No fans; players being regularly tested for a killer virus and, likewise, so many precautions put in place at both training and football grounds that they look like scenes from many an X-files episode.
This is the changed world we all now live in, for now at least…
v Arsenal
 |
| Etihad Stadium |
Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:
(Number correct from starting line-up in the last game, which was way back on 8th March 2020 and where a largely poor performance – and slightly odd starting 11 in my opinion - lead to a 2-0 away defeat to Manyoo: 7/11).
For me, this is very similar in some ways to the start of a new season and, as such, there’s a little more uncertainty with regards to trying-to-get into a manager’s mind player-prediction-wise.
Additionally, I’ll point out for those who may not know or have forgotten, that teams are allowed to sit 9 players on the bench and a manager may use 5 of those during a game but still-only on no more than 3 occasions including the half time interval.
Fluid 4-1-4-1 / 3-6-1:
____________________Aguero____________________
Sterling_________________________________Mahrez
___________De Bruyne_______B. Silva_____________
_____________________Rodri_____________________
Mendy___________________________________Walker
_____________Laporte________Stones_____________
____________________Ederson____________________
Subs: Bravo, Cancelo, Zinchenko, Fernandinho, Gundogan, Foden, D. Silva, Sane, Jesus.
Ed to put the gloves back on for the first time, competitively, in exactly 100 days!
Benjamin & Kyle are likely start as our left & right-wing backs; Aymeric and I recon John to partner in the middle of defence.
Rodders to protect those as well as to-help a more advanced midfield / wing quartet of Raheem, Kevin, Bernardo, who I recon may start in the David role, and Riyad.
Sergio to ‘head up’ all of those.
Claudio the reserve stopper; Joao, Oleksandr & Fernandinho provide defensive cover left, right & centre (with the Brazilian being able to provide reserve defensive midfield cover also, of course). Ilkay, Phil, David, the returning Leroy & Gabriel provide some serious change-options from the side in the creative / attacking department.
Notable absences:
- Nicolas Otamendi – The only notable player not to be selected / saved for the Burnley clash, I think…but I could easily be wrong here of course.
Do I agree with Pep’s (predicted) line-up?
With some doubts over John’s consistency / concentration and Benjamin’s defensive qualities in general against a side that has plenty of attacking threat; I’d have to say, otherwise, I’m more than happy with that starting 11, especially if those two-named-players have decent games.
I’m also happy for Riyad to start and hope, likewise, that he has one of his 8/10 games and not one of his frustrating 5s (a strong, attacking bench should help to keep him and all on his / their toes).
Result? Although, like every other team, our lads will be lacking real match practice and, therefore, will most likely not be 100%...and despite the terrible circumstances that have led to where we are now; I can’t think of another time where our manager has had a full squad where none of his players have been involved in some energy-sapping, international tournament with little rest in-between tournament & domestic duties.
I say that because, as I’ve already mentioned, this really does feel like the start of a new season in many ways.
I’m sure one or two (hopefully no more than that) will pick up first-match niggles and I’m sure also that we’ll see a lot of player rotation as the games fly at us ‘think & fast’ in the coming weeks. However, other than that, that’s a mouth-watering prospect for the remaining games if we can keep most key players fit & available.
But it is first game back after a long time without match practice and tomorrow night (8:15pm KO BST), we might see both teams at only around 85 to 90%.
Similar to the predicted line-up & subs in our first game back following the Covid-19 break, the outcome is a tough one to call. I recon we have the better midfield / wing department than our visitors; they are known to be a little weak at the back and are in need of ‘summer strengthening’ in that area but there’s no doubting that they have attacking players who can cause some serious damage on their day.
They also have a manger who knows us and OUR manager very well indeed and that could well prove to be their biggest gun in their armoury.
Overall, however, I think we’ll start off our 10-game remaining league fixtures with a win. I can see a few goals in this one either way.
Last season’s, corresponding pre-match prediction and result…
Prediction: Win
Result: Won
(There was no pre-match blog posting for that game due to seasonal illness at the time)
Expected weather conditions during the game: Welcome back football, welcome back the rain. Shame really, as most of Wednesday in Manchester is set to be dry & warm. However, some showers are forecasted to start to move in around 5pm and stay with us throughout the match. It might actually come as some relief to the players first game back, as the air might be a little humid prior to KO, which should cool off to a around 17C / 63F during the game.
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To both new and regular readers, I wanted to draw your attention to the ‘Follow my Blog’ feature that I’ve only just added near the top-right-side of my Blog page. If you like my ramblings, then please click and do just that.
Thank you. Also...
...I'd just like to finally add that Blogger is currently updating its site template and, for now at least, I'm not liking it for a few reasons. So, apologies for any stretched-out format and other annoying niggles that might crop up - I'm working to adapt...
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