Quick / late Blog-posting – Sunderland predictions.

Not much time before KO…

v Sunderland.

Stadium of Light

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome.

Fluid 4-4-1-1:

____________________Aguero____________________

___________________De Bruyne__________________

Sane___________________________________Sterling

_____________Silva_____________________________

____________________________Toure_____________

Kolarov_______Stones______Otamendi_______Sagna

___________________Caballero___________________

Subs: Outfield player with gloves on, Zabaleta, Clichy, Kompany, Fernandinho, Navas, Iheanacho.

Willy likely to be recalled to wear the gloves for this league fixture.

With everyone apparently fit in the defensive department, I can see a bit of rotation on the flanks of the ‘back 4’. If that is the case, Aleks & Bacary to-possibly to step in for this one but with John & Nicholas having to ‘go again’.

It’s an attacking 6 from there on in, I’d say, starting with rested-in-midweek-pairing David & Yaya and NOT rested against Huddersfield Town; Leroy, Raheem, Kevin & Sergio who complete the in-form, offensive unit.

Footwork geezer with gloves back on the side-line; Pablo, Gael and a possible return of Vinny make up the defensive cover. Fernandinho the only midfield change-replacement option; Jesus & Kelechi the attacking pair in reserve.

Notable absences: Fabian Delph (not selected), Fernando (not selected), Ilkay Gundogan (injured for rest of season), Nolito (not selected) & Gabriel Jesus (injured – possibly for the rest of the season).

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

Looks good to me!

Result? It’s a ground with very mixed fortunes for us in recent season and they do have players who can hurt you if you're not 'on it'…but these are truly bobbins; with just 2 league wins in 10 and a whopping 48 league goals conceeded (3rd worst in the league) from 26 played!

I would be both shocked and very disappointed indeed if we didn’t take ‘all 3’, which is what I’m going for us to come back with.

Expected weather conditions during the game: Nothing much doing at all really – dry but largely overcast; perhaps a little chilly at 7C and with a slight Easterly breeze.