Bit between our teeth and…

…chasing down the lead horse.

v Arsenal

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 / 4-5-1 / 4-3-3 (occasional 3-6-1):

____________________Haaland____________________

 

 

__Doku______________________________Semenyo__

 

__________Silva(C)_______________Cherki__________

 

_____________________Rodri_____________________

O’Reilly___________________________________Nunes

___________Guehi_____________Khusanov_________

 

 

__________________Donnarumma__________________

Subs: Trafford, Ait-Nouri, Ake, Gonzalez, Kovacic, Foden, Reijnders, Savinho and Marmoush.

I’m going for Pep to pick the same-11 as last time…

Gigi in net.

A back-4, occasional 3, of Nico-O-, Marc, Abdukodir and Matheus.

Rodders, Bernardo and Rayan-C- in the middle in their various roles; Jeremy and Antoine on the flanks.

Erling up top.

James is reserve keeper; Rayan-A and Nathan are two defenders on the side. Nico-G-, Mateo, Phil and Tijjani make up four midfielders in ‘the 9’, while Savinho and Omar give us two wide / forward options from the bench.

Notable absences:

-       Marcus Bettinelli – Not selected.

-       Rico Lewis – Not selected.

-       John Stones – On 10^th April Pep said, of the England defender, that he was taking a step closer to returning to first team action; possible taking part in partial training [same day as that press conference]. There was no update on 17^th April.

-       Josko Gvardiol – On the 10^th April also, our manager revealed that Josko was getting better, following a long injury lay-off with a fractured tibia, but would take longer to recover. No further updates since.

-       Max Alleyne – Not selected.

-       Ruben Dias – On 17^th April we were informed that the Portuguese international was not quite ready to return to action just yet.

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

Yep.

Result?

Turning into the final straight, we certainly have now got our second (Third? Fourth?) wind and a good gallop on now. Three different competitions and three teams in the shape of Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea resulted in 3 wins, 9 goals scored and 0 conceded; all of which has put wind in our sails as we enter the crucial part of the season.

And it’s a part of the season which appears to be causing some jitters in the postcode area of N7; an area that sits in North London and has a large percentage of its population feeling nervous for more reasons than one.

But we mustn’t focus on how our rivals are feeling; we mustn’t get complacent and we must, instead, remain focused in order to continue the good things that we’re doing and practice improving the areas where we’re falling short.

The first half against Chelsea was a little sloppy – our passing was off and they were causing us a number of problems down our right side / their attacking left. They also had the ball in our net and if it wasn’t for VAR, some Assistant Referees, or “Linos” in old money, may have given that goal with Khusanov leaving a trailing leg that almost kept the attacking Chelsea player onside.

But it was rightly ruled out and we went on to produce a much, much better second half to outclass the home side. There’s still room for improvement in terms our in-match consistency because if we drop-off against today’s opponents like we all-too-often do in one half of games, we are likely to get punished.

“If we lose, yeah, it’s over”. Not my words but the words of our manager last Friday.

So what if we draw? Well, we would definitely need to win our game in hand against Crystal Palace, something we need to do even if we win later today, but I would say that sharing the points this afternoon still gives us a chance of winning the league, especially as Arsenal have Champions League games to contend with in addition to looking wobbly at the moment.

But we’ve got to win this after the way sprung into life in recent games to put even more pressure on today’s visitors – we mustn’t blow it now.

Does is help that, apparently, Bukayo Saka is out with an injury? I’d say so but I have heard at least one Arsenal fan say recently that he is no longer as effective as he used to be…in between quite a number of injury spells it has to be said. Then, just the other day, I heard another Arsenal supporter say that a lot of their stars have regressed over the last 3 or 4 seasons. I dunno...🤷‍♂️

If we perform for the majority of the game like we did in the second half of our last three matches then I believe that we can make it four wins in a row and that’s what I’m going for us to do. It’s a City win for me. 🤞

Goodbye to a legend

It’s official – Bernardo Silva will be leaving us in the summer.

All too often an unsung hero, in my opinion; the Portuguese midfield workhorse even came in for some flack last season from a section of Blues for his lack of creative contribution as the whole team went through its various struggles. I had him down as my personal Player of the Season when I did my usual end of season piece last June.

So versatile and such a quiet, just-get-on-with-it professional but with enough fire in his belly that you need to compete for 90+ minutes. At 32 in August but with a strong body that saw very few minutes in the treatment room, this fella could have done a good job for us for another season but I’m sure I’m not alone in wishing him well.

Thank you for everything, Bernardo.

 

 

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

Prediction: Draw

Result: Drew

(Pre-match blog posting from that game)

Expected weather conditions during the game: After a lovely bright start to the day in the area, light cloud drifts in ahead of the match to perhaps obscure the sun slightly. Dry with temperatures around 11 or 12C. 🌥️️😎🧥🍵🥧🍺⚽

Solidarity

Moving through the gears.

If really does feel like this team is finally clicking, doesn’t it?

I’m not saying for one moment that two back-to-back wins, following defeat to Real Madrid on 17^th March, constitutes “form” or ‘final team-formular success’ but the manor in which we dispatched both Arsenal and Liverpool in the League Cup final and then F.A. Cup quarter final respectively (6-0 over both games) does signal, for me at least, that this team is starting to gel on the pitch. For the most part, we looked very good indeed and certainly deserved both victories…and another trophy. 🙂🏆

No complacency whatsoever today, of course, but the lads must surely be going into this game brimming with confidence.

v Chelsea

Stamford Bridge

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

Number correct from the starting line-up in the last game which for me, blog wise, was our victory at Wembley against Arsenal in the League Cup final: 8/11.

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

____________________Haaland____________________

 

 

__Doku______________________________Semenyo__

 

__________Silva(C)_______________Cherki__________

 

_____________________Rodri_____________________

O’Reilly___________________________________Nunes

___________Guehi_____________Khusanov_________

 

 

__________________Donnarumma__________________

Subs: Trafford, Ait-Nouri, Ake, Gonzalez, Kovacic, Foden, Reijnders, Savinho and Marmoush.

Gigi returns in net, following two domestic cup games on the side.

Rodders is ‘the holder’ in midfield with Bernardo and Rayan-C- ahead of the Spaniard.

Jeremy and Antoine take the flanks either side of Erling up top.

James returns to the bench as reserve keeper for the first of two fixtures before seeing Wembley action once again on 25^th April; Rayan-A- and Nathan are, potentially, just two defenders on the bench. Nico-G-, Mateo, Phil and Tijjani make up four midfielders waiting for their turn, while Savinho and Omar give us two wide / forward options in ‘the 9’.

Notable absences:

-       Marcus Bettinelli – Not selected.

-       Rico Lewis – Not selected.

-       John Stones – On 10^th April Pep said, of the England defender, that he is taking a step closer to returning to first team action; possible taking part in partial training [same day] and could be part of Sunday’s squad. I’m going to guess that he won’t be risked as the season-end gathers momentum.

-       Josko Gvardiol – On the 10^th April also, our manager revealed that Josko is getting better, following a long injury lay-off with a fractured tibia, but will take longer to recover.

-       Max Alleyne – Not selected.

-       Ruben Dias – Following a knock, Guardiola confirmed during the pre-match press conference that the defender’s fitness is improving but will not be involved in the squad for our trip to Stamford Bridge this afternoon, 4:30pm KO BST.

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

Yes.

Result?

I have said this a lot over the last few seasons in my various blog postings – I just don’t get Chelsea as a team.

So capable, at times, of beating really good sides but, at the same time, so bafflingly inconsistent and lacking all too often. I’ve also said this on a number of occasions too about their club as a whole…what a shambles of a football club it looks from an outside perspective (Chelsea fans please tell me I’m wrong and / or how it feels from your perspective).

As for their current side’s form? Poor. D D L W L L is their last 6 in the league. During that 6-game league run, they’ve also managed very mixed results in two different cup competitions; losing 5-2 and then 0-3 to PSG in the Champions League but had victories in the F.A. Cup to take them to the semi-finals: 0-4 away at Hull City, 2-4 away at Wrexham and 7-0 at home to Port Vale. Different competitions and opposition class, of course, but even their cup results are all over the place; with 17 goals scored and 10 conceded across those five cup matches.

Anything to be concerned about?

Always – this is a Manchester City team that’s still not close to previous City sides we’ve all enjoyed over the last decade or so; a situation which started to remind City fans, of a certain vintage, of the bad-old, unpredictable days.

Then there’s the fact that our hosts have lost their last 2 league games and therefore, going off their pattern generally, are due a league win.

They have Joao Pedro who, when he has a good day, can be a real handful. He currently has 14 league goals and 5 league assists to his name and is the league’s 4^th-top goalscorer and joint-5^th for assists.

Of course there’s the “ex-City factor” too with sullen-faced Cole Palmer now wearing a darker shade of blue but in order for me not to tempt fate, I’m going to steer well clear of mentioning the…shall we say, below-par season he’s having and form that he’s currently in. I’ve probably said too much there already in my attempts not to irritate the Gods of Footballing Destiny. 🙄🤞

As for us, we look strong, personnel wise, and ‘full of beans’. We could get our cage rattled in front of a home crowd hoping to push their side to a Champions League finish-position in the table (now 5 places) but I’m going for us to silence them in the end.

I’m saying a City win.

Since then…

Since writing most of that by early Saturday morning, Arsenal have been beaten 1-2 at home to AFC Bournemouth; a result that puts a firm wedge in the title door. That was a FANTASIC result for us and has really handed us a massive opportunity. So why does it now make me a little jittery.

It’s probably because we HAVE been handed this chance and because, also, we have shot ourselves in the foot in recent weeks; something which helped to create such a wide points gap between us and The Gunners – I’m thinking Forest at home (2-2) and West Ham away (1-1) in March.

There’s still a lot of work to do and many minutes of football to be played but it is, sort of, in our own hands now; goal difference aside.

C’mon Blues, don’t drop the ball now. 💪

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

Prediction: Win

Result: Won

(Pre-match blog posting from that game)

Expected weather conditions during the game: Quite nice. Sunshine throughout the morning and afternoon before kick off should continue into the match, with just the odd shower passing over as the game progresses. The forecasted temperature is around 12 or 13C. There is a bit of a south-westerly breeze that will make it feel chilly in the shade of the stands so coats are most certainly advised for travelling fans. 😎🧥🍵🥧🍺⚽

By the way…

…this sounds like excellent news.

Solidarity

Blog announcement – 25.03.2026

Following the 2-week international break, they’ll be no pre-match blog posting ahead of our home game against Liverpool in the Quarter Final of the F.A. Cup on Saturday 4^th April.

This is due to a much needed and long-awaited holiday 🙂 and although I hope to get back in time for kick-off (12:45pm BST by then), it’ll be no more than 60-minutes before the referee blows his whistle to start the match.

Next up for me blog-wise will be prior to our away league fixture at Chelsea on Sunday 12^th April (4:30pm KO BST).

A selection dilemma looms for Pep

To ditch his League Cup regulars or not? Decisions that come with being in ‘the big chair’.

v Arsenal

Wembley 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 frustrating draw at West Ham United: 10/11.

There are so many possibilities for error with my conjectures here with our manager perhaps caught between wanting to continue to give some fringe players this cup competition whilst, at the same time, recognising the huge threat this opposition carries. ⚠️

There’s also the theory that with both sides vying for the league title, the winners of this will get a enormous psychological boost. 🚀

Plus the fact that it is a chance for a piece of silverware after all; the first of the season no less. 🙌🍾🏆

Here goes…

A very fluid 4-1-4-1 / 4-5-1 / 4-3-3 / 4-6-0 (occasional 3-6-1):

______________________________________________

__________________Marmoush___________________

 

__Samenyo_____________________________Cherki__

 

_________O’Reilly_______________Silva(C)__________

 

___________________Gonzalez____________________

Ake______________________________________Nunes

_________Khusanov____________Dias(VC)___________

 

 

____________________Trafford____________________

Subs: Donnarumma, Ait-Nouri, Stones, Rodri, Foden, Reijnders, Doku, Savinho and Haaland.

Having played for Bolton Wanderers in the 2023 EFL Trophy final on 2^nd April and having been on the bench as England faced Belgium just 11 months later; this will be the Cumbrian born keeper’s first appearance at Wembley in a City shirt.

I’m going with a back-4 choice of Nathan, Abdukodir, Ruben and Matheus.

Nico-G takes over the Rodri role, with a 4 come 5 ahead of the defensive midfielder in the shape of Antoine, Nico-O-, Bernardo, Rayan-C- and Omar, who may ‘lead the line’ but possibly in a fluid, slightly deeper position [than Haaland would most of the time].

Gigi takes a rare seat on the side as reserve stopper, while Rayan-A- and John make up just two defenders next to him, if I am correct that is of course. Midfield back-ups come in the form of Rodders, Phil and Tijjani; wide options are Jeremy and Savinho, with Erling as a change of striker option.

I’ve not even stuck any EDS players on the subs bench, such is my uncertainty on this occasion.

In the second leg of the semi-final, not only did Max Alleyne make the bench but Ryan McAidoo and Sverre Nypan too; a player who had only just returned from loan at Middlesbrough. Only Max got to see any minutes that night when he replaced Nathan Ake at half time.

I mean, Rico Lewis is fit once again following a brief ankle issue – he could be on the bench or Pep may even decide to start the rarely used 21-year-old instead of Matheus Nunes. Phil Foden and Tijjani Reijnders start most games on the bench these days, so perhaps they’ll both get a blessing from their manager. However, that would likely mean no place for Pep’s favourite, Bernardo Silva, at least.

The way I see it, I have put five non-regular starters in ‘the 11’ and three of those have full-international caps, so I don’t think I’ll be far off with that.

It's definitely a tough one to call though but I’ve done my best to mix it up when considering all of the above.

Notable absences:

-       Marcus Bettinelli – Not selected.

-       Rico Lewis – Not selected.

-       Josko Gvardiol – Out with a fractured tibia, for which he has had surgery. On 23^rd January, we were informed that it will be at least 2 more months before the Croatian international might be ready to return, which takes him up to the end of March.

-       Marc Guehi – Ineligible.

-       Max Alleyne – Not selected.

-       Mateo Kovacic – Not selected.

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

Mmmmm…against Arsenal in a final? I think I’d swap Gonzalez for Rodders, as much as I like the Spanish Under-21 international, and perhaps choose a more-natural, pacier left-wing back than Nathan but I would understand this line-up, should our manager choose to do so.

Result?

Looking at both side’s form, in the league The Gunners have a last 6 of, D D W W W W and for us it’s the reverse, W W W W D D. Throw into the mix their Champions League results against ours and it makes it even clearer who goes into this game with the best form.

League goals for: Arsenal 61 (from 31 games), Manchester City 60 (from 30 games).

League goals against: Arsenal 22 (from 31 games), Manchester City 28 (from 30 games).

I had a quick look at our opponents line-up in their two-legged semi final and apart from a couple of youth / fringe players they didn’t appear to “weaken” their side all that much against Chelsea, especially in the second leg I noticed. Perhaps we should take heed.

It could be close, it could be a really tight and tense affair.

This is a clash of two sides with the first and second best defensive record in the division and it’s clear that both sides have goals in ‘em too; again, first and second best. However, whereas it’s been noted just how many Arsenal goals have come from set pieces this season, the shear number of goals we have scored could and should have been a lot, lot higher had we converted more of the many chances we often create in open play. Who is going to blink first and will one blink be all that is needed this afternoon?

Both sides have very few injury concerns with us just having one long-term absentee in Josko Gvardiol, so whichever side Pep decides to go with he’ll have plenty of decent options on the bench to pull from.

I’m straining against matchday / pre-match optimism here when I say…I really, really, really, really, really want to say that we’ll win this and I really, really, really, really, really hope that I am wrong when I say that I don’t think we will. 🙁 When I look at the general consistency of both sides and individual players, I have to give this one to side from North London. Sorry Blues… 🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞

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

Prediction: N/A

Result: N/A

Expected weather conditions during the game: Nice. Not quite as warm nor as sunny as was earlier in the week but I don’t think you’ll find too many fans complaining at 12C with sunny intervals on 22^nd March. ⛅😎🥧🌭🍔🍟💷🍺⚽

Solidariry