Rotation, rotation, rotation.

Well, I only managed to get 7 starting-11 player-predictions correct from ‘the 11’ against Everton last Saturday but I think that’s not only because Pep is trying to keep his players both fresh for all competitions as well as ‘on their toes’ in general…but also, so many of our midfield / wing players in particular are playing so very well when asked to step into a starting place; that it’s now becoming difficult to see who deserves a starting place in the following game more than the next fella!

That’s great situation to be in, of course.

v Dinamo Zagreb

Etihad Stadium

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

(Number correct from starting line-up in the last game: 7/11).

A lot of my predictions come with getting into the mindset of the manager over time, as well as gauging who is likely to play depending on the opposition as well as how many games a player has played; looking at their fitness levels etc. with up & coming fixtures in mind also.

However, some of it relies on instinct and that ‘gut feeling’, occasionally, sends you down a different ‘line of thinking’ with regards to formation & personnel.

And, so, on that note, here’s a bit of a ‘wildcard’ guess at tonight’s starting 11…

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

____________________Aguero____________________

____________________Sterling____________________

_________D. Silva_____Foden______B. Silva________

_____________________Rodri_____________________

Mendy__________________________________Cancelo

____________Garcia___________Otamendi__________

____________________Ederson____________________

Subs: Bravo, Walker, Zinchenko, Fernandinho, Gundogan, Mahrez, Jesus.

Assuming Ed’s finger is okay from a rather sore-looking injury sustained towards the back end of last Saturday’s game; he should be between the sticks tonight.

My whole guessing-change-of-formation relies on our left & right-wing backs really bombing forward against our Croatian visitors and, for that, I think we’ll see starts for both Benjamin & Joao; giving “the usual pair” a night starting from the side after a tough, hard-fought game at the weekend. Nicolas to ‘go again’ but I’m really going to ‘stick my neck out’ here and suggest that Eric is going to ‘get the nod’ from his boss; resting Fernandinho who played just 72-hours earlier.

Rodders to play extra deep in midfield; almost as a 3^rd central defender at times, I would suggest with this predicted line-up.

Then, I’m going for a more-narrow, midfield-3 of David, Phil and Bernardo.

Raheem to ‘roam’ left, right and in support of Sergio ‘front & centre’.

I told you it was a ‘weird one’ from me…

Claudio is the reserve stopper; Kyle, Oleksandr & Fernandinho ‘in there’ as defensive replacement options. The next 3 all played at the weekend and, so, I’m going for them to be in reserve as more attacking options from the side – Ilkay, the increasingly impressive Riyad and Gabriel being those players.

Notable absences:

-       Angelino – Not selected.

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

-       John Stones – Injured for around another 3 weeks.

-       Kevin De Bruyne – Although we’ve had no official news that there is definitely an issue with Kev, he was withdrawn as a precaution last Saturday after “feeling something” wrong with one of his legs. Therefore, I’m going for the Manchester City staff not to, once again, risk losing such a valued and in-form player and will, instead, wait on the Belgium being fully clear of whatever the ‘niggle’ might be.

-       Leroy Sane – Expected to be ready around January.

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

SHOULD he go with this setup, I would be a little concerned that a ‘bombing forward’ Mendy might leave young Garcia a little exposed. However, other than that, I could see this packed midfield with flying, overlapping wingbacks being a potent option, especially with 1-½ strikers up front too.

Result? Of course, I’m not going to know too much about the ‘oppo’ without spending a lot more time studying them; over & above looking at their league table standing of course. Although they sit 2^nd in their league, just 1-oint behind the leader with a game in hand; they are showing some inconsistency of late. Despite that, however, they have only conceded 4 goals in their opening 9, league games…so we’ll need all of those attacking options I’ve mentioned to ‘open them up’.

I find these games are more unpredictable then domestic games; certainly, domestic league games and I think it’ll be a case of facing a side who will look to counter attack with pace & aggression.

I can see quite a few goals - and perhaps one going past Ederson – but I think we’ll make it 2 from 2 Champions League wins tonight.

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

Prediction: N/A

Result: N/A

Expected weather conditions during the game: Chilly but should be dry for the match after a drizzly day. 9C and cloudy and with a light, Northerly breeze makes it most-definitely 'warm coat time' for the fans, I would suggest.