Deep breath and ‘go again’.

If being 2^nd in the league could be possibly described as a ‘wounded animal’, we’ve had 2 weeks to ‘lick our wounds’ after going into the international break on a home defeat and poor performance (and some poor team selections in my opinion).

But we move on…and we move to South London to face a Crystal Palace side who are undefeated at home, to test our resolve.

v Crystal Palace

Selhurst Park

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

(Number correct from starting line-up in the last game: 9/11).

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

____________________Jesus____________________

Sterling_________________________________Mahrez

__________D. Silva_____________De Bruyne________

_____________________Rodri_____________________

Zinchenko________________________________Walker

_________Fernandinho________Otamendi__________

____________________Ederson____________________

Subs: Bravo, Cancelo, Angelino, Stones, Gundogan, B. Silva, Aguero.

Ederson the automatic selection in net for this one.

While it’s likely that Oleksandr & Kyle will be chosen for this one too, there is a little question mark about who our manager will pick in-between those at the back. With the 2-week rest, I think it is unlikely that makeshift, central defender Fernandinho will miss out tomorrow and I think also, despite some questionable performances, that Pep will want to give Argentine Nicolas another ‘crack’ alongside him.

Rodders protecting those and ahead of him, it’s a much-welcome return for Kevin, who should partner rested David in the middle. Raheem & Riyad on the wings and I’m going for Guardiola to choose Gabriel ahead of Sergio tomorrow evening, which has nothing to do with his car crash incident the other day.

Claudio the back-up keeper; Joao, Angelino and the returning John as reserve defenders. Ilkay, Bernardo and Sergio the more creative / attacking choices form ‘the 7’.

Notable absences:

-       Benjamin Mendy – Has returned to training but is not quite ready for this fixture, apparently.

-       Aymeric Laporte – Expected return of around March 2020.

-       Phil Foden – Not selected.

-       Leroy Sane – Expected return of around January 2020.

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

I’d have to say yes, with any hesitation being about Otamendi and, perhaps, wanting to see young Garcia being given a chance ‘in there’ instead. But…yeah.

Result? Well, with the usual raucous home crown behind them and a chance that, with a win, our hosts can, in fact, go above us with a win; this will be no easy fixture at all!

However, we’ve had time to assess and, hopefully, ‘right some wrongs’ from just-prior to the international break and with both Kevin back and Palace’s low-scoring record so far; I think we’ll be heading back to Manchester with all-3 points. It’s an away win for me – anything less would be troubling to say the least in the early title race…

Prediction: Win

Result: Win

(Pre-match blog posting from that game)

Expected weather conditions during the game: Dry and before it disappears behind the stands, the game should start a little sunny too. 13C isn’t too bad for an evening in mid-to-late October but with a light breeze in the evening air, it’s definitely coat time for the fans. Good conditions for a game of footy though.