Dean Smith is likely to reintroduce Jamie Vardy in the place of Kelechi Iheanacho for their crunch clash with relegation rivals Everton this evening (8 pm).
Vardy ended his six-month Premier League goal drought at Leeds on Tuesday after coming on as a substitute, but may now be tasked with leading the line with Iheanacho injured. Manager Dean Smith revealed on Friday the Nigerian will miss Monday’s game – but did not rule him out for the rest of the campaign.
Having given plenty of public support to Vardy, he is the obvious man to turn to for Smith, albeit Patson Daka could also be an option. The Zambian, however, has played a wide role in his past two appearances, and there may be an opportunity for him there too.
Tete was one of City’s poorest performers against Leeds, struggling to get into the game after a difficult start in which he was dispossessed a couple of times. If Smith feels he needs to come out of the side, Daka could come in, although it would be a change of flanks from where he’s been operating over the previous two games.
Dennis Praet has been the man to replace Tete off the bench on the right-hand side, albeit only at the ends of matches, but he too could be considered for a place in the team against Everton.
Another who struggled at Elland Road was Victor Kristiansen. The young Dane was beaten regularly by Jack Harrison, who provided the cross for the Leeds goal. Kristiansen also had a tough time in Smith’s first game at Man City, and on that occasion, he was substituted at the interval for Luke Thomas.
However, on Tuesday, there was no place for Thomas on the bench. Deciding between the pair will be something Smith considers for Monday’s game. Otherwise, there are unlikely to be too many changes. Smith likes the center-back partnership of Caglar Soyuncu and Wout Faes, while Youri Tielemans had his best game since returning from injury, with Boubakary Soumare also making strides.
Harvey Barnes did not have his best game on Tuesday, but after two weeks out with a hamstring issue, he was not expected to be at the top of his game, and it’s likely he will still be in the line-up come Monday. Smith said on Barnes: “It was always the plan that he would get 60 to 70 minutes in the first game back from a soft-tissue injury. He’s come through it unscathed. He had a big chance early on that he was disappointed with. He’s always a threat.”
Predicted City line-up (4-2-3-1): Iversen; Castagne, Faes, Soyuncu, Kristiansen; Soumare, Tielemans; Tete,
Maddison, Barnes; Vardy.
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