Top of the table(s) clash!

Both teams going very well in their respective leagues; it could be a very interesting clash in the League Cup tomorrow evening!

v Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Home sweet home again! Etihad Stadium.

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

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

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

___________________Aguero____________________

____Sterling________________________B. Silva____

__________Gundogan__________Diaz_____________

____________________Toure_____________________

Zinchenko_______________________________Danilo

____________Mangala_______Otamendi___________

_____________________Bravo____________________

Subs: Ederson, Walker, Adarabioyo, Delph, Fernandinho, De Brunye, Jesus.

Update 24.10.2017: Thanks to a reader's information, Phil Foden has been removed from my predicted line-up as he is on international duty in India. In addition, I've since discovered that Brahim Diaz took at knock at the weekend playing for the EDS and, so, might not feature (but I'm leaving him in for now).

Obviously, there are gonna be some changes for this one…

The first of those? Claudio in for Ederson Moraes.

The next one is a rumour, as well as the obvious need to give, often-fragile, Fabian a much-needed break. Therefore, I think we could see Oleksandr step in as a left wing-back for this one, although the Ukrainian prefers to be in a far more advanced role. Next to him I think we’ll see Eliaquim step in against the Championship side but with Nicholas keeping some semblance of first team presence at the back. Danilo to get a shot in his preferred place at right wing-back.

Ahead of those I think we’ll see Yaya get his first start of the season, with both Ilkay & Phil in slightly more advanced / attacking roles in front of the Ivorian. The width to be provided by Raheem on the left, this time, and Bernardo on the right, I think.

Another rumour is that Pep wants Sergio to continue his fitness fight following his broken ribs incident…and the Argentine hitman could become our club’s all-time, highest goal-scorer on Tuesday night!

Ederson to take a break but there ‘if needed’; Kyle to do likewise. Tosin is likely to get a rare look at first team action from the side with Fabian ‘in there’ in case it all goes a little ‘pear shaped’ for the young Zinchenko. Fernandinho there in case Yaya’s first start is too much for the 34-year old Toure to last 90+; youngsters Brahim & Gabriel the attacking choices from ‘the 7’ seated on the side.

Notable absences: Benjamin Mendy (injured long-term), John Stones (not selected / rested), Vincent Kompany (injured – length unknown), David Silva (not selected / rested) & Leroy Sane (not selected / rested).

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

The left side of the defence concerns me a little, IF that is to be the line-up, but there are plenty of options to change that from the bench should it be needed; along with plenty of quality ‘out there’ to keep the visitors occupied.

Result? In their division, at least, these have been ‘banging ‘em in’! But they also concede in that same league too; scoring 24 but also conceding 13 in their first 13 outings.

To get this far in the League Cup, they squeezed past Yeovil Town 1-0 at home but did scalp Southampton away 0-2 before another, close 1-0 win at home to Bristol Rovers to set this tie up. No goals leaked in this competition for them, so far then…

With a changed look and, in particular, defence; I think we might just leak a goal against the Wolves. But we should have too much quality in our attacking ranks to get past these and into the 5^th round.

It’ll be a good atmos and our visitors will, I’m sure, have plenty of noisy support behind them. However, I think it’ll be another home win before we finally hit the road on Saturday against The Wanderer’s arch-rivals, West Bromwich Albion.

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

Prediction: N/A

Result: N/A

Expected weather conditions during the game: Rain before, rain during and rain after the game. Mild for a night match in October, though and at least, at 57F.

BLOG ANNOUNCEMENT: I’m going away for a week’s holiday on Saturday and might not have any time for a pre-WBA Blog posting. Will see...