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This match marks the first meeting between the two teams since late August when Rodri's 88th-minute goal secured a 2-1 victory for Manchester City at Bramall Lane. Just five days after securing their first-ever Club World Cup title, Manchester City returned to Premier League victory by overcoming a 1-0 deficit to beat Everton 3-1 at Goodison Park on Wednesday night.
Despite falling behind to a first-half goal from former player Jack Harrison, second-half strikes from Phil Foden, Julian Alvarez, and Bernardo Silva enabled Pep Guardiola's team to claim three points, propelling them back into the top four and narrowing the gap to leaders Liverpool to five points.
Despite a brief dip in form between the end of November and early December, Manchester City has won five and drawn one of their last six games across all competitions. However, defensive vulnerabilities persist, with the team conceding in each of their last eight Premier League matches, marking an unwanted record since Guardiola's arrival in 2016.
Heading into Saturday's match, Manchester City has drawn their last three home games in the Premier League, relinquishing six points from winning positions. Nevertheless, Guardiola and his team remain confident of success against Sheffield United, having not lost any of their last 11 Premier League encounters with the Blades and winning the last six.
Sheffield United, currently at the bottom of the table with only nine points from 19 matches, experienced a setback in their last game against Luton Town. Despite initially taking the lead with goals from Oli McBurnie and Anel Ahmedhodzic, they succumbed to a 3-2 defeat after late own goals from Jack Robinson and Anis Ben Slimane. This loss was their 14th of the season.
With 47 goals conceded, Sheffield United holds the unenviable record of allowing the most goals in the Premier League this season. Even excluding the September 8-0 defeat by Newcastle, they have yet to keep a clean sheet away from home.
Despite historical difficulties against Manchester City, Sheffield United has demonstrated resilience in recent years, losing by just a one-goal margin in five of their last six league encounters against the Citizens. This provides a glimmer of hope for manager Chris Wilder that his team can deliver a competitive performance at the Etihad on Saturday.
INJURIES & SUSPENSION
In Wednesday's victory at Everton, John Stones of Manchester City had to leave the field in the first half due to an ankle injury. Guardiola has now confirmed that Stones won't be available for this weekend's match.Erling Haaland (foot), Kevin De Bruyne (hamstring), and Jeremy Doku (muscle) continue to be sidelined. However, Ruben Dias is expected to return to the squad after participating in training this week, having missed the Everton game due to illness.
If Dias returns to the starting lineup, he could take Stones' place in central defense, and Josko Gvardiol may aim to start ahead of Nathan Ake on the left side of the back four. Rico Lewis and Mateo Kovacic are potential replacements for Matheus Nunes in center-midfield. Bernardo, Foden, and Jack Grealish are likely to remain behind central striker Alvarez.
As for Sheffield United, Chris Basham (ankle), John Egan (foot), Tom Davies (thigh), and Daniel Jebbison (illness) are all still in the recovery process. Ahmedhodzic and Gustavo Hamer are suspended for the upcoming game due to accumulated yellow cards.
James McAtee, a loanee from Manchester City, is ineligible to play against his parent club. However, Jayden Bogle is set to return after serving a one-match ban and could start at right wing-back if Wilder opts for a five-man defense.
In the absence of Hamer, Wilder might consider starting Oliver Norwood in a three-man midfield alongside Vinicius Souza and Andre Brooks. In attack, Cameron Archer and McBurnie could form a partnership.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Manchester City possible starting lineup:Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Dias, Ake; Lewis, Rodri; Bernardo, Foden, Grealish; Alvarez
Sheffield United possible starting lineup:
Foderingham; Bogle, Baldock, Robinson, Trusty, Lowe; Souza, Norwood, Brooks; Archer, McBurnie
EXPERT PREDICTION
Manchester City 4-0 Sheffield United
Sheffield United aims to frustrate the home team, as they have in past seasons, but it's expected that Manchester City will eventually find a way to break through their defense and secure a comfortable victory this time.
