Some players available again for Everton?

Following Pep’s pre-match press conference not long ago ahead of the early KO tomorrow (12:30pm GMT), it’s still a little ‘wishy-washy’ about who exactly is fit to take any part. 

 

I’ll pick through best I can with predictions then…

v Everton

Etihad Stadium

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

(Number correct from starting line-up in the last game: 7/11).

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

____________________Jesus____________________

Sane__________________________________Sterling

_________Gundogan__________B. Silva___________

_________________Fernandinho_________________

Delph__________________________________Walker

____________Laporte________Otamendi__________

___________________Ederson___________________

Subs: Muric, Zinchenko, Kompany, Foden, De Bruyne, Mahrez, Aguero.

Ederson as [nearly] always.

A strong, I would suggest, back-4 of Fabian, Aymeric, Nicholas & Kyle…although Kyle hasn’t been quite as impressive at times this season (still like him though).

I think we’ll see a return of likely-fit-again & rested, Fernandinho, in front of those; Ilkay & Bernardo get the more attacking, central midfield slots ahead of him with Leroy & Raheem deployed on the flanks.

Gabriel likely to get another start (fingers crossed for the hard-working forward).

Aro the reserve keeper; Oleksandr & Vinny likely to be the only defensive replacement options from ‘the 7’. After that...what a strong, attacking bench in the form of Phil, a likely-returning Kevin, Riyad & returning also Sergio.

Notable absences:

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

-       Benjamin Mendy – Injured for around another 8 to 9 weeks.

-       Danilo – Apparently took a knock at some point and is still feeling ‘the afters’ of that…

-       John Stones – Late fitness test on a knee niggle but I’m guessing he won’t make tomorrow.

-       David Silva – Tweaked something the other weekend and still isn’t quite right. Perhaps another week or so…

-       Brahim Diaz – Not selected (and rumoured to be close to being sold in the next few weeks).

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

Does it for me!

Result? We’ve moved on, I believe, from any Everton hoodoo but they do have players who are dangerous going forward. We definitely need to be ‘on it’ and I do think they’ll test us; possibly even scoring.

However, I think we’ll have too much for them – and I’m impressed with that predicted subs bench should it be needed (likely) – they can leak at the back and, so, it’s a home win for me.

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

Prediction: Win

Result: Draw (a game I recall should never have been a draw for several reasons)

Expected weather conditions during the game: Awful day ahead! However, most of the really ‘rough stuff’ might hold back for fans leaving the ground – it’s gonna be very cold, windy, with the chance of anything from rain, sleet & snow early on. 2C is the highest temperature anyone can expect but it’ll feel even colder than that…

Weather update (15.12.2018): Latest forecast strongly suggests that the bad weather conditions will move in a little earlier and before the match, with snow and freezing rain leaving the ground quite treacherous to walk & drive on. High, very cold winds too. Although MCFC might-well grit the area around the turnstyles, fans travelling to the ground should be very cautious. I'm just wondering what the possibility of freezing rain might have on the pitch; albeit one that has an excellent under-soil heating system...