Predictions v Red Star Belgrade

Injuries and a depleted bench is the same story as last weekend…

v Red Star Belgrade

Etihad Stadium

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

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

A very fluid 4-1-4-1 / 4-2-3-1 / 4-3-3:

____________________Haaland____________________

 

 

_Doku__________________________________Alvarez_

____________________________Foden_____________

_____________Silva_____________________________

 

_____________________Rodri_____________________

Gvardiol__________________________________Walker

____________Ake________________Dias____________

 

 

____________________Ederson____________________

Subs: Carson, Ortega, Gomez, Lewis, Akanji, Phillips, Nunes & Bobb.

12 subs are allowed on the side in this competition but I’m guessing with a number of injuries, the sale of at least one fringe player just before transfer deadline and a number of fringe players loaned out for the season; we’ll see just 8 once again.

Additionally, I think we’re only going to see one change in the starting 11 from last Saturday…

Ederson continues in net.

The one change that I can envisage comes in defence, with Nathan stepping in for Manuel just to ‘freshen it up’ a little; give Nathan a run and Manuel a rest. Joining the Dutch international I’m going for Josko, Ruben & Kyle to ‘go again’.

Rodders just ahead of that pack, while I think we’ll see the same, attacking quartet of Jeremy, Bernardo, Phil & Julian.

Erling up front hoping to have fine-tuned his targeting sight.

Scott & Stefan are the back-up keepers on the side, with Stefan likely to have just two more games as a reserve stopper before getting a starting place away at Newcastle in the 3^rd round of the League Cup on Wednesday 27^th September. Sergio, Rico & Manuel are the defenders in the 8 from 12, while Kalvin, Matheus & Oscar are the midfielders & winger / forward waiting for their chances.

Depending on how the match is flowing and what the scoreline is, I expect Pep will be hoping that he can make a good number of early’ish subs tonight to both rest key players and to give the likes of Gomez, Lewis, Phillips & Nunes a run-out each.

Notable absences:

-       John Stones – Getting better but still not ready for this fixture.

-       Jack Grealish – For Jack, read John.

-       Kevin De Bruyne – Recovering from a torn hamstring / surgery. Expected return around December / January.

-       Mateo Kovacic – For Mateo, read John also.

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

Yep.

Result? I know absolutely nothing about the standard of their league and nothing whatsoever about their side, other than the fact that they currently sit 3^rd in the table after 7 matches played with 5 wins and 2 draws; with the best goal difference in that division after 21 goals for and 7 against, which sounds fairly impressive from so few matches played so far. I’m not doing any more research beyond that, sorry.

As for us, it was a very good performance in general away at West Ham but one full of missed opportunities. Erling alone should have had at least two more, possible three.

Those missed chances, despite the good, overall display, nearly came back to bite us with the home side having dangerous players capable of picking off the opposition the blink of an eye. They very nearly did so on at least two occasions - I think Ederson may have earned some bonus payments last Saturday.

Still, we managed three goals and three very good away points but, in the Champions League, you can ill afford missed opportunities to stick the ball away for fear getting sucker punched by a side you’re not used to facing regularly if ever at all.

Despite having four, very good players out and a reduced bench, I’m guessing; I’m having this down as a home win.

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

Prediction: N/A

Result: N/A

Expected weather conditions during the game: Wet & windy. However, weather warnings of very heavy rain in the area should begin to ease a little for the game as the wet stuff turns a lot lighter. However, the morning & afternoon deluge will be a real test for our usually-excellent pitch and ground staff. 16C is the match temperature and they’ll be a persistent 12 to 14 MPH wind with possible gusts into the 20s. Welcome to the North West of England in September, Star fans.

Solidarity