Pep Guardiola will need all hands on deck for tomorrow’s crucial Premier League encounter with Everton. A win for the champions could see them rise to the top of the Premier League temporarily and keep pressure on Liverpool and Arsenal. A win would make it 10 consecutive wins in all competitions for the champions. But more importantly, it would maintain momentum as the title race heats up.
On the injury front, the world champions appear to have a clean bill of health. Manuel Akanji returned to the squad for Monday night’s win over Brentford. With the Swiss defender’s return from a knee injury, it means Pep Guardiola will have a full squad to pick from against Everton.
Speaking during his pre-game press conference the City manager wanted his squad ready for tomorrow’s game. He told the media: “Continue what we have done in many years, results maybe not good but our level was more than decent because we were playing good. It’s quite similar. Tomorrow at 12:30 we play a football game so be ready. Since I arrived, Everton always took results here, I don’t know why. Maybe it’s because they are good. We have to be ready.”
Manchester City are in a fortunate position to have a fully fit squad for tomorrow’s game. With everyone available, it gives Pep Guardiola a plethora of options to pick from. With his team also in action next week against FC Copenhagen in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg he may rotate his team with an eye on that crucial game.
But given that three points are a must against Sean Dyche’s whatever eleven Guardiola picks must be ready to do the job. All hands will be required on deck given how important this run of fixtures are for Manchester City.