Man City proved they have champions mentality in Everton game
Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City showed the mentality of champions in their fightback at Everton and remain in the title race despite dropping two vital points.
City missed the chance to move back within three points of Premier League leaders Arsenal as they drew 3-3 at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday.
Gvardiol is ready to play
A final injury update from Pep Guardiola who also spoke about defender Josko Gvardiol.
“He’s [Gvardiol] training and feels good,” said Guardiola.
“It’s been many months, last season he was the important player for us with many injuries, he plays all the games, but the body says at one moment enough is enough.
“We are happy he’s back. Hopefully he can help us in the last part of the season and have a good World Cup with Croatia and next season we can have him again at his best.
“He’s an important player, central defender, full-back, can play different roles, he’s so fast and quick.”
Guardiola’s update on Rodri
There is no certainty around Rodri’s inclusion today and Pep Guardiola confirmed as much in his press conference on Friday.
He said: “We’ll see this afternoon. We have survived without him for many months.
“Still he doesn’t feel completely comfortable and when he will be ready to come back we’ll see this afternoon, hopefully tomorrow.”
Foden ‘did well’ against Everton
More from Guardiola who explained that Foden’s return against Everton went well.
“He had good minutes and movements against Everton,” said the City boss.
“We talk about it. Phil, what is your biggest quality as a player? Turn and go and attack the box, don’t lose that.
“He is not a player to control the game. Your quality is being a machine to attack the ball with a sense of assist and goals.
“It happened two or three times against Everton in a tough moment when we were one or two down, it’s not easy but he did really well.”
No doubts over Foden
“I said many times, there’s no doubts about Phil [Foden] and his impact,” said Pep Guardiola in Friday’s press conference.
He added: “He’s a homegrown player from the Academy who’s been massively important in our seasons together.
“I wish from the bottom of my heart he can come back and play his best years with us and help to continue the team to be what it deserves to be.”
How Bournemouth, Brentford and Brighton could qualify for Champions League this season
It is the second consecutive year that the Premier League has earned an additional spot, with the English top flight at the top of the European Performance Standings (EPS) after its clubs reached the final of all three European competitions.
Brentford early team news
Jordan Henderson is set to have some involvement in a significant boost for Brentford. Vitaly Janelt is also nearing a return, but Rico Henry is not ready yet.
Predicted Brentford XI: Kelleher; Kayode, Van den Berg, Collins, Hickey; Jensen, Yarmolyuk; Ouattara, Damsgaard, Lewis-Potter; Thiago.
Man City early team news
Manchester City remain without Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol, though both are nearing a return, and Rodri continues to battle a groin problem. Mateo Kovacic may come into Pep Guardiola’s starting midfield.
Predicted Manchester City XI: Donnarumma; Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, O’Reilly; Kovacic, Silva; Semenyo, Cherki, Doku; Haaland.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.
A live stream will be available via Sky Go and NOW.
