We’re Hoff to Germany!

Back in Champions League action, it’s another quick-fire game in a fast-pace fixture list.

The Hoff

v Hoffenheim.

Wirsol Rhein-Neckar-Arena

As the game is later this evening, straight to it…

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

(Number correct from starting line-up in the last game: 10/11

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

____________________Aguero____________________

Sane___________________________________Sterling

____________D. Silva__________B. Silva___________

__________________Fernandinho__________________

Zinchenko________________________________Walker

____________Laporte_________Otamendi___________

____________________Ederson___________________

Subs: Muric, Danilo, Stones, Gundogan, Foden, Mahrez, Jesus.

Infrequent

 

Ederson to keep the gloves.

Zinchenko to keep his place? I think our Manager will show faith in the in-form, converted left wing-back for this one. The rest ‘as was’ at the weekend to, with Aymeric, Nicholas & Kyle making up the rest of the back line.

Rested for a week before last Saturday’s game; I’m going for Fernandinho have another game in him tonight and with 5-full days before a big weekend clash ahead. He ‘sits in’ protecting for large parts in tonight’s fixture. In fact, I’m going for a full, strong same line-up in fact, with Leroy, David, Bernardo & Raheem all providing the craft and goal threat to our hosts.

Despite playing through the pain of a heel injury, I think we’ll see Sergio start but no doubt not playing much beyond 55 / 60 mins.

Aro the keeper insurance; Danilo & John make up the defensive replacement options. Ilkay, Phil, Riyad & Gabriel the more advanced choices from the bench.

Hoffen

 

Notable absences:

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

-       Benjamin Mendy – Still in recovery / rehab training.

-       Vincent Kompany – Not selected.

-       Fabian Delph: Not selected / lost his place for now.

-       Kevin De Bruyne: Back in training ahead of time (but not ready for this one)!

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

Sure do.

Result? Well, we certainly need this one as an antidote to our opening, home group-stage loss and to get back on track. As with all European games, this will be tough. However, that predicted side is a strong one that is going very well indeed domestically and I can see us pressing very high and hard in the opening 45 minutes (hassling the Hoff?); with Pep no doubt wanting to put this one to bed early if he can, so that he-can-then replace / rest / protect some players ahead of the weekend.

Whether that plan will work out exactly, I just don’t know of course but I suspect that, however we achieve it, we’ll come away with a much-needed win in this competition.

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

Prediction: N/A

Result: N/A

Expected weather conditions during the game: Dull, drizzly & chilly (around 9 or 10C) for this 5:55pm KO GMT.

My Hoff jokes? Hoff, hoff, hoff, hoff...