Rodri fitness doubt clouds City’s trip to Everton
Manchester City’s preparations for Monday’s Premier League encounter at Everton are dominated by uncertainty over the availability of midfielder Rodri. The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner sustained a calf injury during the 2-1 win over Arsenal and has not featured in the subsequent victories against relegated Burnley or Southampton in the FA Cup semi-final.
Manager Pep Guardiola has indicated that Rodri is “getting better” but has yet to train with the squad. “Always I am confident,” Guardiola said of a potential return, though he stressed he does not want to rush the Spaniard back and risk a longer absence given his recent injury history. A late decision will be made on whether Rodri travels to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Defensive absentees confirmed
City’s other injury concerns centre on two defenders. Ruben Dias has been sidelined since March 17 with an ankle problem sustained in the Champions League last-16 second‑leg defeat to Real Madrid. Guardiola confirmed Dias is “not yet with the team” but is “getting better”; the club expects him back later in May, with a potential return date of 19 May against Bournemouth.
Josko Gvardiol remains unavailable after fracturing his leg against Chelsea on 4 January, an injury that required surgery. Guardiola noted the defender is making progress in rehabilitation, but he will not feature against Everton. Optimism exists that Gvardiol could play before the season ends, possibly on 24 May against Aston Villa, or alternatively in summer 2026.
John Stones, who completed 90 minutes in the FA Cup semi‑final, is reported to be ready for the run‑in without further setbacks.
Everton’s injury list
Everton will be without loanee Jack Grealish, who is unavailable due to a serious foot injury, though his recovery is said to be ahead of schedule. The club has also confirmed that defender Jarrad Branthwaite’s season is over because of a hamstring injury. Striker Beto is available after resuming full training following concussion protocols.
Midfield selection dilemma
Rodri’s potential absence forces Guardiola into the most significant tactical choice of the evening. In recent matches the manager has rotated his midfield heavily. Nico O’Reilly partnered Bernardo Silva against Burnley, while Nico Gonzalez, Mateo Kovacic and Tijjani Reijnders formed a different trio in the cup, with Gonzalez scoring a late winner against Southampton.
If Rodri is not fit, O’Reilly could retain a starting berth in midfield, a role he has filled regularly this season. That would allow Rayan Ait‑Nouri to continue at left‑back. Alternatively, Guardiola might pair Gonzalez with Silva, pushing O’Reilly to the left‑back position. Should Rodri recover in time, the Spaniard would likely start, giving Guardiola the option of Silva alongside him and freeing O’Reilly to play at left‑back.
The attacking unit is more settled. Erling Haaland is expected to return to the starting line‑up after being rested for the FA Cup semi‑final, where he came off the bench. He will be supported by Antoine Semenyo, Rayan Cherki and Jeremy Doku, with Phil Foden dropping out. Gianluigi Donnarumma will be restored in goal, Matheus Nunes continues at right‑back, and the central defensive partnership of Abdukodir Khusanov and Marc Guehi—restored after John Stones and Nathan Ake played in the cup—will start in Dias’s continued absence.
Predicted Manchester City XI
4-2-3-1: Donnarumma; Nunes, Khusanov, Guehi, Ait‑Nouri; Silva, O’Reilly; Semenyo, Cherki, Doku; Haaland.
Title‑race context and head‑to‑head
City sit second in the Premier League with 70 points from 33 games, six behind leaders Arsenal, who have played two more matches. A victory at Everton would reduce the deficit to three points with two games in hand. Arsenal defeated Newcastle 1‑0 and Fulham 3‑0 in their recent league outings, while Manchester United secured a Champions League spot by beating Liverpool 3‑2.
In 200 previous meetings, City have won 83, drawn 49 and lost 68. More recently, City have taken 22 wins from the last 40 encounters, with Everton winning 11 and seven draws. Everton are currently on a 17‑match winless streak against City across all competitions, dating back to Guardiola’s debut season. City have won the last two meetings, both 2‑0.
The match kicks off at 8pm BST on Monday 4 May 2026 at the Hill Dickinson Stadium and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event. Everton, 11th with 47 points from 34 games, remain in contention for European qualification.
