It’s all about the points.

What a difference this game could make in deciding who might finish where, even though it’s still-only December.

 

A win for us will see us move to within 1-point of this evening’s visitors; a draw keeps us 4 points off and an unthinkable defeat will put us a considerable 7 points off a very much in form side.

 

The last scenario could see us having to look over our shoulder and contemplate a scrap for 3^rd this season…

v Leicester City

Late again releasing a pre-match post and with a busy day ahead with a planned hobble around the shops for ‘last minute stuff’ - having been knocked off my bike on Thursday night - I’ll just crack on; aching limbs an’ all…

Etihad Stadium

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

(Number correct from starting line-up in the last game: 7/11 in the League Cup game).

Fluid 4-2-3-1 / 4-5-1 / 4-3-3:

____________________Jesus____________________

___Sterling__________________________B. Silva___

_________________________De Bruyne___________

___________Gundogan_________________________

____________________Rodri_____________________

Mendy__________________________________Walker

__________Fernandinho_____Otamendi____________

____________________Ederson___________________

Subs: Bravo, Zinchenko, Cancelo, Stones, Foden, Mahrez, Aguero.

Ederson back in net following the League Cup fixture, where he took a 'back seat'.

Pep should be aware of Leicester’s pacey players and fast-attacking play in general and, so, I think he’ll go for as much pace as possible on the flanks of the defence; that being Benjamin & Kyle. Fernandinho & Nicolas likely to be in-between those.

Rodri will need to have another good game protecting those but I’m guessing that he may not be completely alone in doing so – I’m basically going for Guardiola to go with what worked so well at Arsenal recently, with Ilkay ‘in there’ also and Raheem, Kevin & Bernardo, I think, as an attacking 3 behind Gabriel.

Claudio back on the bench tonight; Oleksandr, Joao and a possible & surprising return for John make up the defenders on the side. Phil, Riyad and a welcome return for Sergio are our attacking change-options from ‘the 7’.

Notable absences:

-       Angelino – Not selected.

-       Aymeric Laporte – From last we heard; the French defender should be about 3 to 5-weeks away from a return.

-       David Silva – The ‘knock’ he took a few weeks ago would appear to have been worse than first reported and, we are told therefore, he’s not fully recovered and might not be available for this game. Next match, apparently, he should be okay. I’m just wondering if he’s being given some rest and ‘sharpness training’ in order for our midfield legend to get his ‘edge’ back as we continue through this busy fixture list period and has David himself begins his last 6 months at the club…

-       Leroy Sane – Having returned to training this-week-gone, he continues to do so ahead of a hopeful, early-to-mid January return.

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

If Pep’s idea is to ‘keep ball’ and attempt to prevent those fast-pace attacks from The Foxes then I can see why - and agree to-having - Ilkay ‘in there’. Otherwise, I’d be tempted to sit Rodders SO deep at times that he practically becomes a 3^rd, central defender and then have the pace of Phil instead of the ball control of Ilkay.

As for the left-wing back slot; he’s no slouch pace-wise either and, so, I still think I’d be more comfortable with Oleksandr instead of Benjamin.

Result? I simply can’t see Leicester not scoring and I hope it’s just one because, if you excuse them leaking 2 goals in the League Cup in midweek, their defence is pretty damn good too – best in the league in fact!

It’s all about whether we are absolutely on our ‘A game’ and if we are, we can beat almost anyone in Europe and, so, that must be our aim and we shouldn’t be thinking anything other than winning this one.

Of course, I’d need a time machine to find out if we’re going to play to our 100% capability but I have seen encouraging signs from us of late, so I’m going to assume that we will bring that 100% to the table today. That being the case, I’m going for a hard fought, entertaining, goal-filled home win.

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

Prediction: Win

Result: Win

(Pre-match blog posting from that game)

Expected weather conditions during the game: Calm and dry, with temperatures around 6 or 7C. With a warm coat on, it’s a nice, pre-Christmas night for a game of footy.

Any thoughts on the Arteta move?

Thank you and good luck fella. Just don’t give away ALL our secrets and tactics, hey?

Have a great Christmas all and thank you, as always, for taking the time to read!