Blue chews-daze: When we are up we are up…

…and when we are down we are down.

Here’s hoping for an “up” day… 🤞

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

(Number correct from the starting line-up in the last game which, for me blog wise, was our opening match away at Wolves: 9/11.

A very fluid 4-1-4-1 / 4-5-1 / 4-3-3 (occasional 3-6-1):

____________________Haaland____________________

Cherki_____________________________________Bobb

_________Reijnders______________________________

______________________________ Silva©___________

____________________Gonzalez___________________

Ait-Nouri__________________________________Lewis

___________Stones_____________Dias(VC)__________

____________________Trafford____________________

Subs: Ederson, Ake, Khusanov, Rodri, Nunes, O’Reilly, Foden, Doku, Marmoush.

James continues in net; especially, in my opinion, as we don’t even know whether Ederson will be a Manchester City player come 7:00pm (BST) on Monday 1^st September.

With Rayan-A- being passed fit following last week’s ankle knock, I think we’ll see the same back-4; with John, Ruben and Rico joining the French born, Algerian international.

Looking at central midfield, I think we’ll start with Nico-G- in defensive midfield once again; with Rodders still being slowly nurtured back into games. And I’m predicting also that following last weekend’s showing where I thought Tottenham’s midfield were largely in control; we’ll see Bernardo ‘get the nod’ to start, with Tijani completing the trio. Either side of those is where I’ve gone a little bolder by suggesting that we could see Rayan-C- given the left-wing slot. Cherki is very two-footed and this would allow Oscar to remain on the right; who I’m predicting to start also. Having said that, Oscar can, and has, played on the left also and therefore, as with so many positions all over the pitch, we have options. Obviously with this predicted set-up it’s Marmoush who misses out on a starting place.

Erling up front.

Ederson is likely to provide keeper insurance for this fixture and I’m going for Nathan and Abdukodir as two reserve defenders on the side. Rodri, Matheus, Nico-O-, Phil make up four midfielders in ‘the 9’; Jeremy is a change of wing option, while Omar is our back-up striker. Such is the versatility of a lot of our players, we have Nunes who can act as a right-wing back should that become necessary; O’Reilly, likewise, on the far left of defence and Marmoush who can play left, right and behind the striker in a ’10 role’.

Notable absences:

- Martin Bettinelli – Out injured with a knock. Unknown return date.

- Stefan Ortega – Not selected and could be leaving us in the next couple of days.

- Manuel Akanji – With particularly strong links regarding a move away from our club, I’m going to suggest that the Swiss international won’t be selected in the matchday squad for this fixture.

- Josko Gvardiol – Still out with a knock. No expected return date has been issued and although I initially got the impression that it wasn’t serious and wouldn’t be long; it appears to taking some time to get over whatever the exact issue is. 🤷‍♂️

- Kalvin Phillips – Out with an Achillies injury which is, of course, making it difficult for City to move the England international midfielder out; whether that exit be on loan or permanently. Unknown return date with regards to the injury.

- Mateo Kovacic – Making slow recovery following surgery on an Achilles injury some months ago. Unknown return date.

- Ilkay Gundogan – Not selected.

- Savinho – Going off the initial estimate, the Brazilian winger should now be free from injury and making his way back to first team contention via the training pitch. In fact, our manager said in his pre-match press conference on Friday that a likely return would be after the international break.

In other news this week, regarding the just-turned 21-year-old, City are not interested in selling the player even for £60M+.

Having been with us for just one season - and having only recently received the ‘key to the door’, as the birthday saying goes - I think it’s a good thing; despite the fact that we have a number of other players who can fit into that right-wing position (he can, and has, played left-sided too).

However, in more-recent news, there was a suggestion that, “a source”, has revealed that the player is unhappy at-having a move to Spurs blocked by his employer; as Savinho looks for a more regular starting place. 🤷‍♂️

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I think it’s worth at least a mention at this point that I’ve seen three online publications in the last 24 hours, all stating that Rayan Cherki has sustained a thigh injury; won’t be taking part in today’s game on the South Coast and has been withdrawn from the French squad for the international break. I’m very sceptical and I’m leaving the attacking midfielder / winger in my predicted 11.

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

Yep, looks good to me.

Result?

During a particularly horrible run of results last season, a visit to the American Express Community Stadium on 9^th November saw us lose our 4^th game on-the-trot. 😲☹️

The stats from that game were:

- 60.5% possession for us to their 39.5%

- 15 shots by us to their 10; 6 on target for us to their 4 (the previous game to this fixture we I noted that we had 20 shots but only 6 of those were on target)

- Both keepers were forced into action, with their keeper making 5 saves to our 2

- Both sides ventured into the opposing team’s penalty area, with us having 28 touches in their box to their 20 in ours.

Yet despite the majority of the statistics that matter being in our favour, two Brighton goals in the 78^th and 83^rd minute cancelled out our 23^rd-minute opener to give Guardiola his worst run as Manchester City Manager (or as a manager anywhere?).

I also noted in my pre-match blog posting before our away clash with Brighton last season that, as well as not taking more of the many chances we create, we looked vulnerable at the back. Of course, if you were an avid watcher of our team last season you certainly didn’t need me to tell you that. However, I mention it because that comment from 9^th November 2024 reminded me somewhat of our home game against Spurs on 23^rd August 2025…basically last weekend.

I hope more than ever that last Saturday was just a little early season blip because if we haven’t managed to iron out our jitters and errors in defence and still can’t find a way to finish off the many chances we continue to create then we could be in for another frustrating, head-scratching season.

Focussing on this fixture, our opponents lost some important and experienced players in the summer and have continued with the philosophy of bringing in young players for the future. I believe they’ve got a good scouting network and that’s brilliant to see for the club.

However, they appear to be suffering a little with the loss of their experienced personnel, with no wins in their opening two matches; scoring just one goal and conceding three.

Despite that, I think they’ll still cause us issues this afternoon (2:00pm KO BST), especially on the break (who doesn’t these days?😟) and their season-opening, home game stats against Fulham shows it. Brighton had 10 shots on target that afternoon, forcing the Fulham keeper into making 3 saves. The game ended 1-1 with the visitors getting an equaliser in the 97^th minute.

As for us, I will continue to have doubts about our defence until it can resolve the issues that have plagued us for a year or more now. They need to show consistent improvement for my nerves, at least, to settle down with regards to that department.

Even then, I don’t think I’ll ever be TRULY content until we get a world-class, specialist right-wing back in. Rico, for the most part, does an okay job and is one of those player who can come out of a game with a better-than-okay, 8/10 performance. Unfortunately, he’s also capable of a lot of 5s and 6s and the player who once confessed that he prefers to play as an attacking midfield can let the defensive side of his dual role down a little too often.

But when I look at the quality of the players in that predicted line-up I have to think that if most of ‘em perform well on Sunday afternoon then this should…should be a City win.

That’s what I’m going with; all-3 points goes to the away side.

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

Prediction: Draw

Result: Lost

(Pre-match blog posting from that game)

Expected weather conditions during the game: After a changeable week that’s seen squally showers almost all over the UK, it’s forecasted to settle down on the South Coast for the match. There’s a very remote chance of a passing, rouge shower but generally speaking it’s fine and dry with sunny intervals. 18C is the official temperature but with a fairly strong southerly breeze dragging up warm air, it’s likely to feel closer to 20 or 21C in the sunshine. ⛅😎🩴🍃🚩🍺⚽