Manchester City vs Coventry City: The citizens aim to stay flawless against Coventry

In their bid to continue their winning streak, Manchester City host the newly promoted Coventry City at the Etihad Stadium.

The Citizens put on a dominant display in their gameweek two match with a commanding win against Crystal Palace. 

The Sky Blues, on the other hand, arrive at the Etihad with two losses and no points to their name.

Saturday’s clash marks the first meeting between these two clubs in any competition since March 2002, when City ran out 4-2 winners at Maine Road in a second-tier fixture under Kevin Keegan, with both clubs then playing outside the top flight.

Their last meeting in the Premier League came back in the 2000-01 season, when both sides were relegated together.

 Remarkably, City are winless in their last eight top-flight meetings with Coventry (four draws, four defeats), with their most recent victory over the Sky Blues at this level coming in a 1992-93 double.

Team News

City’s form so far this season has been built on the back of Rayan Cherki, who scored twice and was named man of the match against Crystal Palace, with Erling Haaland also on target in both games so far. 

With a fully fit squad to choose from, Enzo Maresca could hand a debut to deadline-day signing Enzo Fernández, who reunites with his old manager at the Etihad.

The Italian spoke regarding the transfer window:"We are very happy with how we closed the transfer window. Enzo [Fernández] and Iliman [Ndiaye] give us immense tactical quality. Whether they start tomorrow is something we will evaluate, but they are fully ready to contribute.”

Fernández arrives as part of a jaw-dropping £125 million deadline-day spending spree by City, which also saw the arrival of Everton recruit Iliman Ndiaye to complete a massive summer overhaul. 

This is undoubtedly Coventry City’s toughest test since returning to the top flight, and with several key injury issues plaguing the squad, the clash becomes that much harder.

Forward Haji Wright remains out for the foreseeable future with a thigh injury, meaning the visitors lose their primary force at the Etihad. 

Right-back Kaine Kesler-Hayden is sidelined with a thigh issue of his own, while center-back Luke Woolfenden is also unavailable after picking up a knee injury.

Frank Lampard’s options remain light, but he did receive a double fitness boost with both Frank Onyeka and Sidiki Cherif reported to be fit and available to make the matchday squad, after they missed the defeat to Hull. 

With that in mind, their readiness to start will likely be assessed closer to kick-off.

With so many key figures missing, Taiwo Awoniyi and Jack Rudoni remain the most productive outlets left in a stretched side. 

The Sky Blues will be encouraged by their manager to play with bravery whilst acknowledging the daunting task of visiting the league leaders. 

Predicted line-Ups

Manchester City: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Abdukodir Khusanov, Rúben Dias, Joško Gvardiol, Marc Guéhi, Nico O'Reilly, Elliot Anderson, Phil Foden, Rayan Cherki, Erling Haaland, Antoine Semenyo

Coventry City: Carl Rushworth, Milan van Ewijk, Aurèle Amenda, Bobby Thomas, Jay Dasilva, Matt Grimes, Frank Onyeka, Loum Tchaouna, Jack Rudoni, Ephron Mason-Clark, Taiwo Awoniyi