Manchester City players set to sleep at club's training facilities ahead of Boxing Day clash against Everton
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola opened up on the side's decision for the players to sleep at the training ground ahead of their Premier League clash against Everton. The Spaniard outlined their schedule, saying in their pre-match press conference (via The Mirror):
"We train today (Tuesday), we train tomorrow (Wednesday) night, we will stay over here and we are going to play on Boxing Day," Guardiola said.
The Cityzens are set to play in the earliest kick-off among the Premier League's Boxing Day fixtures. Their game at the Etihad Stadium against the Toffees is set to begin at 12:30 PM local time. Manchester City's players will spend Christmas morning at home before heading to the training facilities. They will then spend the night there in preparation for the clash.
This move comes as Pep Guardiola's run are in the midst of a horrid run of results. With just one win in their last 12 games across all competitions, the side have slipped to seventh in the Premier League. They are already 12 points off leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand, and need to find form quickly if they hope to get back into the title race.
Everton, meanwhile, are coming off a couple of great results. Sean Dyche's men have held Arsenal and Chelsea to goalless draws on the trot. They will be hoping to pile on the misery when they travel to face Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola asserts Manchester City need to use Erling Haaland better
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola suggested that needing to provide Erling Haaland with better service was a key need for the side to get back into form. Ahead of their clash against Everton, the Spaniard noted (via press conference):
"When Erling was so prolific, it was about us, the team. But when you have problems at the back and middle, it is all about the team. Not just one player. If it's just one player, it would be easy to see the reason why. It's not about that.
"Erling is so important for us and will be so important for us. We need to use him better."
Haaland is second in the list of Premier League top goalscorers this season with 13 goals, two behind Mohamed Salah. However, the Norwegian has just one goal in his last six league games.
This run has coincided with a free fall for Manchester City down the table, having collected just one win in their last eight games in the league. Guardiola's men will be hoping to get back to winning ways against Everton.