Clarets defensive flood turning into a slow seepage…

The often-stubborn Lancashire team were uncharacteristically letting in goals at the start of the season like I’ve not seen for a long, long time; possibly stretched / distracted by their early-season venture into Europe.

 

However, since they exited the UEFA Cup, they’ve tightened the screws a little and in their last few games have turned the torrent of conceded goals into a drip of, largely, just one-per-game. 

 

So, we can possibly expect another tight affair against our visitors of-us-having-to-be patient; with the added “wall” of a certain, ex-City keeper to face, who, I’m sure, will want to prove something in front of his ex-boss (despite his current boss saying otherwise in his pre-match presser).

v Burnley

Etihad Stadium

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

(Number correct from starting line-up in the last game: 8/11).

Fluid 4-1-4-1 / 4-5-1 / 4-3-3 (and perhaps even 2-7-1 at times when we really have to press):

____________________Aguero____________________

Sane____________________________________Sterling

___________D. Silva___________B. Silva____________

__________________Fernandinho__________________

Mendy____________________________________Walker

______________Stones_______Laporte______________

____________________Ederson____________________

Subs: Muric, Otamendi, Delph, Foden, De Bruyne, Mahrez, Jesus.

Ederson in between ‘the sticks’.

With a quite-obvious defensive mindset of our visitors, it makes more sense than usual to utilise the attacking prowess of Benjamin on the left-flank of our defence; likewise Kyle on the right. In between those, I see starting places for both John & Aymeric.

Fernandinho to sit in front of those 4; Leroy, David, Bernardo & midweek, England hero Raheem provide the quite frightening attacking force from the midfield / wings.

Sergio to head all of those.

Aro is the reserve stopper; Nicholas proves cover for the central defence. Fit again Fabian should make the bench as cover for both left-back and midfield while Phil, the fit again Kevin (yaaay!) & Riyad make up the more attacking midfield / wing options from the side. Gabriel is the replacement striker of course.

Notable absences:

-       Claudio Bravo – Injured, long-term / possibly the rest of the season.

-       Danilo – Apparently picked up an ankle injury on international duty and could be out for a month’ish.

-       Vincent Kompany – Not selected / could see action in midweek.

-       Ilkay Gundogan – Injured for about 2 to 3 weeks.

Do I agree with Pep’s (predicted) line-up?

Very strong line-up – very pleased with that predicted 11 & subs.

Result? Patience lads…again. I’m sure they’ll bed-in and ride many City storms and, with little attacking threat from them - I say in the hope of not putting a hoodoo on us – I think Mendy could be key to help open-up our visitors.

I can’t see them scoring, as I've suggested, and as long as we’re ‘on it’ and keep at ‘em; I can see us eventually scoring 2 or more. It’s a City win for me.

Last season’s, corresponding pre-match prediction and result…

Prediction: Win

Result: Win

Expected weather conditions during the game: Even if the sun doesn’t show, which it might as the afternoon progress, it’ll be unseasonably warm at around 60F and dry.