Man City v Luton injury & team news: Six doubts and 11 out of Premier League clash

Manchester City are expected to make several changes for Saturday’s Premier League encounter against Luton Town.

With the game sandwiched between the Champions League double header against Real Madrid, this very much feels like a game City will just hope to get through unscathed. But with Pep Guardiola’s side still engaged in a three-way tussle at the top of the table, picking up maximum points against Luton is a must.

The Hatters caused City real problems in the reverse fixture at Kenilworth Road, when a second-half comeback ensured City grabbed a 2-1 win. Luton also won last time out thanks to a 2-1 victory over Bournemouth, but that was a first win since January. Rob Edwards’ side have also struggled on the road this term, winning just two of their 16 Premier League trips.

As for City, they’re unbeaten in 26 in all competitions, a run that stretches back over four months. It’s therefore a game the champions will expect to win, despite the high number of changes anticipated.

Rodri admitted in midweek that he’s feeling tired and could be in line for a rest, as might the likes of Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish. Guardiola said in Friday’s press conference that he is unsure whether Kyle Walker, Nathan Ake or Phil Foden will be available after recent knocks, but it’s unlikely either of the trio will be rushed back for this game.

Kevin De Bruyne could be back though, after missing Tuesday’s Champions League game through illness, while Ederson is an option after over a month out of the side with a knock.

As for Luton, they could be without 13 players for the game after it was confirmed on Friday that Reece Burke and Teden Mengi are doubts. Edwards also revealed that none of those who missed the Bournemouth game will be back this weekend, which includes Tom Lockyer, Gabriel Osho, Mads Andersen, Dan Potts, Amari'i Bell, Marvelous Nakamba, Sambi Lokonga, Chiedozie Ogbene, Jacob Brown and Elijah Adebayo. 

Issa Kabore is also ineligible to face his parent club and means that of the 10 defenders listed in Luton’s squad, only two are definitely available: Daiki Hashioka and Alfie Doughty.

Doubts: Walker, Ake, De Bruyne, Foden (City); Burke, Mengi (Luton). Out: Lockyer, Osho, Andersen, Kabore, Bell, Potts, Nakamba, Lokonga, Ogbene, Brown, Adebayo (Luton).