Manchester City aren't used to the Monday night treatment, but that is their reality this weekend as they must watch all their Premier League rivals play before them for a change.
City usually get a primetime Saturday or Sunday slot if they are picked for television, with their last Monday Night Football clash coming 18 months ago for the first game of their 2020/21 season at Wolves when games were spread out due to Covid restrictions.
With Pep Guardiola's first team keeping fans waiting for two more days to continue the title charge, there could be a risk of losing focus in the title race or letting whatever Liverpool do affect preparations. Instead of watching Liverpool at Brighton, though, there are plenty of other City players in action this weekend facing crucial games of their own that can set the right example for the first team.
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Starting on Saturday lunchtime, midfielder Claudio Gomes is on Sky Sports when his Barnsley side, stuck in the Championship relegation zone, take on leaders Fulham. Gomes has had a quiet season on loan in South Yorkshire, but has been getting plenty of game time as the Tykes battle for survival.
Gomes has started ten of the last 11 Barnsley games, giving him the regular playing time he has lacked since joining City as a highly-rated former PSG youngster.
Elsewhere in the Championship, there are three other City loanees taking part in crucial encounters for their teams in the 3pm kick-offs. Tommy Doyle, who missed Cardiff's win at QPR last week with illness, will be hoping to return as they take on Preston, looking to move further away from relegation danger. Before that QPR game, Doyle had started four games
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