Manchester City’s Erling Haaland is fit to play at home to second-placed Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday, manager Pep Guardiola said, adding that midfielder Rodri could also return from injury to play.
Haaland, who leads the league with 11 goals in nine games, clattered against the post in the final minutes of City’s 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa last week, taking what Guardiola called «a blow».
The 25-year-old Norwegian striker was one of several regular starters who did not feature in City’s 3-1 win over Swansea City in the fourth round of the League Cup.
Rodri has not played since suffering a hamstring injury at Brentford before October’s international break, the latest setback in a return for the Spaniard since a serious knee injury 13 months ago.
“I think he (Rodri) will be ready to help,” Guardiola said on Friday. «I don’t know if he can play from the start, but hopefully he can be with us.»
City sit fifth in the table, six points behind leaders Arsenal and two ahead of Bournemouth, and need a response in their title challenge.
Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth side have come as an early surprise, unbeaten in eight league games for their best ever start at the top level.
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Guardiola praised Bournemouth striker Antoine Semenyo, who is joint second with Brentford’s Igor Thiago with six goals each.
«It’s not just this season that the way Bournemouth plays suits him (Semenyo) perfectly. He is an extraordinary player,» Guardiola said.
Sunday also marks midfielder Phil Foden’s 200th appearance for Manchester City.
“It was an honor for me to watch these 200 games and the impact he made for us and the club of his heart,” Guardiola said. “It is a nice milestone, especially for his age (25).”
The City coach declined to comment on whether Foden deserves an England recall when manager Thomas Tuchel announces his squad ahead of the World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania next week.
“That’s a question for Thomas,” Guardiola said. «He has to play as well as he can. English players are fantastic and there are many in his position. He has to play well every day and then Thomas will decide what is best for the national team.»
England have already qualified for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Published on October 31, 2025
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