Can this surely be classed…

…as a ‘dead rubber’ game?! Manchester City v Liverpool in these times of such close rivalry? Will either or both managers see it like that?

As I type this opening gambit before any pre-match press conferences have been conducted, it’s so hard to say for sure.

Perhaps professionalism & pride will play a big part in determining what approach both teams & managers take – I can see Liverpool wanting to go out ‘n’ prove just WHY they won the league so comprehensively and express some celebratory feelings in front of us; whereas I can see our manager & players secretly hurting and wanting to put on a show of our own, after we’ve given our hosts their first guard of honour.

Either way, I hope that whatever our approach may be, Pep will have instilled in his players that Liverpool have nothing but professionalism (and records) to play for now; whereas we have to be mindful that we still have a job to do to secure 2^nd place, as well as TWO MORE cup competitions to compete in (after tucking away both the Community Shield and League Cup)!

Don’t get ‘rolled over’ but don’t go mad, is a strange but necessary message I think Guardiola has to try an’ portray to his players…

The Swarm!

I can’t honestly remember ever seeing such a sustained spell of complete dominance of one football team over another as I witnessed in the first half against Newcastle United last Sunday evening. We were like…yellow an’…pink hornets all over the penned-in home side!

I’ve heard the expression in football, regarding one side dominating the other, where it’s said that the grounds’ staff may-as-well not-have-bothered mowing the other half of the pitch but in THAT case, last Sunday and in the first half; they may-as-well not-have-bothered much trimming the grass outside of Newcastle’s penalty area!

Excellent performance, especially by Kevin & Raheem, and only marred by one suicidal, defensive error again, which we thankfully got away with this time.

Progression to Wembley in yet-another semi-final – I just hope it’s an all-blue final…

v Liverpool

The games are just coming so think ‘n’ fast, so straight to a predicted line-up etc.

Etihad Stadium

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

(Number correct from starting line-up in the last game: 6/11).

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

______________________________________________

 

_____________________Jesus____________________

___Sterling___________________________Mahrez___

 

_____________De Bruyne____Foden______________

Mendy_________________________________Cancelo

 

___________Laporte____Garcia____Walker_________

 

 

_____________________Ederson__________________

Subs: Bravo, Zinchenko, Otamendi, Stones, Rodri, Doyle, Gundogan, D. Silva, B. Silva.

Okay…I’m having a BIT of a play here and, perhaps for once, I’m mixing up what I think Pep might do with what I might be inclined to against the new champions of England.

It is, however, a type of formation we have seen our manager deploy at times and one that, I would suggest, might be of some use tonight.

Ederson back in net after his bench spot in last Sunday’s cup game.

Then…a back-3 / back-5, call it what you will, with attacking wing-backs in the shape of Benjamin & Joao (with more emphasis on attack than defending in this formation) and a central defensive 3 of Aymeric, a returning [from injury] Eric & Kyle. For once, that’s a defence that as some decent pace in it.

Although he has seen a lot of game time since the restart, I just can’t see our manager not starting Kevin for this one, although Guardiola is full of surprises of course. Should the Belgium midfielder start, I think we’ll see the energy of Phil next to him after a little time out with a dead leg.

And then finally, either side of and slightly ahead of them, we have Raheem, Gabriel & Riyad in a fluid attack system.

Claudio made a surprise return last Sunday but now takes his place on the bench as reserve keeper; Oleksandr, Nicolas & John are the defensive change-options from the side. Rodders, Tommy, Ilkay, David & Bernardo are the more creative / attacking subs in ‘the 9’.

Notable absences:

-       Fernandinho – Suspended for the 2^nd of 3 domestic games.

-       Sergio Aguero – Recovering from knee surgery.

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

IF he goes with something like this then yes, I'd be happy with this set up against Liverpool - it has both defensive and attacking qualities in equal measure.

Result? Hufff…flip a coin. Seriously, this is one occasion where I can honestly say that I’m not even getting an instinctual vibe about what the outcome might be. Therefore, short ‘n’ sweet, a fence-sitting draw from me.

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

Prediction: Draw

Result: Won

(Pre-match blog posting from that game)

Expected weather conditions during the game: Nothing much happening at all. Just a light breeze, no rain and fairly cool for the players at-between 13 & 15C.

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