Another inconsistent side but again…

…and like Huddersfield, one who can be decent on their day and cause teams issues.

v Southampton

 

Etihad Stadium

Straight to it today as there’s little time.

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

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

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

____________________Jesus____________________

____Sane___________________________Sterling____

___________D. Silva__________De Bruyne_________

_________________Fernandinho__________________

Delph___________________________________Walker

___________Otamendi_______Kompany___________

___________________Ederson____________________

Subs: Bravo, Danilo, Mangala, Toure, Gundogan, B. Silva, Aguero.

With there being little time for me as I’ve said; basically, I think we’ll only see a change of striker for this encounter.

Notable absences: John Stones (injured for about another 4-½ weeks) & Benjamin Mendy (continues his rehab following injury/surgery).

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

Certainly do.

Result? As I’ve already alluded to, The Saints can cause teams problems when they’re ‘on it’. But, as I continue to say of late, we’re playing so very well at the moment (understatement alert!), I think this is another 3 points for us.

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

Prediction: Win

Result: Draw

Expected weather conditions during the game: Flippin’ freezin’! Clear sky and around 0C.

Inconsistent Terriers have bitten…

…teams since their return to the Premier League and 4 wins & 3 draws from 12 games sees the Yorkshire blue & white outfit sit comfortably, slap-bang in the middle of the table.

 

But their inconsistent form also shows that they can be very easily muzzled too. On home soil, which side will we face on Sunday?

 

Okay…I know I SAID there would be no pre-match Blog-posing this weekend but I’ve had some brief respite from the madness surrounding the family at the moment.

v Huddersfield Town

John Smith's Stadium

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

(Number correct from starting line-up in the last game: 7/11).

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

___________________Aguero____________________

____Sane___________________________Sterling____

___________D. Silva__________De Bruyne_________

_________________Fernandinho__________________

Delph___________________________________Walker

___________Otamendi_______Kompany___________

___________________Ederson____________________

Subs: Bravo, Danilo, Mangala, Toure, Gundogan, B. Silva, Jesus.

Brazilian, Ederson, in between the sticks.

No fresh injury concerns other than the 2 defenders we know about so it’s a full-strength defence in some ways; with Yorkshiremen Fabian & Kyle flanking Vinny and the returning to Premier League action following suspension, Nicholas.

Fernandinho sitting in front of those ‘doing his all-important job’; allowing Leroy, David, Kevin & and new ‘hit man’ Raheem to go an’ destroy the oppo.

If they need help doing that, I think we’ll see that in the form of Sergio today, although I do keep getting caught out by Pep in-which striker he’s going to ‘go with’ in a seemingly-preferred ‘5 in the middle’ formation.

Claudio is the man with the gloves on the side; Danilo & Eliaquim make up the rest of the defensive cover. Yaya, Ilkay & Bernardo provide a change of midfield options; Gabriel the striker replacement choice (again, I think).

Notable absences: John Stones (injured for about another 5 weeks) & Benjamin Mendy (has started rehab following injury/surgery).

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

Oh yes.

Result? We’re just not the sort of team to show complacency and so, for that reason alone, it’s a City win for me. I think, at home, our hosts might show some quality and will pose a threat to our goal at times; they might even breach the second best Premier League defence so far this season. But I think we’ll have way, way too much for them and it could even be a big scoreline in the end…but perhaps not quite 10-1…

Paul Stewart, Tony Adcock & David White - Hatrick Heros in 'the 10-1'

Match highlights Part 1

Match highlights Part 2 

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

Prediction: N/A

Result: N/A

Expected weather conditions during the game: Chilly (5C), breezy, damp. Pies & Bovril at the ready fans…