The Trafford v Manchester derby

v Manyoo

Scaffold Trafford

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

(Number correct from the starting line-up in the last game: 8/11).

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

_____________________Jesus____________________

 

 

Sterling__________________________________Mahrez

__________________________De Bruyne____________

___________Gundogan___________________________

_____________________Rodri_____________________

Mendy___________________________________Walker

 

_____________Stones__________Dias______________

 

 

____________________Ederson____________________

Subs: Steffen, Cancelo, Laporte, Foden, Silva, Torres, Aguero.

Ed back in net.

A back 4 likely to be Benjamin, John, Ruben & Kyle.

Rodders is the main defensive midfielder, I would say, but with help-also from Ilkay in a dual role; Kev the more advance / attacking of the middle trio. Raheem & Riyad are the ‘wide men’.

Gabriel on top of the tree.

Zack steps back to be the reserve keeper; Joao & Aymeric are the defensive options from the side. Phil, Bernardo, Ferran & Sergio are the midfield / wing / attacking subs in ‘the 7’.

Notable absences:

-       Eric Garcia – Injured and out for about 2 to 3 weeks. If the transfer to Barca is still on, could we have seen his last game for City?

-       Nathan Ake – Not selected.

-       Oleksandr Zinchenko – Not selected.

-       Fernandinho – Not selected.

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

Looks good.

Result? When I look at the league table and, specifically, at both records so far; something stands out for me.

We’ve played the same number of games; they’ve lost 1 more than we have, conceded 6 more goals than us and have a worse goal difference by 4 and yet, despite all of that, they sit 1 place and 1 point ahead of us. Do you know what that says to me? They have a side packed with creative & threatening players who have, on more than one occasion this season, pulled Solskjaer’s team out of the s... and that they’re sitting in a slightly false-higher position than their performances perhaps deserve.

They are, quite frankly, bobbins from defensive midfield backwards and if you can guard yourself against their various threats – not least a certain, but not exclusively, Mr Fernandes – then they are there for the taking.

Their last 5 league results of L W W W W suggest that they have found some form but, as I suspected might be the case in my season prediction piece back in September, they’re very, Grand Old Duke of York this season - when they are up they are up, and…well, you get the idea I’m sure. Last Tuesday’s “down” saw them exit the Champions League.

Are we gonna face a ‘wounded animal’ on Saturday or a team still reeling from that cup departure and, perhaps therefore, still-be ‘out of sorts’; knowing that European football for them for the remainder of the season will be played on Thursday nights?

I was reminded recently that Pep’s opposite number tomorrow evening (5:30pm KO GMT) has won 3 of their 5 meetings but for me it’s all about us - if Guardiola picks the right team, unlike he did the last time we visited M16 in my opinion, and he doesn’t overthink this one generally; this is a City win.

That’s what I’m going for.

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

Prediction: Win

Result: Lost

(Pre-match blog posting from that game)

Expected weather conditions during the game: Just as was the case in midweek, morning & early afternoon rain moves away to leave it dry for the game. 6C dips slightly to 5 as the game progresses and there’s nothing of a breeze worth mentioning that might make it feel colder than that for the players & those working in the stadium otherwise.