Another “What happened?” game.

But don’t bother asking - even Pep doesn’t know.

I think one Manchester City fan leaving the stadium last Tuesday night summed it up perfectly when he simply said, “City in a nutshell”.

The numbers…

·         4 games since we returned from the last international break

·         10 days

·         2 wins

·         2 defeats

·         9 goals scored

·         10 conceded

Oh yeah…and the fastest ever 100 Premier League goals goes to Erling Haaland. 🦸

Crazy statistics.

And that coin flip that I spoke about pre-match? It very nearly landed on its edge before just about tipping over in our favour.

There’s little wonder why even Guardiola can’t put his finger on what’s going on at the moment other than, in his words, “…it’s the Premier League”. 🤷‍♂️

For my part regarding the Fulham game, I thought we looked a little easier to get through once Nico Gonzalez went off on 64 minutes with the scoreline at 2-5. Other City fans leaving the stadium did question our manager’s substitutions.

But well done Fulham – what a performance throughout the game from our hosts. A game that, goals aside, was vibrant throughout. I suppose, then, well done to us too for scoring FIVE goals away from home against a side who were more than up for the fight.

A massive well done to the travelling City fans too. 👏👏👏👏👏…

There’s a blog announcement at the end of this piece.

v Sunderland

Etihad Stadium

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

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

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

____________________Haaland____________________

 

 

__Doku_________________________________Cherki__

 

_________Silva(C)_________________Foden__________

 

____________________Gonzalez___________________

O’Reilly___________________________________Nunes

__________Gvardiol______________Dias(VC)__________

 

 

__________________Donnarumma_________________

Subs: Trafford, Ait-Nouri, Lewis, Ake, Khusanov, Stones, Reijnders, Savinho and Marmoush.

Gigi continues in goal and will be hoping, I’m sure, to be picking the ball out of his net far less often this afternoon.

A back 4, occasional 3, of Nico-O-, Josko, Ruben and Matheus would be my guess.

Nico-G- continues in the defensive midfield role and fingers remain crossed that the Spanish Under-21 international can remain free from injury.

Jeremy, Bernardo, Phil and Rayan-C- is my attacking-4 prediction.

Erling up top.

An apparently unhappy and want-away, James, is reserve stopper for the afternoon; Rayan-A-, Rico, Nathan, Abdukodir and John make up FIVE defenders on the side. Tijjani, Savinho and Omar complete ‘the 9’ by giving us various attacking options in reserve.

Notable absences:

-       Marcus Bettinelli – Not selected.

-       Stefan Ortega – Not selected.

-       Kalvin Phillips – Not selected.

-       Mateo Kovacic – Recovering from secondary surgery to clean up some calcification in his ankle. Expected return is around February 2026.

-       Rodri – Continues to recover from a hamstring injury he received on 5^th October. We were informed on 5^th December that the Spanish international was back in training and that it would be a matter of weeks before being considered for a return. The staff and the player himself are simply making sure that the area is fully recovered so as to try an’ avoid a reoccurrence / future set back.

-       Oscar Bobb – Not selected.

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

Yeah, that’d do.

I’d love for O’Reilly to get an opportunity to showcase his central midfield attacking skills at some stage but he’s doing so well at left-wing back, that would only serve to expose us further.

I think I’d have Bobb on the bench instead of Savinho at the moment; not that the Norwegian international has sparked into life himself yet this season.

Result?

I feel more confident talking about our opponents than I do about my own team at the moment. 🤪 One thing is for certain, The Black Cats will have no fear whatsoever coming to our place this afternoon. For me, that says both a lot about how well they have done since their return to the top flight…and is a little sad and concerning to admit from our point of view also.

So, regarding our opponents, 14 league games played and only 3 defeats. 14 games played and only 14 goals conceded – the joint-3^rd best defensive record in the league and, of course now, better than ours.

6^th in the table and just 5 points behind us; their last 6 in the prem reads, W D D L W D.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

🚨TEMPTING FATE ALAERT!🚨

Shhhh…🤫 They don’t score too many league goals.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Outside of the bottom 5 clubs, 18 goals from those 14 games played is the joint-2^nd lowest for finding the back of the opponents net. Tight, organised, hardworking and counter attacking appears to be their weapons of choice.

Yep…it's another one where both our players and fans will have to be very, very patient and where our midfield and defence needs to be alert to the dangers of those counters.

God I hope our players are payin’ attention and have been training accordingly.

Their top goalscorer is French born, Wilson Isidor, with 4 and their assist king is ex-Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen midfielder, Granit Xhaka; again with 4 and who has a goal to his name also. From deep inside the Sunderland midfield, this 33-year-old likes to pop forward and contribute at the ‘business end’ of the pitch, so he needs monitoring for sure.

As for us? What can I say? Scoring loads but conceding even more.

Forgetting this game for a brief moment; going forward we’re desperate for some muscle in midfield. We’re also desperate for a real midfield leader; a REAL Captain on the pitch.

I would say also, aside from needing a specialist right-wing back, that we could do with a top-notch, central defender and one with some pace too.

There…I’ve said it.

As for this game? I’m just gonna do exactly what I did before our match last Tuesday and call this one just how I see it - a draw. Hopefully, as with the last time I predicted a share of the points, I’ll be proven wrong and we’ll come away with all 3. 🤞

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

Prediction: N/A

Result: N/A

Expected weather conditions during the game: Sunshine and showers before the game gives way to prolonged periods of light rain. Some of it could turn heavy. Along with the wet comes a light westerly breeze with occasional gusts of wind and the forecasted temperature is a fairly mild-sounding 10C, although I can’t imagine it feeling so in the damp conditions. 🌦️🧥🥧🍺⚽

Announcement

There’ll be no pre-match blog posting ahead of our Wednesday night game. I’m not even too sure how I managed to get the last one done and posted before the Fulham clash.

There will also be one, possibly two games just prior to Christmas day that I might also not be able to cover but I’ll look at that situation nearer the time.

In addition, there’s also a chance that from some point in January 2026, I won’t be able to preview any midweek matches regardless of the competition and may, instead, have to simply concentrate on weekend fixtures. Once again, I’ll see nearer the time when I know about work scheduling.

Solidarity

A victory that felt like defeat.

As collective City fan cheeks puffed out with relief at the end of the 101^st minute last Saturday, I found myself shaking my head and wondering how the hell we could make such a mess of a very early lead and 2-0 half-time scoreline; at home against the division’s 3^rd-bottom side. Well done Mr Foden. 👏

Dare I say, following last season and parts of this campaign, that we’re reverting back to our “typical City” days?

At least Chelsea-Arsenal ended in a draw…

v Fulham

Craven Cottage

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

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

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

____________________Haaland____________________

 

 

__Doku_________________________________Cherki__

 

_________Silva(C)_________________Foden__________

 

____________________Gonzalez___________________

O’Reilly___________________________________Lewis

__________Stones_______________Dias(VC)__________

 

 

__________________Donnarumma_________________

Subs: Trafford, Ait-Nouri, Nunes, Ake, Gvardiol, Reijnders, Bobb, Savinho and Marmoush.

Gigi continues in net - another player not excluded from the ‘poor performance’ column last Saturday. In fact, his season’s score is slowly slipping down on my ratings chart following a few moments, in his last few games, which haven’t exactly covered the Italian international in glory.

I’m going for a tweak at the back with John and Rico coming in for Josko and Matheus. Nico-O- and Ruben complete the 4.

Nico-G- continues his deep role in midfield and, once again, I’m going for Jeremy, Bernardo, Phil and Rayan-C- all behind Erling.

James is reserve stopper; Rayan-A-, Matheus, Nathan and Josko provide defensive cover. Tijjani, Oscar, Savinho and Omar give us attacking options from the bench in midfield, on the wings and up front.

Notable absences:

-       Marcus Bettinelli – Not selected.

-       Stefan Ortega – Not selected.

-       Abdukodir Khusanov – Not selected.

-       Kalvin Phillips – Not selected.

-       Mateo Kovacic – Recovering from secondary surgery to clean up some calcification in his ankle. Expected return is around February 2026.

-       Rodri – Continues to recover from a troublesome hamstring injury, as well as general fitness issues.

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

I would very much understand John Stones coming in for Josko Gvardiol at the moment – I think we need the stability and vast experience of John at the moment and Josko needs a little time to focus on the basics, I would say…and I’m not just saying that because of his howler last weekend.

As for the right-wing back slot, it is what it is at the moment - an area that needs addressing in a transfer window sooner rather than later. Matheus has done really, really well up to recent games but there’s been a slight drop off from the Portuguese international and he was one of those players who had a torrid second half three days ago. I think Rico Lewis will be chomping at the bit to get a place in the starting 11, even if it’s in his personal, less-preferred position.

An assist for the winner last Saturday afternoon might be enough to earn Rayan Cherki a starting berth and replacing Tijjani Reijnders I would agree with. He’s another player who needs to work hard on the training pitch and focus on the simple things.

Result?

It’s been a slow, struggling start to the season by our hosts but 3 league wins from the last 4 suggests that they’re getting their act together. One of those victories came against high-flying Sunderland; a feat only two other sides have managed in the league this season…and our next opponents.

As for us, I’ve already made reference to last season and conceding 6 goals in just 7 days over 3 games is brings back some unwanted memories from our 2024-25 campaign. That’s got to stop soon if we want to challenge for silverware.

I’m at the stage where it’s flip a coin time when thinking about the result. Which City side is going to turn up? Which half will we perform in and which half will we lose intensity and switch off?

As unlikely as it is for a coin to land on its edge, that’s what mine has done. I’m going for a draw.

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

Prediction: Win

Result: Won

There was no pre-match blog posting ahead of last season’s corresponding fixture due to both general time constraints and an up-and-coming holiday.

Expected weather conditions during the game: A bit damp leading up to the 7:30pm (GMT) kick-off but it should dry out for the game itself. 8C is the forecasted temperature with just a very light, southerly breeze. 🧥🍵🥧🍺⚽

Solidarity

All change v Leeds United

The well documented 10 changes in midweek backfired and blew up in Pep’s face last Tuesday, for which he’s held his hands up for several times since. I personally believe that the players who started that night have to take a lot of responsibility also.

Sadly, for them, it’ll be a largely changed side once again this afternoon – a rare, Saturday 3:00pm kick-off.

OLD SCHOOL FIXTURE!

v Leeds United

Etihad 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 away league defeat to Newcastle United: 11/11).

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

____________________Haaland____________________

 

 

__Doku_________________________________Cherki__

 

_________Silva(C)_________________Foden__________

 

____________________Gonzalez___________________

O’Reilly___________________________________Nunes

__________Gvardiol______________Dias(VC)__________

 

 

__________________Donnarumma_________________

Subs: Trafford, Ait-Nouri, Lewis, Ake, Stones, Reijnders, Bobb, Savinho and Marmoush.

Gigi returns in goal after a rare place on the bench in midweek.

A back 4, occasional 3, of Nico-O-, Josko, Ruben and Matheus.

Nico is likely to be the only one who keeps his place from last Tuesday’s disastrous performance.

Ahead of him, I think we’re likely to see Jeremy, Bernardo, Phil and Rayan-C-, all in support of Erling up front.

Just before I run through the subs, I’ve just got a feeling that Pep could dip into our EDS for at least one fresh face on the bench for this one. Why? I believe that as well as blaming himself for what transpired in midweek, he also feels a little let down by some of his players and perhaps, secretly, some more than others.

Wouldn’t it, therefore, be a strong message for him to send by sliding a young player onto the scene ahead of one of those individuals…and wouldn’t it set tongues wagging.

It’s just a hunch; one that I’m going to resist running with and, so…

James returns to the bench as reserve keeper; Rayan-A-, Rico, Nathan and John make up four defenders on the bench. Tijjani is the only natural central midfielder on the side, with Oscar, Savinho and Marmoush also giving us various attacking options in ‘the 9’.

Notable absences:

-       Marcus Bettinelli – Not selected.

-       Stefan Ortega – Not selected.

-       Abdukodir Khusanov – Not selected.

-       Kalvin Phillips – Not selected but also, we were informed right at the end of Pep’s pre-match press conference, has some leg niggles.

-       Mateo Kovacic – Recovering from secondary surgery to clean up some calcification in his ankle. Expected return is around February 2026.

-       Rodri – Continues to recover from a troublesome hamstring injury, as well as general fitness issues.

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

Sure do.

Result?

Have I been following Leeds United closely this season? Erm…no. What I did hear recently and, therefore kept in my head as this fixture approached, was that their manager has apparently changed his tactics from (whatever it was) to (whatever it is) and it’s not really working. There’s ya go – an expert opinion for you right there. I hope that’s made it clear for you all. 🤪😆

Hard facts for you are a last six in the league that reads, L L W L L L. They sit 3^rd-bottom with just 3 wins from 12-league games played and don’t score many with just 11 from those 12 matches; conceding double that number. They were also dumped out of the League Cup in the 2^nd round way back in August by…Sheffield Wednesday! I know! The Owls! Crisis club and then some!

As for us, when I listened to Pep’s post-match press conference on Tuesday night and particularly towards the very end, you can understand his thinking when-making so many changes in midweek; especially when he rattled through the individual player reasons for his selections and omissions.

However, as he admitted time and time again, it was far too many changes all at once. He got it wrong and he’s held up his hands; leaving us with 2 defeats from 2 since club fixtures resumed.

Having started the Champions League group-league stage strong, it’s certainly put a dent in it but the mistake hasn’t damaged us too badly. That being said, we’re away to Real Madrid next.

My main fear about today’s match, despite it being against a struggling Leeds United at home, is that the rusty, lacklustre first-11 players who we watched at Newcastle may still have that post-international break lethargy in them; as most of those players have seen either few or no minutes at all following our trip to the North East last weekend.

_____________________________

12-league games in, I decided to have a look at my player ratings chart to see where our lads stood.

The top, stand out rating is Earling Haaland, who I have down as 8/10, and some may think that a little harsh of me. I think he was on 8.5 before our trip to The Magpies; a game where he either got a 4 or a 5/10 depending on which report you read.

I then have two players on 7.5, Donnarumma and Dias, with 7s going to Stones, Nunes, Doku and Gonzalez. Put another way, almost a third of the way into this season’s campaign I have just seven players on a rating of 7 or higher, with the rest all between 5 and 6.5.

I have the team’s current, overall rating as 7/10.

What I think that tells me, I don’t know about you, is that despite being 3^rd in the league; despite being just outside the top-8 of the Champions League group-stage table on goal difference and having reached the quarter final of the League Cup; we’re achieving all of that by not particularly playing all that well at lot of the time.

I can certainly recall coming away from a few games thinking, wow that was good from us today. However, in large, and on reflection, I’d have to say that I’m left with a feeling, following a victory, of…‘professional job done’ rather than being wowed. I think some of it has been a case of, thank God for Gianluigi and Erling.

_____________________________

Do I think we’ll win today? Absolutely I do.

Do I think it’ll be one of those swashbuckling, wow games from us that will leave us all breathless with gushing admiration? Possibly not from the start as the players, albeit a very different 11, attempt to reset and refocus following a second disappointment in the space of just three days.

However, even if we do see a cagey start from our lads, as we prod and probe our visitors, I’ve got a feeling that we’ll slip into a high cruising gear and will finish these off in style. I’m going for a City win.

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

Prediction: N/A

Result: N/A

Expected weather conditions during the game: Erm…’orrible. Heavy spells of rain, or prolonged periods of the wet stuff, in a temperature no higher than 6C. For a cross-Pennines clash at 3:00pm on a Saturday afternoon, the wet pitch only adds to this old school-feeling fixture. 🌧️☔🧥🧣🧤🍵🥧🥟🍺⚽

Solidarity