…do we have to be careful they don’t steal our chips?
36 points isn’t usually a tally that sees a side definitely safe to stay up in the Premier League; indeed, a further 4 points on top of that tally is the number often deemed, “safe”.
But when you look at the teams below them - particularly the bottom 3 - and how many points they are behind our hosts this evening and considering also the poor form they’re all in; it’s difficult to imagine Brighton being caught up now.
Still…we can’t - and must not - be complacent as we push to secure a 2nd-place finish, as well as to try an’ gain some league consistency in our 4 remaining fixtures (separated by an important F.A Cup tie).
A few words…
…on last Wednesday’s game while I have the time to do so at the moment.
I thought it had the ‘training session feel’ of our recent win over Burnley mixed with a repeat of our dominance over the same Newcastle side we knocked out of the F.A. Cup the other week. I felt, at times and in a strange way, that the so-very-obvious-gulf was embarrassing to watch and while the commentator / co-commentator was berating some of Newcastle’s poor play, I just thought, well…what can they do?! It was like a blue storm coming at them from all angles!
In fact, at one stage, it got to the point where the storm then seemed to blow itself out, when both sets of players seemed to-almost stop as the play went into ‘slow-mo passing mode’ (with us doing all the passing, of course). At that time, I found myself muttering quietly, “Go on! Go at ‘em – they’re there for the taking”. But I was then quickly & wisely reminded by, perhaps the same commentator, that Pep had probably instructed his players not to push themselves unnecessarily. And it just wasn’t necessary after a while…
Notable points about some players?
- Joao Cancelo – A fairly poor game after such a good one at Southampton. If either party isn’t happy with the situation and he’s gonna leave us before the 5th October deadline AND we don’t have a young, right-wing back ready to rotate with Kyle; then that’s 3 defenders we need to bring in for the 2020-21 season, in my opinion.
- Nicolas Otamendi – With little to panic about against The Magpies, he somehow managed to…twice! Having said that, I’d rather see him boot it out into the seats than dither and lose possession…but that’s about as complimentary as I can get about a player who brings new meaning to the phrase, “fading force”.
-
Rodri – Had a really good game. He got himself involved both defensively
& offensively in equally-good measures. He's rapidly become a key player for us.
- David Silva – Going out with a bang! He really does set the tempo of so much of our play. He’ll be 35 in January and he still, quite rightly, got 9/10 in a Premier League game from the MEN! Wow…
- Phil Foden – What a player he is and is going to be! Another very good game…and that’s despite missing 2 chances he should have done a lot better with.
- Kevin De Bruyne – Just another flippin’ good game from, surely, our player of the season.
- Gabriel Jesus – Better and, crucially, he scored (I was so pleased for him). Still looks to have some self-doubt but…better.
- Tommy Doyle – Great to see him have a run out, as his teammates tried like mad to get him involved and get him on the scoresheet, which was heartening to see.
v Brighton & Hove Albion
 |
| The Amex / Falmer Stadium |
Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:
(Number correct from the starting line-up in the last game: 6/11).
Fluid 4-1-4-1 / 3-6-1:
_____________________Jesus____________________
Sterling_________________________________Mahrez
_____________Foden__________B. Silva___________
___________________Gundogan__________________
Zinchenko______________________________Cancelo
______________Laporte_______Garcia_____________
____________________Ederson___________________
Subs: Bravo, Walker, Otamendi, Harwood-Bellis, Stones, Fernandinho, Rodri, Doyle, D. Silva.
It’s SO difficult to predict with our manager wanting-to-not ‘risk’ ahead of more important cup fixtures that are on the horizon whilst, at the same time, wanting to-also gain & keep some momentum. So, my best guess is…
Ederson remains our league keeper.
I’m going for the same left & right-wing backs to start again, so Oleksandr & Joao sit either side of Aymeric & Eric, who might now just need another run-out together before a possible rest in the next league game ready for them to return in the all-important F.A. Cup semi-final.
I’m going for Ilkay to come back into the starting 11 as defensive midfielder; Raheem, Phil, Bernardo & Riyad are the more creative / attacking midfielders / wingers ahead of the German international.
Gabriel to carry on the lone striker role.
Claudio waits for his cup appearance on the side as reserve stopper; Kyle is being treated with care at the moment and so might only be used from the bench, with Nicolas, Taylor & John making up a lot of defensive replacement options from ‘the 9’. Fernandinho himself can play in defence of course and I might be wrong about him not starting tonight in some capacity. Rodders, Tommy & David make up the rest of the midfielders on the bench.
Notable absences:
- Benjamin Mendy – Rested / not risked / slight muscle niggle, apparently.
- Kevin De Bruyne – Rested / not risked at all, I would guess.
- Sergio Aguero – Recovering from injury / surgery.
Do I agree with Pep’s (predicted) line-up?
Under the circumstances with regards to more important, up & coming fixtures, I’m fine with that 11 for this one.
Result? Brighton’s last 5 form couldn't be more patchwork if it tried - looking, as it does, W D L W L. But, as I’ve alluded to already, while those sides around them have struggled since the restart, The Seagulls have gone about picking up crucial points.
Graham Potter has stamped his mark on his south coast side and receives a lot of praise from his peers and pundits alike. And going into this clash, apart from one, long-term injury he has a fully fit squad to choose from this evening.
Graham's sides like to 'keep ball' and he's known to be a very attack-minded manager, so it'll be interesting to see who can keep the 'round thing' the longest. Apparently he's also known for using many different systems, which makes it difficult for opposing managers to plot against.
I don’t need to tell dedicated Blues that consistency in the Prem has been our major problem and, so, a look at our last 10 of, L W W L W W L W L W could be a cause of some concern going into this fixture.
But I’ve got to go with my instincts and although I don’t think it’ll be a Burnley or Newcastle-type score, I think we’ll be taking all-3 points back up to Manchester with us whilst, at the same time, securing that runners-up spot. Goals at both ends? Perhaps...but this is an away win for me.
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: A nice evening! Around 16C, sunny and just a gentle breeze.
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