Unscathed and ready to go again.

With some players not involved in international games for a variety of reasons and those who did fly out coming back with no issues (apart from illness to Ilkay Gundogan), it’s ‘thumbs up’ and 'all systems go’ for re-launch!

v Norwich City

 

Carrow Road

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____________________

Sterling_________________________________B. Silva

___________D. Silva___________De Bruyne_________

_____________________Rodri_____________________

Zinchenko________________________________Walker

_____________Stones_________Otamendi___________

____________________Ederson____________________

Subs: Bravo, Cancelo, Fernandinho, Foden, Gundogan, Mahrez, Jesus.

As my opening title suggest, it’s a very strong-available squad that travels to The Canaries tomorrow tea time; starting with Ed in net.

Oleksandr & Kyle should start on the left & right attacking wing-back flanks, with Nicholas and the returning-from-injury John in between those.

Rodders has the ‘holding role’; while Raheem, David, Kevin and Bernardo are my suggested, attacking midfield / wingers.

Sergio to head all of those again.

A quick word on some of those who did go to play for their countries in the last few days – there were some EXCELLENT performances / reports!

Claudio the back-up stopper; Joao & Fernandinho the defensive options from the side. Phil (another recipient of good reports for the England Under 21s), Ilkay (apparently over his sickness), Riyad & a returning, also, Gabriel make up the more attacking choices from ‘the 7’.

Notable absences:

-       Benjamin Mendy – Continues his full training regime – being managed to make sure he’s fully ready when the time comes.

-       Angelino – Not selected.

-       Aymeric Laporte – Expected to be ready around March 2020 after recent surgery.

-       Leroy Sane – Now expected to be ready around January 2020, which is better news than the initial February / March return-estimate!

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

Certainly do!

Result? In recent years, certainly, we are THEIR bogey side…and I can’t see that changing tomorrow.

However, I like their Manager’s approach and they did themselves proud in last season’s promotion campaign. And, of course, there’s the...‘Pukki factor’ – an excellent player who I like a lot! So much, in fact, that I stuck him right into my Fantasy Football team before the start of the season, which is paying dividends. Other good Norwich players are available...

They – he – might score and I think it’ll be a really good game. However, I’ve just got a sense that we’ll be in devastating form on Saturday evening and in addition to an away win, for me; it could be by a big score too!

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

Prediction: N/A

Result: N/A

Expected weather conditions during the game: Beautiful day / evening for footy…and anything else outdoors for that matter! Unbroken sunshine all day and during the game, 66F isn’t bad at all!

Another quick word on our legend’s, Vinny, testimonial match last Wednesday; in that it was a really good game and wonderful occasion! Well done to all who took part / made it happened and the fans who turned up in numbers. And…how fit / good did Martin Petrov look?!