Multiple boosts ahead of Southampton

Injuries clearing up, players recovered from Covid-19, which in itself seems to be retreating for now at least, and even Riyad Mahrez has come back from the African Cup of Nations early.

All good stuff (sorry Riyad)!

v Southampton

St. Mary's Stadium

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

(Number correct from the starting line-up in the last game which, for me blog-wise, was our fixture surrounded by so much uncertainty in the F.A. Cup against Swindon Town: 5/11).

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

_______________________________________________

 

Sterling____________________________________Silva

___________________De Bruyne__________________

_________Foden________________Gundogan_______

 

_____________________Rodri____________________

Cancelo__________________________________Walker

 

___________Laporte____________Stones___________

 

 

____________________Ederson____________________

Subs: Steffen, Wilson-Esbrand, Ake, Dias, Fernandinho, Lavia, Grealish, McAtee, Jesus.

Same ‘back 5’, goalkeeper included, that faced Chelsea last weekend, I would suggest; with Aymeric & John being rewarded with another partnership after they helped to keep a clean sheet against The Pensioners.

Rodders to ‘go again’ also as defensive midfielder and then it’s our usual, fluid, interchangeable, attacking-5 which’ll be made up of Raheem, Phil, Kevin, Ilkay & Bernardo, I reckon.

Zack is the back-up stopper; Josh, Nathan & Ruben are the defensive replacement options on the side…with the latter sure to be ‘chomping at the bit’ the most to get back into the ‘starting 11’. Fernandinho, Romeo, Jack, James & Gabriel (sounds like a strange English / international-mix boy band) make up the midfield / wing / attacking change-options in ‘the 9’.

Notable absences:

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

-       Oleksandr Zinchenko – Still injured with…“a knock”, is what I understand – the “new”, slightly irritating and somewhat vague phrase being used quite often recently. Unknown return date for the Ukrainian; a player who must have some thoughts focussed towards his homeland at the moment…

-       Cole Palmer – It was reported locally just the other day that the England Under-21 international wasn’t seen in training when the press were allowed in and that he may be struggling with an injury.

-       Riyad Mahrez – Back from international duty but he isn’t going to feature in this fixture after international games played and long flights etc.

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

Sure do!

Result? Our host’s recent form is a bit patchwork-like – D W D W L – and although the look of that does suggest signs of improvement and, dare I even suggest, form; it sort of reflects, in some ways, their season so far.

Just 5 wins from 21 league games does sound fairly poor on the face of it and they have lost a third of their Premier League fixtures. However, teams in the ‘top 6’ have lost just as many as Southampton and it’s The Saints’ draw column which catches my eye. 9 in total tells a story of a side whose work rate & organisation often gets them a ‘share of the spoils’ or better; indeed, it was those very qualities against a rather lethargic & misfiring City side which earned them a 0-0 on our patch earlier on in the season.

Our players shouldn’t look at their opponent’s 12^th position in the table (as I type this) and think that this is going to be an ‘easy ride’.

Can you see them doing that? No, neither can I.

In fact, I’ve heard many pundits and fans of other teams quite rightly not just praising our side for the talent that we possess but for OUR incredible work rate; especially when we occasionally lose possession and have desire aplenty throughout the whole side to win the ball back ASAP.

So, for me, it’s a case of two very hard-working sides coming together and IF it then just boils down to who has the greater talent; then it’s a City win for me.

Take our chances; keep their danger men ‘under wraps’ and, crucially also, keep their set pieces – particularly free kicks just outside the area – to an absolute minimum and that’s what I can see the outcome being.

I'm havin' this as an away.

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

Prediction: Draw

Result: Won

(Pre-match blog posting from that game)

Expected weather conditions during the game: As the sun dips in the largely clear sky just before kick-off (5:30pm GMT), the temperature starts to plummet. Pre-match 6s & 7s soon dips to 4 and then 3C soon into the game. Nothing much of a breeze, though but my advice to fans would be to wear layers, a woolly hat ‘n’ gloves…and watch for those potentially slippy pavements after the game. I think we might see the odd player wearing gloves too but it’s a lovely, crisp evening for a game of footy, I would say.