City v Brighton – F.A. Cup semi-final preview.

Well…we’re here again! It’s great, of course, but I feel sorry for the fans who are currently paying out so much money.

 

“Victims” of our own success? Yes, I would say...and I agree with all those who have that very-same standpoint (and there have been some neutrals who have said just-so recently) and not with those who choose / continue to scathe at some of our home attendances and unsold tickets otherwise. 

 

Narrow-minded morons and nothing more…

v Brighton & Hove Albion

Wembley

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:

____________________Jesus_____________________

Sane____________________________________Sterling

__________D. Silva______________B. Silva__________

___________________Gundogan___________________

Danilo____________________________________Walker

_____________Laporte________Otamendi____________

_____________________Ederson____________________

Subs: Muric, Mendy, Kompany, Fernandinho, De Bruyne, Mahrez, Aguero.

Ed has the gloves.

I think we’ll see Danilo switch defensive flanks from the last outing with Kyle on his usual side, despite playing 70+ minutes in Wednesday night’s clean & professional victory. Aymeric to ‘go again’ but likely, I think, to be joined by Nicholas this time.

Ilkay is likely to, ahead of a nod to Tuesday night’s away trip to Spurs in the Champions League, start in the defensive midfield slot; rested in midweek David & Bernardo in the more-attacking central midfield roles ahead of him. Leroy & Raheem likely to provide the attacking width, I would make a strong guess about.

Gabriel to lead all of those and should enjoy the open spaces Wembley can provide.

Aro in there in case something happened to Ederson; Benjamin could make the bench for this one along with Vincent as defensive replacement options. Fernandinho “in case needed”; Kevin should be “comeback managed” with a bench spot and joined by Riyad & [injury managed also] Sergio as the attacking options from the side.

Notable absences:

-       Claudio Bravo – Continues to train in his comeback rehabilitation process.

-       Oleksandr Zinchenko – Injured and could be back in around 10-days’ time, which, thankfully, isn’t as bad as it first looked last Wednesday.

-       John Stones – Not selected / rested ahead of Tuesday.

-       Fabian Delph – Injured.

-       Phil Foden – Not selected after his first, Premier League start 3-days earlier.

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

That’ll do for me!

Result? Beware some recent-history Wembley games against, so called, weaker opposition / 'should beat' teams? Well...I always say respect the ‘oppo’ and don’t get complacent. Stoke ran us quite close and don’t forget 'that' Wigan final.

Our south-coast opponents have well & truly earnt their place in the last 4 of this competition and I’m sure, buoyed by a trip to our national stadium and backed by thousands of fans, they’ll be fighting all the way.

In my opinion we have, quite rightly, seen off 2 teams in the Premier League of late by also, very wisely, reserving energy after an opening ‘blitz’ and as long as we use that energy tomorrow evening to-not-let that standard drop; this should be a Manchester victory for me.

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

Prediction: N/A

Result: N/A

Expected weather conditions during the game: Nothing really happening – cool’ish, at 11C; a little overcast but little chance of rain.