Rodri Return Could Boost Manchester City's Title Challenge This Season

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Pep Guardiola is preparing for a crucial spell as Manchester City chase major trophies, while Rodri moves closer to a return from injury. Rodri has been sidelined since mid-November with a hamstring problem, but Guardiola hopes to have the midfielder available soon as City look to maintain pressure in the Premier League title race.

Rodri’s fitness is still under review before the Nottingham Forest match, yet Guardiola is eager to restore the player to the squad. "Rodri is much, much better. Available or not, we'll decide [on Friday]." The injury has been another setback in a demanding season, though City have continued to collect points without Rodri in midfield.

Manchester City sit second in the Premier League, two points behind leaders Arsenal heading into the Forest fixture. A victory over Nottingham Forest on Saturday would move City above Arsenal for a few hours at least, before Mikel Arteta’s team meet Brighton later that day. City enter the weekend on a strong run after winning five successive league games.

According to the Opta supercomputer, Arsenal are given a 67.1% chance of taking the Premier League title, with Manchester City rated at 25.4%. Guardiola accepts the narrow gap and ongoing chase. "I'd prefer to be 10 points clear of everyone, but it is what it is. Arsenal's doing really well, but we are there. We're still in the end of December," Guardiola told the club's website.

City also remain active in every other competition. Guardiola said: "The Champions League, we are up there, and the Premier League we are there, semi-finals of the (EFL Cup), we start the FA Cup soon. Some important players are coming back, so let's (see) step by step, game by game, what's going to happen."

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Guardiola recently warned that players would be weighed after Christmas Day to confirm their readiness to face Forest. The coach then admitted that the squad met expectations, even if Guardiola joked about personal indulgence. "I earn four or five kilograms more for the amount of food and drinks that I have drunk, so it is really good," Guardiola said.

Guardiola praised Manchester City’s squad for long-term professionalism around fitness and lifestyle. "[The players] have been incredibly disciplined since 10 years ago. Last season, for the injuries that we had was a little bit more difficult, but always they behaved unbelievably. All the players I had in the last decade, and that is not an exception today." Guardiola added: "We have a standard as a clubeverybody knows exactly what they have to do."

As Manchester City push across the Premier League, Champions League, EFL Cup and soon the FA Cup, the return of key players such as Rodri and the squad’s consistent discipline give Guardiola confidence. The title race with Arsenal remains tight, yet City’s position, form and squad depth keep them firmly in contention heading into the new year.