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Manchester City takes on local rivals United this weekend in the local Manchester derby, coming into it out of form, plagued by injuries and in something of a crisis.
Pep GuardiolaThe team have won just one of their last 10 matches, losing seven and are fourth in the Premier League table. Respected – but they are currently looking over their shoulders, not in front of them.
The loss of The golden ball winner Rhodri is huge. They have struggled to replace him, with his replacement Mateo Kovacic also currently out.
Guardiola bemoaned Rodri’s absence while highlighting the fitness struggles of Phil Foote – Player of the year for last year – this term. Foden has started just six of 15 Premier League games so far.
Then there is Nathan Ake, Manuel Akanji, John StonesOscar Bob. The situation is not ideal. But what are they complaining about?
Premier League injury table provided by Sky Sports in fact, it shows that five teams have done worse than City this season – including a team above them.
Manchester City go into this weekend’s Manchester derby in poor form and in an injury crisis
Ballon d’Or winner and team anchor Rodri is out for the season as he had an ACL problem this season
Meanwhile, Manuel Akanji (left) and John Stones (right) are also currently injured
| Club | Injuries |
|---|---|
| Brighton | 17 |
| Ipswich | 17 |
| Arsenal | 16 |
| Tottenham | 16 |
| Aston Villa | 15 |
| Manchester City | 14 |
The table shows that City have had 14 injuries this season that have resulted in a player missing or more. That’s one fewer than Aston Villa and two fewer than Tottenham and Arsenal, while Ipswich and Brighton top the list with 17 each. West Ham had the fewest with five.
The numbers include players who have suffered a host of injuries this season, with Arsenal at times without the likes of captain Martin Odegaard and defender Gabriel.
For Brighton, meanwhile, Solly March is yet to play this season, while Jack Hinshelwood, James Milner and Ferdi Kadiolgu are out with longer-term injuries.
Villa have been without Leon Bailly and Jacob Ramsey in recent weeks, with Amadou Onana and Ezri Konsa also among those to miss games.
It’s a similar story when it comes to days lost due to injuries. City are seventh for that – behind Crystal Palace, Arsenal and, most notably, runaway leaders Liverpool.
Next up are Brighton, Ipswich, Tottenham and Villa.
In total, Brighton lost a whopping 638 days to injury, with Ipswich second on 530 and Palace third on 444. City’s tally was 372. West Ham lost the fewest with 141.
Liverpool are 382 while Arsenal are 406.
However, the numbers show that Brighton fared worse, losing 638 days to injury
Arsenal move ahead of City in terms of both games missed and days lost to injury – the Gunners have been without captain Martin Odegaard for most of the season
Tottenham have lost more days to injury than anyone above them except Brighton
| Club | Days |
|---|---|
| Brighton | 638 |
| Ipswich | 530 |
| Crystal Palace | 444 |
| Tottenham | 408 |
| Arsenal | 406 |
| Liverpool | 382 |
| Manchester City | 372 |
Guardiola is likely to point out the importance of the players who have been lost this season.
“We are playing without the best player at the Ballon d’Or, Rodri… and without the best player in England last season, Foden,” he said in his pre-derby press conference.
“No team can play without central defenders, without the Ballon d’Or and the best player of the PL for the whole season”.
Absentees are relative to each team, but ultimately it suggests that the team was not managed as well as it could have been. The Spaniard continues to look for a solution.
