A point’ll do it.

It might not remove the little sting of losing our first league game of the season last Saturday but gaining at least a point tomorrow night to secure top place in our Champions League group table might provide some anaesthetic for those who need it, at least.

 

And, of course, winning is a good habit to get [back] into – it breads confidence and can start ‘runs’ going again.

v Hoffenheim

Etihad Stadium

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

(Number correct from starting line-up in the last game which for me, blog wise, was the Watford game: 9/11).

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

____________________Jesus____________________

Sane___________________________________Mahrez

___________Foden___________B. Silva___________

__________________Gundogan__________________

Delph___________________________________Danilo

__________Otemendi________Kompany__________

___________________Ederson___________________

Subs: Muric, Walker, Laporte, Stones, Fernandinho, Diaz, Sterling.

Disclaimer: I’m doing this predicted line-up, unusually, before any press conference / confirmation of who is & might be available for selection tomorrow evening so there’s definitely room for [more] error…

I think we’ll see some changes for this one – a chance for some to rest & recharge ahead of an early KO home league game and then an away League Cup quarter final match against Premier League opposition.

However, Ederson - who I thought was excellent last Saturday but, who, the Manchester Evening News decided to give just 5/10 in their appalling player ratings piece last weekend – keeps the gloves.

An almost full change of the back line, I would suggest, with Fabian, Nicholas, Vincent & Danilo all starting.

I’m going for Ilkay to get into the 11 and to be the deeper-lying midfielder; ahead of those I think we’ll see both Phil & Bernardo start to help ‘put this one to bed’…but I’d be surprised if Bernardo saw more than 70-minutes play ahead of the weekend and with Both David & Kevin receiving treatment. Joining the midfield department on the wings is likely to be ‘go again’ Leroy on the left and I think Riyad will get another start also on the opposite flank.

Gabriel to come back into the 11 for this one, I would think.

Aro the reserve stopper; Kyle, Aymeric, John & Fernandinho provide cover for right-wing back, central defence and defensive midfield. Brahim & Raheem provide youthful, attacking midfield / wing threats from the bench in a game I’m sure our manager will want to wrap-up early and then ‘see out’ if possible.

Notable absences:

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

-       Benjamin Mendy – Injured for around 9 weeks.

-       Oleksandr Zinchenko – Recovering from a broken nose and return date unknown.

-       David Silva – Tweaked something (hammy I think it was?) last weekend and I’m guessing won’t be ready nor risked for this one.

-       Kevin De Bruyne – Injured for about another 2-½ to 3 weeks.

-       Sergio Aguero – Still apparently recovering from an injury that appears to be taking longer to clear up…but I’d rather he not be risked for this one and I think Pep will feel the same.

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

For this sort of game? Yes indeed. And, if we start the game well and improve our finishing in front of goal, it should allow some of those in the starting 11 to be withdrawn; perhaps giving Diaz a chance for some much-needed minutes.

 

Result? Dust ourselves down form the weekend and start well, as I’ve suggest, and I think this’ll be a comfortable win in the end…albeit one we still can’t be complacent about in this competition (do so and we'll get bitten).

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

Prediction: N/A

Result: N/A

Expected weather conditions during the game: Definitely nippy at around 5C and with an Easterly breeze but it should remain dry throughout at least.