Blue chews-daze: Apprentice versus the Master?

I’m not sure that is the case but, at the very least, Pep Guardiola does put tomorrow’s more-senior opposite number, Marcelo Bielsa, on a very high pedestal.

v Leeds United

Elland Road

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

(Number correct from the starting line-up in the last game: A really poor 5/11 in the League Cup last Wednesday night; as Pep sprung several surprises in a much-stronger-than-expected line-up).

Fluid 4-1-5-0 / 4-6-0 / 3-7-0:

______________________________________________

___________________Sterling____________________

__Torres______________________________Mahrez__

___________De Bruyne______Foden_______________

_________________Fernandinho__________________

Mendy___________________________________Walker

____________Laporte_________Dias_______________

___________________Ederson____________________

Subs: Steffen, Ake, Garcia, Rodri, Doyle, Silva, Delap (all nice-short surnames there! 😊).

Ederson continues the pass the parcel and reclaims the gloves for this league game.

Left-wing back should be Benjamin; right-wing back should be well-used-so-far, Kyle. Will they? Won’t they? I’m going…yes, they will. Aymeric & new-singing Ruben to start & partner in the middle of the defence. Exciting…

I think we’ll only see one defensive midfielder for this clash and I’m going for Fernandinho to be that fella.

A sort of…5, in a way, ahead of the Brazilian – an exciting combination of Kevin, Phil, Ferran, Riyad & Raheem.

Zack is back as reserve stopper; Nathan & Eric the defensive replacement options from the side. Rodders, Tommy, Bernardo & Liam likely to provide the midfield / wing / attacking choice-replacements from ‘the 7’.

Notable absences:

- Joao Cancelo – Out until about mid-October with a foot injury.

- Oleksandr Zinchenko – Having made an unexpected and brief appearance recently on the bench v Leicester; the young Ukrainian was then-apparently injured in training. I just wonder, though, Nicolas Otamendi-style, whether Oleksandr is being given time to ponder / ‘plan for’ a move away; as we continue to be linked with Argentine Nicolas Tagliafico (love that surname), from Ajax.

- Ilkay Gundogan – The good news is that he’s re-joined the squad after Covid-19 isolation. However, he is yet to train with his teammates and the German international will now use the international break to try 'n' get himself up to speed.

- Gabriel Jesus – Out until at least mid-October with a muscular injury.

- Sergio Aguero – Training alone / recovering slowly from knee surgery. Expected to return around early-to-mid November.

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

If Mendy & Mahrez perform, I’m quite excited with that predicted line-up & formation. As I’ve said, I’m really looking forward to seeing the centre-back partnership, should that happen tomorrow.

Result? If this game goes ahead (see weather forecast below), then I’m REALLY looking forward to this game!

And do you know what? If I’m right about ‘the 11’ etc. and the team in general performs well; I’ve got a good feeling about this one in-that…not only do I think we’ll win but I also think we’ll get a few goals and keep a clean sheet! 3 points to 'the Blues' (or more-likely the players dressed in black).

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

Prediction: N/A

Result: N/A