Changes & doubts ahead of game

It’s been a packed few weeks of games either side of an international break (only a break for some of our lads of course) and, so, I can see some changes for this home game against 8^th-place Bournemouth this afternoon.

 

That’s not to say I, we, our players nor Pep himself should take this game as ‘a given’; in fact, huge respect to our visitors for continuing to stick in & around the top 3^rd group of teams…and that’s despite 3, back-to-back league defeats! 

 

But there are some players who just need some flippin’ time out ahead of a busy, Christmas (I’m allowed to say it as it’s the December 1^st) period of games and with doubts over some of our players ahead of this one too, it’s gonna be hard for me to predict.

v AFC Bournemouth

Etihad Stadium

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

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

Fluid 4-5-1 / 4-3-3:

____________________Aguero____________________

Sane____________________________________Sterling

___________D. Silva____________Foden____________

____________________Delph______________________

Zinchenko_________________________________Danilo

___________Kompany________Otamendi____________

____________________Ederson____________________

Subs: Muric, Laporte, Stones, Fernandinho, Diaz, Mahrez, Jesus.

Ederson first on the team sheet, of course.

Here’s a changed back-4, if I’m correct, with Oleksandr asked to play again after our 2-2’er in midweek; Danilo gets a start and on his preferred right-hand-side and in between those, I think we’ll see an old-familiar pairing of Nicholas & Captain Vinny.

Fabian to step into Fernandinho’s role as defensive midfielder; David likely to be asked to ‘go again’, I’m sure, and I….THINK we might see a start for Phil, who many believe should have been given a run-out to some degree in France last Tuesday (and I agree). On the attacking flanks is likely to be Leroy & Raheem, who will be back out wide where he belongs (midfield just didn’t seem to work for him in the last game).

Although he could do with a break himself, I think we’ll see Sergio start again and perhaps be withdrawn early on in the 2^nd half if possible.

Aro the reserve stopper; Aymeric & John provide the defensive replacement options (with options also to reshuffle the pack at the back from players in the starting 11). Fernandinho as defensive midfield insurance, while Brahim, Riyad & Gabriel (if deemed okay) provide the more attacking options form the side.

Notable absences:

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

-       Benjamin Mendy – Injured for around 10 weeks.

-       Kyle Walker – One who even looks, at times, like he needs a break and, so, that’s what I’m predicting.

-       Ilkay Gundogan – Just unsure but as he can be a big fragile; if there is any doubt then I’m guessing he won’t be risked.

-       Bernardo Silva – Such a key player to risk with Kevin still out so if there IS a doubt, I’m assuming that he won’t be risked at all ahead of an away, league game just 3 days later.

-       Kevin De Bruyne – Injured for about another 4 weeks.

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

Everyone in their place and can’t see any weaknesses there!

Result? With a changed back-4 and players such as Ryan Fraser, Callum Wilson & Joshua King who can hurt teams, there is an argument to suggest that The Cherries might breach our usually, tight defence. And they’re a hard-working, organised bunch too.

But we’re on fire at the moment and despite any possible personnel changes, we’re just gonna have too much for these at home and over the 90+ minutes.

It’s another 3 points for us.

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

Prediction: Win.

Result: Win.

Expected weather conditions during the game: Dull, wet, slightly chilly (around 9C) and with a bit of a breeze. Yuk!