Early January? A do or die game?

Well I think any fan who says that would be justified in some ways; even one who's followed football for years and will-have-no-doubt witnessed big-points-gaps slashed, even in the latter months.

 

But should we lose tomorrow, can you see this Liverpool side dropping 10+ points in the months to come? Well unless they have an injury crisis to a lot of key players and hit the roughest of rough patches, then I can’t. 

 

So, it’s a ‘must not lose’ scenario we’re facing tomorrow night (a Thursday?!). 

 

In order to get this posting out in time, I’m gonna have to release it before any confirmation of who is and isn’t available.

v Liverpool

 

Etihad Stadium

 

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

(Number correct from starting line-up in the last game: 6/11).

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

____________________Aguero____________________

Sane____________________________________Mahrez

___________D. Silva_________De Bruyne___________

_________________Fernandinho___________________

Danilo___________________________________Walker

_____________Laporte________Stones_____________

____________________Ederson___________________

Subs: Muric, Zinchenko, Otamendi, Gundogan, B. Silva, Sterling, Jesus.

Ederson in between the sticks.

I’ve got a feeling that our manager might feel more secure with Danilo at left-back for this one, with Kyle taking up his usual right-back slot. Aymeric & John, possibly our best pairing, should be in-between those for this one.

Having come through most of the game last Sunday, the ever-so-important Fernandinho in front of those 4…and will need to be at his best against the red storm sure to hit us in the first 20 to 30 minutes of the match at least. Hoping to create a storm of our own, however, an impressive 4 of Leroy, David, Kevin and, I think, Riyad provide our attacking combinations.

Sergio to complete our threat.

Aro the reserve stopper; Oleksandr & Nicholas the defensive replacement options from the side. Ilkay (if recovered), Bernardo, Raheem & Gabriel the creative / attacking players waiting to get their chance.

Notable absences:

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

-       Benjamin Mendy – Injured for around another 7 to 8 weeks.

-       Vincent Kompany – Not selected.

-       Fabian Delph – Serving the second of a 3-match ban.

-       Brahim Diaz – Not selected and probably throwing the last of his things into his suitcase, having already apparently selected number 21 for his soon-to-be, new team.

   - Phil Foden - Not slected in favour, if fit, of Gundogan.

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

I’d have to say it’s about the best defensive line-up we can muster and I understand, also, if he did-indeed start with Riyad instead of Raheem against a side the England man just doesn’t seem happy to face, for some reason. In other words, yes.

Result? On current form this one looks like and away win for sure – they’re on fire and we struggling to regain momentum following a stuttering & spluttering period of game...and despite an away win last Sunday against a fairly poor Southampton.

But we have ‘the Fern’ back and I’m guessing Kevin was omitted from the squad last weekend in readiness to unleash him against The Reds - we have our 'A Team' in the middle of the park, at least.

All things considered, I’m going for a draw – a result, in their position, some Liverpool fans might take if offered before the game and an outcome some City fans might also grab all things considered; leaving us, as it would, “only” 7-points behind our visitors with plenty of games to go.

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

Prediction: Draw

Result: Won (hoping for the same, wrong prediction as last season!)

Expected weather conditions during the game: Cold. I mean...literally freezing with temperatures forecasted to start at 0C for KO and shifting to -1 as the game progresses. No rain or winds though so a fine, crisp evening for footy. Deffo warm coats and hot food & drinks for the fans (or beer for the hardier).