Erling Haaland is one of four Manchester City players who are at risk of possible suspension as a result of accumulating five yellow cards before game week 19.
Premier League rules stipulate that any player earning five yellow cards from their side’s first 19 matches will serve a one-match ban in the competition.
As Manchester City prepare to face crucial fixtures against Chelsea, Manchester United, and Spurs in their next three Premier League matches, Pep Guardiola will be wary of the risk of missing key players.
The Sky Blues, who could be ten points behind league leaders Arsenal come Thursday’s fixture at Stamford Bridge, dropped points for a second successive home game on Saturday.
The city had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Frank Lampard’s Everton, leaving their Premier League title hopes finely balanced.
Upcoming league clashes with Chelsea, United, and Spurs are set to be defining for City, with the Blues having a particularly poor recent record against the latter.
Manchester City travels to Stamford Bridge on Thursday night and then faces Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday 14th January.
Tottenham visits the Etihad Stadium on Thursday 19th January, just five days after the Manchester Derby.
Full-time against Spurs will mark the end of City’s 19th game week and the point at which accumulating five yellow cards wouldn’t incur a suspension.
As a result, four members of Guardiola’s squad, including striker Erling Haaland, are at risk of suspension.
Haaland and Joao Cancelo both have been booked three times so far this season while Bernardo Silva and Rodri have both been shown yellow cards on two occasions.
Yellow cards are not carried over to the FA Cup or Carabao Cup, with City having upcoming fixtures in both competitions during the next month.
