Jamie Carragher, along with other Premier League pundits, predicted Pep Guardiola’s side would win their fifth consecutive title this season before the start of the season.
A few days ago, the Liverpool legend backed Manchester City again to walk away with the Premier League title this season, claiming they have an edge over their main competitors.
However, this prediction of Manchester City matching on for their fifth consecutive Premier League title might change largely due to the injury to Manchester City defensive midfielder Rodri.
The Spanish international limped off in the first half of Manchester City’s 2-2 draw against Arsenal with a ligament injury to his right knee. The initial accent on the extent of Rodri’s injury, though not confirmed, suggests he could be out of action for the whole season.
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Rodri has been an integral part of the Manchester City team under Pep Guardiola, and Manchester City hardly loses a game with the Spaniard on the pitch.
What is Jamie Carragher’s Premier League title prediction following injury to Rodri?
Speaking on Stick to Football, brought to you by Sky Bet, Carragher said: “I would say 50/50 now. They never lose when he’s playing.
“I think having Rodri out is more of a blow for the Champions League than the Premier League. Those Quarter-Final, Semi-Finals – that role of the sitting midfielder, going away from home and controlling the games.”
Who is going to replace Rodri in Manchester City’s Lineup?
Following Rodri’s absence at the start of the season, Mateo Kovacic slotted in perfectly into the number six role, and Manchester City went undefeated. Another player who can play the Rodri role is John Stone, who is currently not on the team. Pep Guardiola prefers the centre-back partnership of Ruben Dais and Akanji.
Jamie Carragher continued: “John Stones has never really played there. He’s played there drifting in [from defence] so he might go back to that because he hasn’t done that for a while.
“John Stones isn’t actually in the Man City team at the moment, he hasn’t been for a little bit of a time. [Manuel] Akanji and [Ruben] Dias look like the two centre-backs.
“Might then Akanji go to one of the full-back positions and John Stones goes central and steps into midfield so he’s in there alongside Kovacic or [Ilkay] Gundogan?
“First game of the season at Chelsea, Rodri wasn’t playing. Kovacic was in there, he’s a good player.”
Everyone will be watching how Manchester City lineups in Rodri’s absence when they face Newcastle at St. James Park on Saturday.
