Manchester City has the top spot in their sights, they must beat Luton to achieve that at least, until the other two play on Sunday. (Photo credit: GOAL)
Manchester City vs. Luton TownEtihad Stadium
| Manchester City has the top spot in their sights, they must beat Luton to achieve that at least, until the other two play on Sunday. (Photo credit: GOAL) |
Manchester City will move to the top of the Premier League table, albeit temporarily, if they beat Luton Town at the Etihad on Saturday.
With Arsenal and Liverpool not playing until Sunday, the champions can claim the top spot with what is expected to be a routine win over the Hatters. While the visitors can be stubborn, no one is expecting anything outside of a solid Manchester City win.
Luton Town gives their all in every game, but naivety and squad quality always tell at pivotal stages in games; their 2-1 win over Bournemouth last weekend has given them huge hopes of survival. If they manage to get a point at the Etihad, they will be out of the drop zone, depending on surrounding results.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said his team is tired and in big trouble. He is well known for mind games, but he insists he is struggling to get the lads to continue firing on all fronts. With Real Madrid lurking in midweek, City can afford to rest some players against Luton.
FPL managers could be frustrated as Guardiola prepares for Real Madrid; retaining the treble is something no one has done in England before; the champions are still alive across all competitions; it is crunching time now.
Luton can take the game to the champions like they always do; they typically leave things too late, and that might leave them helpless against a rich side like Manchester City. They won’t get a lot of chances; they must take the crumbs they get on Saturday.
Luton has lots of injury worries. Clinton Morris has delivered the goods in the absence of Elijah Adebayo; he cannot be tired now. Rob Edwards must feel unlucky with his injury woes; Chiedozie Ogbene, Albert Sambi Lokonga, and Gabriel Osho are all unavailable; he must rely on what he has to fight the drop.
The points deduction slammed on Everton and Nottingham Forest should help Luton, but they still sit behind the two afflicted clubs. They can dream of survival, but they must work for it. They often lose concentration at key stages of games; they dare not at the Etihad.
Phil Foden and Rodri are both doubtful about the visit of Luton, but the champions have everything they need to complete the double against Rob Edwards's side. Having beaten them 2-1 at Kenilworth Road last December, City also sent them packing from the FA Cup 6-2.
Verdict: City to win
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