Injuries increasing ahead of West Ham

It’s been over a week since I’ve posted for reasons explained and, so, what’s happened since? Well, we only came back from 2-1 down to win 2-3 away in the Champions League and added another League Cup trophy to our cabinet; a trophy we’ve retained, which is ‘a first’ for our fabulous football club! Not bad, hey? 

 

But we’ve done so by gathering a few [more] injuries to key players and as well as understandable fatigue; it remains to be seen who is fit to take part in our Premier League game at home tomorrow night against West Ham United.

v West Ham United

I’d love to talk about the League Cup final ‘n’ all - risking not getting this out today - but I need to ‘crack on’ with this because if I leave it until getting home from work tomorrow, they’ll be little time before KO…

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 Newport game: 8/11).

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

___________________Aguero____________________

Sane__________________________________B. Silva

__________D. Silva__________De Bruyne__________

__________________Gundogan___________________

Zinchenko________________________________Danilo

___________Otamendi______Kompany_____________

____________________Ederson___________________

Subs: Muric, Mendy, Walker, Delph, Foden, Sterling, Mahrez.

Some “have to” go again; some rotation I would think…

Hero Ed in net.

Young enough to recover from Sunday, I would suggest; Oleksandr (my man of the match in the final) to start on the left of defence. Danilo likely to start on the opposite side. Will Vinny have-had enough time to recover? Don’t forget, in a way he almost played a full-90, what-will-be, just 3 days earlier. I’m putting him in there. Nicholas will have to put in another shift.

Ilkay likely to be the deeper midfielder along with withdrawn [on Sunday] David & Kevin likely to start ahead of him in midfield. Leroy should be fresh to start on the left of attack and although Riyad would be a fresh option also; I think Pep will hope for another fine performance from Bernardo.

Serg to head all of those.

Aro the reserve stopper; Benjamin is a possible return to ‘the 18’ along with Kyle & Fabian for defensive replacement options. Phil, Raheem & Riyad are the more forward, attacking options from the bench.

Notable absences:

-       Claudio Bravo – Continues his rehab following serious injury.

-       Aymeric Laporte – Injured for an unknown length of time.

-       John Stones – Close to a return but not ready.

-       Fernandinho - Injured for an unknown length of time.

-       Gabriel Jesus – Like John, close to a return but not ready.

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

About the best we can put out and, yes, it looks decent and gets a ‘thumbs up’ from me.

Result? The Engineer v the already Engineered. The former might look at those injuries with some optimism and, sure enough, there are some defensive blows there that our visitors could exploit. They have players who can damage opponents for sure too and this will be another test for sure. Close game, I would think, but I’m going for us to edge it. A home win.

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

Prediction: Win

Result: Win

Expected weather conditions during the game: Fine, clear evening and not too cold either at around 8C.