League Cup v Wycombe Wanderers

Lots of changes to predict for this one, of course, and straight to it…

v Wycombe Wanderers

Etihad Stadium

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

(Number correct from the starting line-up in the last game: 9/11).

Fluid 4-1-5-0 / 4-6-0 / 4-3-3:

______________________________________________

____________________Torres____________________

 

Foden__________________________________Mahrez

 

__________De Bruyne________Palmer____________

 

_____________________Lavia____________________

Wilson-Esbrand__________________________Walker

______________Ake____________Mbete___________

 

 

____________________Carson____________________

Subs: Steffen, Cancelo, Burns, Fernandinho, Edozie, McAtee, Delap.

I believe it’ll be Scott who takes up the gloves tonight but, of course, I could be wrong. I’m pretty confident that it will be though.

Massive change to the back 4 with Joshua, Nathan, Luke & Kyle making up that quartet.

Romeo to step in as the defensive midfielder, I would say, with a more-familiar attacking 4 / 5 of Phil, Kevin, Cole, Riyad & Ferran.

Zack is quite-possibly the reserve stopper, having returned from quarantine; Joao & Finley are the 2 defensive replacement options from ‘the 7’. Fernandinho, Samuel, James & Liam make up the midfield / wing / striker options from the bench.

Notable absences:

-       Ederson – Not selected.

-       Benjamin Mendy – Suspended by the club until further notice.

-       Aymeric Laporte – Injured.

-       John Stones - Injured.

-       Oleksandr Zinchenko - Injured.

-       Ruben Dias – Not selected.

-       Bernardo Silva – Not selected.

-       Ilkay Gundogan – Injured.

-       Jack Grealish – Not selected.

-       Raheem Sterling – Not selected.

-       Rodri – Injured.

-       Gabriel Jesus – Not selected.

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

Yep – a good mix of experience and youth with some key players getting a much-needed run out as they continue their return from injury whilst others, similarly, get a much-needed rest ahead of the weekend.

Result? Our opponent’s form is a little all over the place but still they find themselves just 2 points off the top of League One in 5^th place after 7 games; with a game in hand over some around them. Conceding 7 goals in 7 games suggests that they’re a fairly tight, organised side and have 10 league goals to their name in that time. I’ve also heard today from a co-presenter on a radio station who watched The Chairboys at the weekend that they are a physical side who also like ‘the long ball’.

I’ve no idea if they’ll put out their strongest side tonight in order to have as-best-a-go at us as they can or whether they too will make changes.

As for us and OUR presumed change of personnel; we should still be too strong for our visitors…although with the suggested alterations at the back that we could-indeed make, they might just sneak a goal. It’s a home win for me and could…COULD be by a cricket score.

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

Prediction: N/A

Result: N/A

Expected weather conditions during the game: Chilly, as you’d expect after the sun goes down in September. 12 / 13C and a bit of a breeze too will have most fans reaching for a warm coat and perhaps a warm drink as well. I’m sure the players will appreciate the cooling air though, as they exert themselves for 90+ minutes.