Just back from holiday and with lots to do / still to do before our first Premier League game tomorrow, this’ll be a quick, standard pre-match blog-posting.
v Arsenal
 |
| Emirates Stadium |
Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:
Fluid 4-1-4-1 / 4-5-1 / 4-3-3:
____________________Aguero____________________
__________________Fernandinho__________________
____________________Ederson___________________
Still so
hard to predict this line-up, with some players only having returned to
training after both a long season and long World Cup likewise. However, Pep seems to think that those late arrivals have
hit the ground running in training and look fit already / are available for
selection and, so, apart from 1 injury he’s suggesting that he has a full squad
(minus his frustration at youngster Douglas Luiz
not being allowed a work permit for the second season running).
Ederson likely to regain the gloves for this encounter at the Emirates.
A likely back-4 also to include Benjamin, John, Vincent & Kyle.
Fernandinho ahead of those and ahead of him, Leroy, David, Kevin and a
Premier League debut for Manchester City, Riyad.
Sergio to lead the line ahead of that threatening & creative bunch
of champions.
Claudio, who had a very good pre-season I thought, returns to the bench;
the defensive replacement options include Aymeric, Nicholas & Fabian,
although the converted left-wing-back is also in there as cover for Fernandinho.
The more attacking options come from Bernardo Silva who, if I am correct, can count himself very unlucky indeed to be on
the side; Raheem & Gabriel.
Notable
absences:
Do I agree with Pep’s (predicted)
line-up?
Personally, I’d go
with the very much-deserved Bernardo on the right instead of our new signing, Riyad (taking nothing away from Mahrez...apart from a start in this game), but apart from
that, I think it would be a really strong side to take to North London – our ‘top guns’
against The Gunners.
Result?
For a few weeks leading up to the start of the season I saw this as a high-scoring
draw and part of me still thinks that’ll be the case. However, having seen how
well a slightly weakened City team performed in the Community Shield win,
I’ve been nudged towards this one being an away win, albeit against a team of
players who have had more of a summer rest and, I think, with goals at both ends. Should be a cracker!
Last season’s,
corresponding pre-match prediction and result…
Prediction: Draw
Result: Win
Expected weather conditions during
the game: After
previously predicting a couple of pre-match showers followed by a dry and
reasonably sunny spell for the game, the forecast has changed considerably and
after soaking the fans before the game, the game itself looks like it’ll be
played under cloud too; with around a 25% chance of more of the ‘wet stuff’. 64F
too makes this forecast seem more like a typical British summer rather than the
one most of us have been used to over the last 2 months, which is a real shame
for all. A Greasy pitch could also make for added interest.
I think we will be better this season than last season. Hopefully Mendy stays fit he looks a player, strong, athletic, good vision and final ball is spot on. I can see Bernado starting agaist Arsenal. I see him stepping it up this seasn with the experience of a year in the premier league behind him. Mahrez will be a great back up player who can play on either wing and as a number 10. I see Pep playing 3 at the back against the lesser teams and playing more forward minded players. Prediction against Arsenal will be 3-1 for City. CTID
ReplyDeleteHi Pablo. It may seem like a lazy reply but the truth is that I agree with all of your points, which are well made. Excellent stuff.
DeleteThank you for reading and for taking the time also to comment. Much appreciated.