…leapfrog one of our title rivals and go 2 points clear of ‘em on the eve of April.
That sounds simple enough, doesn’t it? 🤪 Of course, it isn’t, and this could…could be a ‘make or break’ result for either side in the race for the ‘big prize’ in May.
It’s a huge game for sure!
v Arsenal
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| Etihad Stadium |
Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:
(Number correct from the starting line-up in the last game: 8/11).
A very fluid 4-1-4-1 / / 4-5-1 / 4-3-3 (perhaps an occasional 3-6-1):
____________________Haaland____________________
_Grealish__________________________________Silva_
__________De Bruyne__________Foden_____________
_____________________Rodri_____________________
Gvardiol__________________________________Akanji
_____________Ake______________Dias_____________
____________________Ederson____________________
Subs: Carson, Ortega, Gomez, Lewis, Kovacic, Nunes, Bobb, Doku & Alvarez.
Ederson has been back in training; I’m not sure for how long but he has been passed as free from injury and I’m guessing he will start this afternoon.
With two defensive injuries largely dictating the back line, I’m going for Josko, Nathan, Ruben & Manuel to start; with the Swiss international being asked to cover at right-back for the injured Kyle.
Rodders just in front of those.
I think we’ll see an attacking quartet of Jack, Kevin, Phil & Bernardo all providing service for ‘front man’ Erling.
We could see two stoppers on the bench later today, in the form of Scott & Stefan. Sergio & Rico are the only defenders on the side; Mateo, Matheus, Oscar & Jeremy are the midfielders / wingers in ‘the 9’. Julian is the back-up striker.
Notable absences:
- John Stones - Injured. It’s his leg abductor, as far as I understand it, and there’s no estimated return date as yet.
- Kyle Walker – Injured. Kyle’s issue is hamstring related, as far as I know, and it could take a little longer than John to recover, we were informed on Friday.
Do I agree with Pep’s (predicted) line-up?
I think this is the perfect game for Grealish to start – we need to keep The Gunners off the ball as much as possible and Jack does bring extra possession to the side, as opposed to the direct, attacking style of Doku, for example.
As for Walker’s replacement, natural right-wing back, Rico Lewis, might be left feeling a little sorry for himself if he’s not selected to start but I just get the feeling that Pep will prefer the experience of Akanji for such a big game; despite the fact that the 28-year-old is a central defender.
Result? There really isn’t too much for me to say in this section and on this occasion; such is the terrific form both sides are in. Yeah…it’s gonna be a crackin’ match and quite-likely a very close game.
As I say, both sides are packed with threatening players, so possession is key here – which ever side can keep the ball away from the other the most will stand a better chance of winning it.
I’m feeling as confident as Pep looked relaxed in his pre-match press conference and I’m going for a City win.
Last season’s, corresponding pre-match prediction and result…in an almost identical scenario:
Prediction: Win
Result: Won
(Pre-match blog posting from that game)
Expected weather conditions during the game: Decent. Light cloud / some sunshine and 12C is the forecasted temperature. There's a bit of an easterly breeze which might make 12C feel more like 10 or 11 but it’s not too bad at all…and it’s DRY at least.
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| Solidarity |
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