Let’s try ‘n’ finish it

Finishing top of your Champions League group is often important moving forward in the competition but I think, this season in particular, just getting qualification as early as possible is even more important for us when looking at the packed fixture list that lies ahead, particularly in December.

Securing qualification to the knock-out rounds tonight would be a very welcome outcome indeed, as it would allow for some rest / rotation in our last 2 league-stage games, so that we can start gaining some traction in our domestic league.

v Olympiacos

Karaiskaki Stadium

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

(Number correct from the starting line-up in the last game: 10/11).

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

____________________Jesus____________________

 

 

_Sterling_______________________________Torres_

 

____________Foden__________Gundogan_________

 

_________________Fernandinho_________________

Zinchenko______________________________Cancelo

 

_____________Laporte_______Dias_______________

 

 

___________________Ederson____________________

Subs: Steffen, Carson, * Walker, Mendy, Garcia, Stones, Rodri, Doyle, * De Bruyne, * Nmecha, Silva, Torres, Mahrez, Aguero.

Everyone apart from Nathan Ake is fit, we were told by Pep yesterday and, so…

Ederson starts in net.

Cleared of his Covid-19 restriction, I’m guessing also; I would suggest that Oleksandr might be in line for a start on the left flank of the defence. Although our manager, quite righty, is seeing this as an important & difficult fixture, surely this is an opportunity to give Kyle a much-needed rest and although he has played some considerable minutes himself; perhaps Oleksandr coming into the starting 11 will give Joao an opportunity to shift over to his preferred right-hand side. We’ll need to be strong away from home though and, so, I think we’ll see Aymeric & Ruben continue in the middle of the back 4.

Having been back in training for a couple of weeks and assuming his recent stomach bug hasn’t left him feeling weak; I think we might see Fernandinho return as our one & only defensive midfield this evening – 5:55pm GMT. I could be well off with that prediction, as I may be with the left & right-wing backs.

Ahead of the Brazilian, I’m going for our manager to select Raheem, Phil, Ilkay & Ferran.

Gabriel to ‘top the tree’.

12 subs this evening that you can use 5 of, don’t forget, and I think that we’ll see both keepers ‘in there’ as back up to Ed in the form of Zack & Scott. Kyle; a returning Benjamin, Eric & John are the defensive replacement options from the side. Rodders, Tommy, Kevin, Ferran, Riyad & Sergio are in ‘the 12’ as midfield / wing / attacking change-options.

I reckon Sergio will definitely get some minutes at some point to aid his return ahead of Saturday’s league game and if there’s an opportunity to do so; perhaps Aymeric & Ruben might get withdrawn towards the end to rest / protect them.

* Quick update just after posting: I've just learnt that both Kyle Walker & Kevin De Bruyne haven't been included in the match-day squad and are, instead, quite-rightly being rested. * Felix Nmecha comes in...

Notable absences:

-       Nathan Ake – Injured.

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

Yeah, looks good to me.

Result? Since we last met, our hosts have won both of their league games. The last one was against their neighbours / big rivals, which leaves them sitting top of their domestic league. So, they’re definitely going into this game on a high and as our manager has stated in his pre-match press conference, ‘the Thrylos’ shouldn’t be underestimated.

This will be a tough game but, as I’ve said, there’ll surely be a determination form us to put this league stage of the competition to bed ASAP. Additionally, I think our players were left not just frustrated but also hurt by last weekend’s defeat to Spurs so there should be, therefore, a sense of resolve also to get that one out of their collective systems, as well as using this match as a marker to then try ‘n’ change our fortunes domestically moving forward; finding some much-needed consistency too. I hope so.

It might be a narrow one but I’m going for a City win.

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

Prediction: N/A

Result: N/A

Expected weather conditions during the game: After some stormy, northerly winds throughout the day, it mostly settles down in time for KO. There’ll still be a residual stiff wind throughout the game but it shouldn’t affect play in, what looks like, a tightly enclosed stadium. Very little chance of any ‘wet stuff’ and 12C seems like a nice temperature for the players to run around in.