Next…

Real Madrid away in the Champions League, Aston Villa away from the Etihad in the League Cup final and Sheffield Wednesday away in the F.A. Cup. 3 games, 3 different competition and 3 wins.

Away in the Borough of Trafford in the Premier League next…

v Manyoo

Scaffold Trafford

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

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

Fluid 4-1-5-0 / 3-7-0:

______________________________________________

____________________Aguero____________________

Jesus___________________________________B. Silva

_____________Foden________De Bruyne___________

Mendy_______________Rodri_______________Walker

____________Otamendi______Fernandinho__________

____________________Ederson_____________________

Subs: Bravo, Zinchenko, Stones, Gundogan, D. Silva, Mahrez, Sterling.

As you can see, I’m going for our manager to deploy one of those formations that we’ve seen from time-to-time; one that he has used against Manyoo before and one, where, we don’t necessarily have someone playing in an out & out striking role…

Straight-forward one though first – Ederson reclaims the gloves for this encounter.

I think the central-two defensive players will take the form of Nicolas & Fernandinho and will be periodically joined by both Benjamin & Kyle on the flanks. Additionally, when the gameplay / shape suite and those wing-backs ‘push on’ to support the wingers higher up the pitch, Rodders will join them in ‘a 3’ at the back. It's all very techical & fluid, isn't it?

Then, I think, we’ll see a very fluid-also, attacking 5 of Gabriel on the left, Bernardo on the right with Phil, Kevin (has had a niggle in his back but has been improving in the last few days / I’m going for him to start) & Sergio more down the middle.

Claudio takes a seat after two, back-to-back games; Oleksandr & John provide defensive cover from the side. Ilkay, David, Riyad & Raheem are the rather impressive midfield / wing options we have in ‘the 7’.

Notable absences:

-       Aymeric Laporte – Out for around 2-½ to 3 weeks with a hamstring injury.

-       Joao Cancelo – Not selected. Didn’t really take his midweek chance and isn’t playing with a happy face. I think he’s just seeing out his time now in a very expensive move that just hasn’t worked out and, from what I’ve seen and heard, I think our manager just doesn’t see the desire in his eyes; no willingness to fight for his place that he may think should be his by default.

-       Leroy Sane – Has apparently made big progress but his fitness is not 100% for game participation just yet.

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

Yeah, I like that.

Result? They certainly have players who can cause damage on their day and a new threat also, which comes with the name, Bruno Fernandes; a winter transfer signing who has a good range of accurate passing and who can both score & create aplenty...if allowed to.

They’re in decent form and there’s definitely more riding on this fixture for them too. However, if that predicted set-up works and our players are on their ‘A game’; I can honestly see this being another City masterclass at Cold Trafford.

I’m going for a City win.

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

Prediction: Win

Result: Won

(Pre-match blog posting from that game)

Expected weather conditions during the game: Sunshine & showers and quite blustery. 8 or 9C is the official temperature forecast during the game but those conditions might make it feel a little cooler sat (or stood) in the stands. Rain continues for the ride / walk home…