Two Manchester City stars at huge risk of Premier League suspension

Pep Guardiola is facing the very real possibility of losing two key members of his Manchester City squad to a one-game suspension.

The looming threat comes at a crucial stage of the season, with City entering a demanding run of fixtures across December and into early January. Fatigue, rotation, and increased intensity across competitions often heighten the risk of cautions, placing added pressure on players already walking a disciplinary tightrope.

For Guardiola, maintaining rhythm in the squad while ensuring discipline becomes a delicate balancing act, particularly with several senior names already accumulating cards. City have dealt with similar scenarios in previous seasons, and the nature of upcoming opposition means any enforced absence could have a direct impact on their Premier League momentum.

Fixtures against sides battling relegation, chasing European places, or pushing for mid-table stability require full focus, and Pep Guardiola traditionally prefers consistency in selection during this stage of the campaign.

The threat of suspension is magnified by the specific positions affected, one being integral to City’s control, creativity, and pressing structure, while another a reliable presence between the posts.

Following their respective yellow cards received against Leeds United, both Gianluigi Donnarumma and Bernardo Silva are just one yellow card away from a one-game Premier League suspension due to an accumulation of such cautions.

In his opening 13 appearances for Manchester City in the Premier League this season, club captain Bernardo Silva has received a total of four cautions, while Donnarumma has received the same number of such cards in his opening 10 top-flight appearances.

As such, the pairing would have to avoid yellow cards in all of City’s next six games in the Premier League if they are to avoid a one-game suspension.

Elsewhere, Nico Gonzalez and Phil Foden have received three yellow cards each in Manchester City’s opening 12 matches in the Premier League, giving them slightly more breathing room from the same punishment.

City’s next six matches will see them travel to Fulham, return to the Etihad to take on Sunderland, before returning to the capital for Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Pep Guardiola and his players will then host West Ham before Christmas, before returning from their festivities with away clashes to Nottingham Forest and Sunderland either side of New Year.

Looking ahead, Guardiola may be forced to adjust his rotation strategy to protect key players as the sanction deadline approaches, perhaps managing Donnarumma’s exposure in high-intensity fixtures or reshuffling midfield combinations.

Should either player receive another booking, their one-game suspension could disrupt City’s rhythm, with the title race expected to remain tight deep into the season. Conversely, successfully navigating the next six matches without further cautions would represent a significant boost to plans heading into 2026.