Why is Erling Haaland not playing for Manchester City against Luton Town?

Erling Haaland will miss out on Manchester City’s trip to Luton Town in the Premier League on Sunday 10 December (KO 9 a.m. ET / 6 a.m PT.).

The Norwegian striker will not feature as Manchester City look to get back to winning ways having not gained all three points in any of their last four games. Haaland is the league’s top scorer with 14 goals, 3 ahead of Salah in second. They currently sit fourth in the Premier League standings, seven points behind leaders Liverpool.

The news, first reported by The Athletic, did not give a reason for the player’s absence, although an injury is suspected.

Haaland had, until the fixture at Kenilworth Road, started every league game for the treble winners so far this season.

Pep Guardiola says City expectations are ‘unfair’

Pep Guardiola was asked about Manchester City’s recent form which has seen them draw against Chelsea, Liverpool and Spurs before losing to Aston Villa: “There is only one team that is going to ‘fail’ to win the Premier League” he said, “and that is us. For the rest, it is a big success. Any team... In the end, if they don’t win — Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, everyone — it is normal because City should win. It is unfair. It is difficult to handle that every week, every three days, for years and years.”

Ruud Gullit, winner of the 1987 Ballon d’Or, spoke to AS during the week about the Premier League title race, saying that “there’s no patience in the Premier League, nobody has patience. There is a lot going on in the Premier League because the level is so high and it’s so difficult to remain at the top. There are six teams that all want to win.”