Differing opinions.

With little time between Pep’s pre-match press conference this afternoon and tomorrow’s early KO, this posting comes with some uncertainty about available personnel.

 

That aside, I’ve heard opinions in the last few days both from Blues and non-Blues alike that this, “…should be an easy win for City” and that, “…this could be a tricky one”. 

 

I tend to agree with the latter despite our terrific start to the season…

v Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Molineux

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

(Number correct from starting line-up in the last game: Unbelievably after some surprising changes & starting line-up, I still somehow managed to get 8/11).

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

____________________Aguero____________________

Sterling_________________________________B. Silva

___________D.Silva__________Gundogan__________

__________________Fernandinho__________________

Mendy___________________________________Walker

_____________Stones_________Laporte____________

____________________Ederson___________________

Subs: Muric, Kompany, Otamendi, Foden, Mahrez, Sane, Jesus.

Ederson a ‘dead-cert’ to start.

I’m confident that we’ll see a back-4 of Benjamin, John, Aymeric and a return to ‘the 11’ of Kyle; although that means dropping Vinny and, so, who knows what’s in our Manager’s head!

I’ve heard (hence the reference to some uncertainly) that there might be a doubt about Fernandinho but, for now, I’ve ‘stuck him in there’ just in front of those 4.

I think we’ll see Raheem start and possibly on the left; leaving the rest of the attacking midfield looking like David, Ilkay & Bernardo.

Sergio to head ‘that lot’.

Having been recalled from loan due to a serious injury to Claudio Bravo, I think we’ll see Aro Muric as the back-up stopper (gotta feel a little sorry for Daniel Grimshaw after being announced not long ago and our No.3 keeper for the season). If he doesn’t start again in a “whatever” line-up, Vinny to at least make the bench and joined by Nicholas as defensive-replacement options. Phil, Riyad & Leroy make up the attacking midfield / wing options; Gabriel might have to wait his turn in this game despite being pitched along-side Sergio in the last route.

Notable absences:

-       Claudio Bravo – Injured, long-term and possibly the rest of the season.

-       Danilo: Injured - unknown status / return date.

-       Fabian Delph – Not selected.

-       Oleksandr Zinchenko: Not selected and soon to be / likely going out on loan.

-       Kevin De Bruyne: Injured for around 2-½ to 3 months.

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

Does it for me! But what’s happening with Fabian who has always impressed me / is so very useful?

Result? I agree with those that say that this isn’t gonna be an easy game. Wolves were impressive last season; have a decent Manager, good players from their last campaign, have ADDED to that very well and were unlucky to come away form Leicester with nothing last weekend. However, although I think they might breach our defence, I think also that we’ll come away with all-3 points tomorrow; a game I’m going to if nothing happens beforehand family-illness-wise.

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

Prediction: N/A

Result: N/A

Expected weather conditions during the game: It’s gonna be a fairly pleasant day! Not too bad at 61F; sunny intervals and no reported rain.

“Good job” done against a…

…“slow-to-start” Arsenal who offered little threat last Sunday. 

 

Now for a home test against a team we struggled to break down for long periods at their ground last season and, who, prevented us from scoring at all at the Etihad; one of only two teams who managed to do that to us in the league all of last season.

A few words on our last game

By the time I’d got myself together it seemed like the ‘time had passed’ for me to do any kind of post-match posting, which is something regular readers will know it’s something I don’t always do anyway.

But it was our opening game and, so, here’s what I thought of it.

Apart from a quiet one from Ilkay Gundogan (6/10), I thought the rest deserved 7s, 7.5s & 8s with a couple of higher-end 8.5s in there; namely from Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva. I thought the whole back-4 were excellent, especially super charged Kyle Walker - what pace at times!

I thought the tempo was good from City and that, for large parts, we not only controlled the game but were hunting in packs and at speed whenever the home side dared to take possession of “our” ball. 😊

Truthfully, though, Arsenal offered very little threat and didn’t look half the side we were on the day; perhaps taking charge for brief periods but then failing to take a few chances they created, which could have changed the game albeit it against the run of play.

We’ve played better and not won in the past but for our opening game and without the likes of Vincent Kompany, Leroy Sane, Kevin De Bruyne & David Silva starting, a 2-0, clean sheet away win against a home team with a new manager to impress is surely a very good result in anyone’s book.

Any negatives at all? Only minor ones from me.

Riyad Mahrez is still to find his feet a little; plenty of effort but he seems to be fumbling when dribbling / taking on a defender and not finding his crosses nor shots either. That will come I have no doubt.

Did anyone else notice how we nearly fluffed our lines in the last 8 to 10 minutes or so; arsing around with it both in their half and our own; giving Arsenal the impetus to have a late pop at us and exacerbating it further with little stupid errors at the back…not least from Ederson? Well whether you did and your heart fluttered as much as mine did or you didn’t, I’m sure Pep and his staff will have noted that period and may well have sat ‘em down for a time on Tuesday morning to play back that mini horror show because a better team would have truly punished us for some of that lax, crazy play. Just a little blip though…

v Huddersfield Town.

Etihad 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____________________

Sterling__________________________________Mahrez

___________D. Silva___________B. Silva____________

__________________Fernandinho__________________

Mendy___________________________________Walker

_____________Stones_________Laporte____________

____________________Ederson___________________

Subs: Bravo, Kompany, Otamendi, Delph, Foden, Sane, Jesus.

Ederson between the sticks.

A back-4 with attacking wing-backs, of course, and ‘same as’ last Sunday, I think, of Benjamin & Kyle on the flanks with John & Aymeric in the middle of those.

Fernandinho the protecting midfielder; Sterling & Riyad the attacking flankers and could we see a ‘Silva duo’ in the middle? I think so and it what I’m predicting for the visit of The Terriers.

Sergio up front.

Claudio the back-up stopper; Nicholas & Vinny make up defensive replacement options; I almost went for a ‘Vinny start’ and I think he’ll see some game time depending on how the game is going. Fabian, who didn’t make the bench last weekend, likely to get a spot in ‘the 7’, which gives cover both in midfield and at left wing-back. Phil, Leroy & Gabriel make up the more attacking subs.

Big blow, of course, losing Kevin for 10 to 12 weeks but I think we have enough quality to cover his absence, albeit him-missing for so many games. Despite his HUGE quality, my biggest concern is how David Silva will “cope” without a player who compliments him so very, very well (and vice versa). We’ll be fine though…

Notable absences:

-       Danilo: Injured - unknown status / return date.

-       Oleksandr Zinchenko: Not selected.

-       Kevin De Bruyne: Injured for around 2-½ to 3 months.

-       Ilkay Gundogan: Not selected.

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

Erm…largely, yes. However, I think I’d like to see Raheem, who was impressive against Arsenal, on the right; allowing Leroy to step into the left-hand-side, wing role and replacing Riyad, who still looks like he needs more ‘settling in time’ and perhaps coming off the bench as legs tire. Other than that? Absolutely fine.

Result? Well, I’ve already mentioned how we struggled to break these down twice last season and they can be a very organised side. Having said that, they did ship-in 3 goals at home in their opening against Chelsea and as long as we keep playing our game and the crowd remains patient then we should have too much for the Yorkshire side. It’s a home win for me.

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

Prediction: Win

Result: Draw

Expected weather conditions during the game: The TV forecast seemed to suggest that it’ll be a largely overcast but dry and fairly warm day on Sunday. However, the same media on-line suggests that it’ll be a cooler, gloomier day with drizzly wet stuff falling both before and during parts of the game. Please come back summer!