Aching limbs and stubborn sides

I was so tired on Wednesday night that, I don’t mind admitting, I actually fell asleep before the game and, so, didn’t even know the result until the alarm clock went off to tell me it was time for work again!

 

I then woke to find a text from a mate who had been to the game and between his kind & useful update and reports I later digested, it sounded like West Ham ‘did a Chelsea’ in terms of trying to stifle the life out of us; leading to another fairly dull & frustrating game for the most part.

 

In fact, it took-us-bringing-on the craft of both Bernardo Silva and Raheem Sterling to crack the Hammers’ open and, thankfully, Sergio recently had some penalty taking experience, which came in useful again. 

 

“3 points and job done”, I think they call that.

v AFC Bournemouth

So, after a punishing, long game at Wembley to secure & retain the League Cup, most of our lads had to then ‘go again’ last Wednesday around 72 hours later. Now…they face a long trip to the South coast and have to battle, once more, for 3 points around 65 hours later. They’ll definitely be looking forward to a week off after this game before we face Watford at home in the league.

Oh my word! We’re in March already!

Vitality Stadium

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

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

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

___________________Aguero____________________

Sane___________________________________Sterling

_________De Bruyne___________B. Silva__________

__________________Gundogan___________________

Zinchenko_______________________________Walker

___________Otamendi_______Kompany____________

____________________Ederson___________________

Subs: Muric, Mendy, Danilo, Stones, D. Silva, Mahrez, Jesus.

Ed in-between the sticks, of course.

The ever-improving Oleksandr keeps his place on the left-side of defence – the attacking midfielder / winger has improved the defensive side of his game so much in recent weeks! Kyle to come back in on the other side, I would suggest as the rotation with Danilo continues. Nicholas & Vinny likely to / have to ‘go again’ in-between those.

Similarly, Ilkay will have to be our deeper-lying midfielder once more and I think ahead of those, we’ll see an attacking midfield / wing department of Leroy, Kevin, Bernardo & Raheem.

Sergio to lead the attack once again.

Aro is the reserve stopper; Benjamin, Danilo & John provide defensive cover from the side. David might see himself watching some or all of the game from the bench; Riyad and a returning [from injury] Gabriel make up the creative / attacking options form ‘the 7’.

Notable absences:

-       Claudio Bravo – Continues his rehab following serious injury.

-       Aymeric Laporte – Injured.

-       Fabian Delph – Just back in training after illness / injury; apparently is ready to play some part but not selected, would be my guess.

-       Fernandinho - Injured.

-       Phil Foden – Not selected (unless Mendy doesn't convince the physios then, in which case, Phil might get on the bench).

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

Sure do.

Result? Apparently, our hosts tried to go ‘head to head’ with Arsenal in midweek and it failed miserably. I’m just wondering, therefore, if they’re gonna have a ‘change of tact’ and we’re going to face yet another few rows of barriers to-have-to break-down. Possibly.

But they’re capable of getting behind teams and causing some of their own threats and we have to be aware of that, particularly without Fernandinho and the slower-these-days Vinny at the back.

Regardless, I’m going for a City win.

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

Prediction: Win

Result: Win

Expected weather conditions during the game: Both teams do this anyway…but it’ll be a VERY blustery match (40-odd MPH average winds forecasted to whip-off the sea during the game) and, so, the players would be wise to 'keep the ball on the floor'! Not really cold for fans at 11C and it’s unlikely to rain, at least.