…make it 2 wins from 2 (in all competitions).
v Watford
Straight
to this one…
 |
| 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 Norwich City game: 10/11).
Fluid 4-1-4-1 / 4-5-1 / 4-3-3:
____________________Aguero____________________
_____________________Rodri_____________________
__________Fernandinho______Otamendi___________
____________________Ederson____________________
I am posting this before our manager’s
pre-match press conference, so there’s a little more chance for error.
Some
rotation to rested [in midweek] players for this one, I think. However, not
with Ed of course…although if he continues to get a ‘rush of blood’
and head off one-third-of-the-way up the pitch again, that situation could
change if Pep gets irritated by it.
I think we’ll see the same back-4 as was in midweek; with Oleksandr & Kyle either side
of Fernandinho & Nicolas, I would suggest.
Rodders, perhaps with more of an eye on the defence that he perhaps
would have in "normal" circumstances, in front of those.
Ahead of the Spanish defensive midfielder is a likely quartet of Raheem,
David, Kevin & Bernardo.
Sergio to return ‘up top’.
Claudio on the side (waiting to see if our ‘Number 1’
will go wandering again) as our back-up stopper; Benjamin & Joao are the
only defensive replacement options from ‘the 7’. Assuming he has recovered from
an illness bug that sidelined him recently; Phil to join Ilkay, Riyad &
Gabriel as our more attacking change possibilities.
I’m sure Pep would like to include a central defender on the subs bench
but, should he include Eric Garcia and Phil is well enough to take part; the young England man would likely be the one to
step out of the match-day squad to make room…and there’s increasing calls from a
lot Blues and England fans, in general, for him to get more
game-time-consideration. It’s a tough one…
Notable
absences:
- Leroy Sane – Now expected to be
ready around January 2020, which is better news than the initial February / March
return-estimate!
Do I agree with Pep’s (predicted) line-up?
I won’t deny that the
centre of our defence looks like it lacks a little pace and if memory serves, when
Watford came to the Etihad last season, they looked to have some pacey,
threatening attacking players who broke from all angles whenever we lost the ball
for short periods.
But, apart from that,
I’m absolutely fine with that and should circumstances feel right, I think we’ll
see Mendy & Cancelo get some more minutes on the pitch tomorrow.
Result?
After an AWFUL start and a change of manager (AGAIN!) this season, The Hornets rallied in
their last game; coming back from 0-2 down to draw 2-2 with Arsenal.
They will have re-gained a little more ‘bounce’ in their step as their confidence
will have gone up a notch, I’m sure.
I think they’ll pose a threat and, like last
season's home game against these, I think they might nick a goal (it ended 3-1 to us after a 0-0 scoreline at
half time).
But after the Norwich defeat last weekend,
which might have served a an early-season ‘slap across the face’; we looked
much more composed in our 0-3 win in midweek; even if the home side rarely
tested our altered defence.
We should have too much for our visitors and
so, for me, it’s a home win. Come-on Chelsea on Sunday!
Last season’s,
corresponding pre-match prediction and result…
Prediction: Win
Result: Win
Expected weather conditions during
the game: It’s not uncommon for September to be a decent month, even in the North West of England but, still, a forecast of 74F and unbroken sunshine is heartening for to soul. Inside the stadium, 74F should feel more like 80, so leave your jackets at home and don’t forget your shades!
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