Pep Guardiola looks on during Manchester City's 2023 UEFA Super Cup against Sevilla in Piraeus, Greece, Aug. 16, 2023. (Photo by Panagiotis Moschandreou/Xinhua)
Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola will be absent from the Premier League this weekend.
LONDON, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Pep Guardiola will be the main absentee from the Premier League this weekend as the Manchester City coach recovers from a back operation in his hometown of Barcelona.
Assistant coach Juanma Lillo will take Guardiola's place in the dugout as City make the short trip to play a Sheffield United side that has started their return to the top flight with consecutive defeats.
Kevin de Bruyne and John Stones are both out for City, but Bernardo Silva should have shaken off illness to be able to celebrate the contract extension he signed earlier in the week.
The round of matches kicks off on Friday with Chelsea, who are still looking for their first win under Mauricio Pochettino, at home to newly-promoted Luton Town. It looks to be a big ask for Luton, despite Reece James, Carney Chukwuemeka and Mykhailo Mudryk joining Chelsea's long injury list during the week.
Two new Premier League coaches go head-to-head on Saturday, as Andoni Iraola's Bournemouth entertain Tottenham Hotspur, whose 2-0 win at home to Manchester United last weekend was a boost for Ange Postecoglou's attacking brand of football.
Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou (C) instructs his players during an open training session in Singapore, on July 25, 2023. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua)
James Maddison has slotted in well at Spurs, and although Bournemouth impressed early on at Anfield last weekend, the visitors should be too strong for them.
Fulham look to be in early-season trouble, with Aleksandr Mitrovic's departure leaving them without their top scorer for the past two years, although they will welcome back midfielder Joao Palhinha for their difficult visit to Arsenal.
The Gunners cruised to relatively straightforward wins over Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace without hitting their top level, and with Gabriel Jesus perhaps fit to return to the subs' bench, they should enjoy another comfortable victory.
Manchester United have looked off the pace at the start of the season, and with Mason Mount injured and new signing Rasmus Hojlund still not fully fit, coach Eric ten Hag has to decide if Marcus Rashford starts at center-forward or on the left against a solid Nottingham Forest outfit, while Christian Eriksen could get another chance in midfield.
Pep Guardiola (C) exchanges views with Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag (R) during the 2023 FA Cup Final. (Xinhua)
Brighton continue to impress with eight goals in two games so far, and they entertain a West Ham side bouncing after a 3-1 win over Chelsea last week in a game where James Ward-Prowse made an instant impact.
Brentford and Crystal Palace face off in a south London derby, with the home side showing there is life without the suspended Ivan Toney as Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo have five goals between them.
Everton and Wolves play in what is already looking like a decisive game for both sides, who have started with consecutive defeats. Everton have looked especially weak and are not helped by an injury list that includes Jack Harrison, Seamus Coleman, Alex Iwobi and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Liverpool have looked slightly fragile in midfield and defense in their opening games and face a stern test away to a Newcastle United side that looks equipped to dominate the center of the park.
The visitors also have rumors over interest in forward Mohamed Salah from Saudi Arabia to contend with.
Finally, Burnley are back in action after last week's visit to Luton was postponed due to work on Luton's ground. Vincent Kompany's side lost 3-0 at home to Manchester City on the opening day but showed signs they can cope in the elite, although Aston Villa will provide a stern test of their Premier League survival hopes. ■
