Continued determination is the key.

After a lacklustre performance that ended in a defeat away to Newcastle; we Blues were treated to something that looked MUCH more like our usual selves; much more like a Pep Guardiola performance and a very good display indeed last Sunday. 

 

If we dare to ‘drop down a level’ against a team who are out of sorts and will be keen to right some wrongs, we’ll undo all of that repair work (helped by Liverpool dropping 4 points in the last 2 outings).

v Everton

If I don’t get this one out now, I’m gonna run the risk of having little time before tomorrow night’s fixture and, so, I’m going to risk also predicting ‘an 11’ & subs before any announcements about who might be up for selection etc.

Goodison Park

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

(Number correct from starting line-up in the last game which for me, Blog-wise, was the Newcastle game: A ‘SPOT ON’ 11/11).

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

___________________Aguero____________________

Sane___________________________________Mahrez

__________De Bruyne________B. Silva____________

__________________Gundogan___________________

Delph____________________________________Danilo

____________Laporte_________Stones_____________

____________________Ederson___________________

Subs: Muric, Mendy, Walker, Otamendi, Fernandinho, Sterling, Jesus.

After Pep’s VERY fluid 3-6-1 set-up against Arsenal last Sunday foxing everybody, I am bold enough to say, I think we’ll see a slightly more orthodox formation against The Toffees. It would be tempting to ‘go again’ with the personnel that day having played so very, very well 3 days earlier but with Chelsea at home just 3-½ days after this one; I very much doubt the boss will do that.

Ederson as always in the league.

And, so, I’ve got a feeling that Fabian will get a shot at the left-wing back position with Danilo stepping in on the opposite flank of the defence. Aymeric to continue in the middle but with John joining him to face his old club for this one, I would suggest.

Ilkay to step into the deeper midfield position; Kevin to continue to increase his fitness levels & momentum with another start and the younger of the 2 Silvas. Leroy & Riyad to be the fresh-legged starters on the attacking flanks.

Stick or twist up front? Well I can’t see the manger wanting to drop Sergio after such a dynamic & productive last game and so, for me, he starts…with the rider that he can-hopefully be withdrawn fairly early on in the 2^nd half.

Aro the replacement-option stopper; Benjamin might make the bench and joined by fellow defenders Kyle & Nicholas. Fernandinho ‘the insurance’ if needed; Raheem & Gabriel provide attacking replacement choices from the side.

Notable absences:

-       Claudio Bravo – Continues his rehab following serious injury.

-       Oleksandr Zinchenko – Not selected.

-       Vincent Kompany – Unlikely to feature / likely to still be recovering…

-       Phil Foden – Not selected.

-       David Silva – Rested.

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

If Fabian & Danilo have decent games; if Ilkay is up to the task of filling Fernandinho’s boots on the night then I think that’s a good team to put out for this one.

Result? Well, our hosts are all over the shop at the moment with wins & losses being rotated of late. There’s a lot of grumbling Evertonians around at the moment too.

But this is a side that, on their day, can be a pain in the **** and, as I’ve already suggested; if we’re not up for this fight then on our heads be it!

They’ll have a go for sure and might even cause us a wobble…but I’m going for us grabbing 3 points and taking our place at the top of the table before the weekend fixtures begin.

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

Prediction: Win

Result: Win

Expected weather conditions during the game: Not too bad at all, really. A little chilly at 6C but not much of a breeze and little chance of rain.