Man City XI vs Brentford: Haaland leave, predicted lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest | OneFootball

Rodri could be set for his first game of the season in Saturday’s clash

Manchester City are set to be boosted by the return of Rodri for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Brentford, but Erling Haaland may skip the game through compassionate leave.

"You are a legend, Ivar," Haaland wrote on Instagram. "Words cannot describe how much you meant to me! Words cannot describe how much you will be missed! Thank you for everything, you madman. We will see each other again. Rest in peace, Ivar."

Asked on Friday about Haaland’s availability, Pep Guardiola said: “It’s a tough moment for him and his family. Our thoughts are with him and all of his family.We will see tomorrow if he is mentally and physically able to play.”

Erling Haaland remains a doubt

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Meanwhile, Rodri has not yet played this season following his Euro 2024 excursions and could be joined by the returning Phil Foden, who has managed just 45 minutes on the opening weekend before being sidelined through illness.

Neither have been missed so far, with Pep Guardiola’s side top of the table with three wins out of three, but with the Champions League starting this week, and the visit of Arsenal next Sunday, the return of two key men has come at an ideal time.

It is not all positive news, however, with Nathan Ake set for an extended spell on the sidelines with a suspected hamstring injury he picked up on international duty with the Netherlands. Guardiola confirmed on Friday that the defender is out until after the next international break in October.

Nathan Ake has been ruled out for weeks

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Elsewhere, new signing Savinho is likely to come back into the squad having missed the 3-1 win at West Ham on August 31st but may miss out on a starting spot to Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish.

Grealish will be looking to continue his promising start to the season, with both club and country, against the Bees, who have proved to be a tough matchup for the champions in recent seasons – they completed the double over them in 2022/23.

Erling Haaland, scorer of seven goals in the first three league games, is aiming to become the first player in the Premier League era to hit hat-tricks in three consecutive games, and will lead the line at the Etihad.

Predicted Manchester City XI: Ederson; Lewis, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol; Rodri, De Bruyne, Bernardo; Grealish, Doku, Haaland

Doubts: Haaland, Foden, Savinho

Injuries: Ake, Bobb

Time and date: 3pm BST on Saturday, September 14, 2024

Venue: Etihad Stadium