Some rotation, I would say; one…

…forced.

 

Pep’s pre-match press conference has just finished so how do we look ahead of Cardiff City at home tomorrow night?

v Cardiff City

Etihad Stadium

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

(Number correct from starting line-up in the last game: 10/11).

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

_____________________Jesus_____________________

Sane____________________________________Mahrez

__________D. Silva____________De Bruyne_________

___________________Gundogan___________________

Mendy____________________________________Danilo

_____________Laporte_________Stones____________

_____________________Ederson____________________

Subs: Muric, Zinchenko, Kompany, Fernandinho, Foden, B. Silva, Sterling.

Ederson continues with the gloves.

I’m going for Benjamin to be given this home game as his [latest] return, with Danilo being given a run-out on the opposite flank of the defence also. Aymeric should keep his place but, possibly, joined by the returning John in-between those I would say. Almost a new-look back-line!

Ilkay continues to fill-in for Fernandinho ahead of our F.A. Cup semi-final on Saturday; Kevin continues his comeback matches and joined by David in the middle and slightly ahead of the German.

Ilkay & Riyad, both rested & largely so last weekend, provide the attacking width and all supporting Gabriel.

Aro the back-up stopper; Oleksandr & Vinny are the defensive options from the side. Fernandinho to continue his return from injury from the bench again with Phil, Bernardo & Raheem in ‘the 7’ for more attacking change-options.

Notable absences:

-       Claudio Bravo – Back in training now, so close to a return.

-       Kyle Walker – Not selected / rested ahead of Saturday.

-       Nicholas Otamendi – Not selected / rested ahead of Saturday.

-       Fabian Delph – Injured.

-       Sergio Aguero – Injured and may be back for the weekend or midweek next week.

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

Another strong line-up and although I agree that we have to re-introduce Benjamin at some stage - and that this feels like the right opportunity to do so - it’ll be interesting to see how he works with Leroy up & down the left. Other rested / rotated players, if I’m correct of course, makes perfect sense to me also. Yep.

Result? Their manager will be screaming for all sorts from the side, of course, and they’ll need all the refereeing decisions they can get...could I be so bold as to suggest?

No complacency; no focus whatsoever on Saturday and more hard work from us should see this as a home win, which is what I'm going for.

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

Prediction: N/A

Result: N/A

Expected weather conditions during the game: Chilly (4 or 5C), a little breeze but likely to remain dry.

Hyperlinks incomplete on this one.