Shifting through the gears.

I’m sure I’m not the only Blue to have noticed this but in the last 3 games, at least, we’ve set off on fire...and then simply “seen out” the rest of the game; winning all 3 with little apparent effort in the last 55 minutes or so.

 

I’m convinced, at the start of a heavy period of fixtures, which I recently named, ‘Avalanche April’, that Pep Guardiola has managed our player’s energy levels; instructing them to shift down the gears and ‘ease off the accelerator’ once we felt like we were in charge against both Fulham & Cardiff City. 

 

I’m not so sure that was quite the same message he gave in our F.A. Cup semi-final win, as our manager appeared less happy with our performance. However, I’m convinced he told his players, once again, not to risk themselves nor spend too much energy against Brighton & Hove Albion ahead of tomorrow night’s, all-important Champions League game. 

 

I’m expecting a better performance from our lads on Tuesday night and a faster-pace-of-play against our North London hosts in their new stadium; both because we HAVE largely breezed though the last few games AND with a welcome, near-5-day break to follow before we face Premier League opposition…once again in London!

 

V Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

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

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

___________________Aguero_____________________

Sane____________________________________Sterling

__________De Bruyne_________B. Silva____________

__________________Fernandinho__________________

Mendy____________________________________Danilo

____________Laporte___________Stones____________

_____________________Ederson____________________

Subs: Muric, Walker, Kompany, Gundogan, D.Silva, Mahrez, Jesus.

Steady-Ed the last line of defence.

Benjamin & Aymeric to ‘go again’ after weekend and joined, I would think, by John & Danilo.

Fernandinho to take his place deep in midfield and ahead of the defence; Leroy, Kevin, Barnardo & Raheem I would say will be our attacking quartet.

Sergio to return up front? Pep says he back in training and although there’s a further assessment to be done; I’m going for the Argentine to start.

Aro the reserve keeper; Kyle is apparently okay after coming off at Wembley but I think he might start on the bench and joined by Vinny as defensive replacement options. Ilkay, David, Riyad & Gabriel provide the more attacking change-options form the side

Notable absences:

-       Claudio Bravo – Continues to train in his comeback rehabilitation.

-       Oleksandr Zinchenko – Injured and could be back in around a week’s time.

-       Nicholas Otamendi – Not selected.

-       Fabian Delph – Injured.

-       Phil Foden – Not selected.

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

Sure do.

Result? New ground (looks good!) and our host’s first, Champions League game at it. It’ll be a noisy affair!

And they have some crackin’ players too. All in all though? I’m going for a draw in this leg; with a nod to a win for us, if I was to be pushed on it...

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

Prediction: N/A

Result: N/A

Expected weather conditions during the game: Breezy – although in the new ground that shouldn't affect anything – with little chance of rain. 8 to 9C might feel a little chilly for some fans.

City v Brighton – F.A. Cup semi-final preview.

Well…we’re here again! It’s great, of course, but I feel sorry for the fans who are currently paying out so much money.

 

“Victims” of our own success? Yes, I would say...and I agree with all those who have that very-same standpoint (and there have been some neutrals who have said just-so recently) and not with those who choose / continue to scathe at some of our home attendances and unsold tickets otherwise. 

 

Narrow-minded morons and nothing more…

v Brighton & Hove Albion

Wembley

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

(Number correct from starting line-up in the last game: 8/11).

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

____________________Jesus_____________________

Sane____________________________________Sterling

__________D. Silva______________B. Silva__________

___________________Gundogan___________________

Danilo____________________________________Walker

_____________Laporte________Otamendi____________

_____________________Ederson____________________

Subs: Muric, Mendy, Kompany, Fernandinho, De Bruyne, Mahrez, Aguero.

Ed has the gloves.

I think we’ll see Danilo switch defensive flanks from the last outing with Kyle on his usual side, despite playing 70+ minutes in Wednesday night’s clean & professional victory. Aymeric to ‘go again’ but likely, I think, to be joined by Nicholas this time.

Ilkay is likely to, ahead of a nod to Tuesday night’s away trip to Spurs in the Champions League, start in the defensive midfield slot; rested in midweek David & Bernardo in the more-attacking central midfield roles ahead of him. Leroy & Raheem likely to provide the attacking width, I would make a strong guess about.

Gabriel to lead all of those and should enjoy the open spaces Wembley can provide.

Aro in there in case something happened to Ederson; Benjamin could make the bench for this one along with Vincent as defensive replacement options. Fernandinho “in case needed”; Kevin should be “comeback managed” with a bench spot and joined by Riyad & [injury managed also] Sergio as the attacking options from the side.

Notable absences:

-       Claudio Bravo – Continues to train in his comeback rehabilitation process.

-       Oleksandr Zinchenko – Injured and could be back in around 10-days’ time, which, thankfully, isn’t as bad as it first looked last Wednesday.

-       John Stones – Not selected / rested ahead of Tuesday.

-       Fabian Delph – Injured.

-       Phil Foden – Not selected after his first, Premier League start 3-days earlier.

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

That’ll do for me!

Result? Beware some recent-history Wembley games against, so called, weaker opposition / 'should beat' teams? Well...I always say respect the ‘oppo’ and don’t get complacent. Stoke ran us quite close and don’t forget 'that' Wigan final.

Our south-coast opponents have well & truly earnt their place in the last 4 of this competition and I’m sure, buoyed by a trip to our national stadium and backed by thousands of fans, they’ll be fighting all the way.

In my opinion we have, quite rightly, seen off 2 teams in the Premier League of late by also, very wisely, reserving energy after an opening ‘blitz’ and as long as we use that energy tomorrow evening to-not-let that standard drop; this should be a Manchester victory for me.

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

Prediction: N/A

Result: N/A

Expected weather conditions during the game: Nothing really happening – cool’ish, at 11C; a little overcast but little chance of rain.

Some rotation, I would say; one…

…forced.

 

Pep’s pre-match press conference has just finished so how do we look ahead of Cardiff City at home tomorrow night?

v Cardiff City

Etihad Stadium

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

(Number correct from starting line-up in the last game: 10/11).

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

_____________________Jesus_____________________

Sane____________________________________Mahrez

__________D. Silva____________De Bruyne_________

___________________Gundogan___________________

Mendy____________________________________Danilo

_____________Laporte_________Stones____________

_____________________Ederson____________________

Subs: Muric, Zinchenko, Kompany, Fernandinho, Foden, B. Silva, Sterling.

Ederson continues with the gloves.

I’m going for Benjamin to be given this home game as his [latest] return, with Danilo being given a run-out on the opposite flank of the defence also. Aymeric should keep his place but, possibly, joined by the returning John in-between those I would say. Almost a new-look back-line!

Ilkay continues to fill-in for Fernandinho ahead of our F.A. Cup semi-final on Saturday; Kevin continues his comeback matches and joined by David in the middle and slightly ahead of the German.

Ilkay & Riyad, both rested & largely so last weekend, provide the attacking width and all supporting Gabriel.

Aro the back-up stopper; Oleksandr & Vinny are the defensive options from the side. Fernandinho to continue his return from injury from the bench again with Phil, Bernardo & Raheem in ‘the 7’ for more attacking change-options.

Notable absences:

-       Claudio Bravo – Back in training now, so close to a return.

-       Kyle Walker – Not selected / rested ahead of Saturday.

-       Nicholas Otamendi – Not selected / rested ahead of Saturday.

-       Fabian Delph – Injured.

-       Sergio Aguero – Injured and may be back for the weekend or midweek next week.

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

Another strong line-up and although I agree that we have to re-introduce Benjamin at some stage - and that this feels like the right opportunity to do so - it’ll be interesting to see how he works with Leroy up & down the left. Other rested / rotated players, if I’m correct of course, makes perfect sense to me also. Yep.

Result? Their manager will be screaming for all sorts from the side, of course, and they’ll need all the refereeing decisions they can get...could I be so bold as to suggest?

No complacency; no focus whatsoever on Saturday and more hard work from us should see this as a home win, which is what I'm going for.

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

Prediction: N/A

Result: N/A

Expected weather conditions during the game: Chilly (4 or 5C), a little breeze but likely to remain dry.

Hyperlinks incomplete on this one.