Data predicts how many points Manchester City will lose in the Premier League due to the absence of Rodri
Manchester City are reportedly expected to play the remaining games of the 2024-25 season without the presence of their midfielder Rodri after he suffered a serious knee injury against Arsenal on Sunday (September 22). Rodri was substituted in the first half of City’s 2-2 draw with the Gunners after colliding with Thomas Partey, and he was replaced with Mateo Kovacic.
With multiple reports claiming the Spanish midfielder is likely to be ruled out for the rest of the season, it leaves Pep Guardiola and Manchester City with an uphill task. The 28-year-old has proved to be a stalwart in the Cityzens' midfield, playing an integral role in the club’s success in recent years.
While City are yet to confirm the severity of his injury, he was seen in Barcelona on Monday, with reports claiming that he is undergoing further tests. Speculations are now rife on what the future holds for Manchester City and how they will cope without the Spaniard in their ranks.
The Cityzens are on the course of winning a fifth consecutive Premier League title this season, but stats have given a clearer picture of that possibility following Rodri's absence.
According to Opta, Manchester City have lost only 11 percent of their games that Rodri played since he made his debut in 2019 and have lost 24 percent of the games he has missed since his debut. Going by this, the Cityzens have won 2.36 points per game with the Spanish midfielder and 2.04 without him.
City currently sit at the summit of the Premier League table with 13 points after 5 matches. If the Spanish midfielder misses the rest of the season at the same points per game, then Pep Guardiola and his boys will end the 2024-25 EPL season on 80 points rather than the 91 they would win if Rodri was with them.
Finishing the season with 80 points could prove costly for City given the number of points that teams have been using to win the EPL title lately. The last time a team won the Premier League with 80 points was in the 2010/11 season when Manchester United under Alex Ferguson finished nine points ahead of Chelsea and Manchester City.
What Pep Guardiola said after Rodri’s injury in Manchester City draw with Arsenal
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola shared his thoughts on Rodri following their 2-2 draw with Arsenal, calling him "strong". The Spaniard manager said after the game (via GOAL):
"I don't know, I didn't speak to the doctor. [But] Rodri is strong. He leaves the pitch in this action because he felt something, otherwise he stays there. He's the best holding midfielder in the world, He is a potential Ballon d'Or winner, I would love for him to win."
City will next be in action against Watford today (September 24) in the third round of the EFL Cup.