Verdict: Manchester City win and over 3.5 goals
Best Odds: 5/4
Bookmaker: Bet365
Huddersfield begin life without David Wagner on Sunday when they welcome champions Manchester City to the John Smith’s Stadium.
Huddersfield
Starting with the hosts, with long-standing boss David Wagner ending his time at the John Smith Stadium earlier in the week, things really couldn’t be going any worse for Huddersfield. Already sat rock bottom of the table and 10 points adrift of safety, the Terriers are almost universally tipped to face the drop this season. Coming off the back of a lackluster 0-0 draw with fellow strugglers Cardiff last week and also crashing out of the FA Cup at the hands of Championship outfit Bristol City, the hosts have failed to win any of their last 10 matches across all competitions. Losing nine of those games on that winless run, Huddersfield have the worst home record in the top flight, earning just five points out of a possible 33. Along with slumping to a 6-1 hammering when they travelled to the Etihad in the reverse fixture, the Terriers do hold a very worrying record in West Yorkshire. They have lost their last four home matches, equalling the club top-flight record set from December 1934 to January 1935.
Team News
Mark Hudson will select his first Huddersfield line-up since being named as caretaker head coach.
Captain Tommy Smith could return from a hamstring injury after being an unused substitute in the draw against Cardiff.
Manchester City
As for Sunday’s visitors, while Liverpool’s dramatic 4-3 win over Crystal Palace may have seen Pep Guardiola’s side once again chasing a seven-point deficit, the mood in Manchester City’s camp will be on a high. Coming off the back of another routine showing in their 3-0 win over Wolves last week, the Sky Blues have won their last five matches on the bounce, including their last three Premier League appearances. Now scoring a remarkable 24 goals on their winning run, City also hold the best-attacking stats across Europe. The former Barcelona boss will be incredibly excited by the form of Brazilian international Gabriel Jesus. The 21-year-old has now scored five goals in his last two matches for the defending champions. Along with shinning in the final third, many around the Etihad will also be impressed by City’s recent defensive record away from Manchester. The visitors have conceded just seven goals away from home in this season’s Premier League; no team has let in fewer.
Team News
Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany is a doubt with a muscle problem but manager Pep Guardiola has no other fresh injury problems.
Left-back Benjamin Mendy, who has had a knee injury since November, is nearing a return but is not yet ready.
Key Factors to Consider
- Huddersfield were thumped 6-1 by Manchester City in the reverse fixture earlier this season.
- The Terriers have also failed to win any of their last 10 matches across all competitions, losing 10 of those outings.
- Manchester City have scored 19 goals in their last three games in all competitions – that’s one more than Huddersfield have managed in their last 36 matches in all competitions.
- The only goal Manchester City have conceded in 2019 came against Liverpool.
- Manchester City have never lost a Premier League match in which Gabriel Jesus has scored (W19, D1), winning each of the last 17.
Conclusion
On paper, it is almost impossible to see anything other than another overwhelming victory for the defending champions. Given Huddersfield’s issues both on the pitch and David Wagner’s surprise departure, we’re backing Manchester City to enjoy a very successful afternoon in front of goal.
Verdict: Manchester City win and over 3.5 goals
Best Odds: 5/4
Bookmaker: Bet365
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
