Before I get onto that I must, of course, mention the passing of club legend, Colin Bell. What a very sad loss in such sad times.
I was very young when Colin returned from serious injury in late December 1977 but still, I’ve always felt privileged that I managed to watch my football team with the ‘inside forward’ (attacking midfielder in today’s money) in the team; albeit very fleetingly.
Thoughts are with all of his friends and family, as well as ALL whose lives he-undoubtably touched throughout his amazing career.
R.I.P. fella.
v Manyoo
 |
| Cold Trafford |
Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:
(Number correct from the starting line-up in the last game which, for me blog-wise and due to an interruption caused by Covid-19, was the Newcastle game: 9/11).
Well, this is a derby AND a cup tie and if those are difficult enough to predict; I’m trying to envisage a starting 11 & subs not REALLY knowing who is fit & available! Huh…here goes!
Fluid 4-2-3-1 / 4-1-4-1 / 4-6-0:
______________________________________________
___________________De Bruyne__________________
_Sterling_______________________________Mahrez_
____________________________Foden_____________
___________Gundogan__________________________
_____________________ Rodri____________________
Cancelo__________________________________Walker
_____________Stones__________Dias______________
_____________________Steffen____________________
Subs:
Carson, Mendy,
Zinchenko, Laporte, Mbete, Fernandinho, Palmer, Jesus, Aguero.
UPDATE ALREADY! Both Scott Carson & Cole Palmer have now tested positive for the Coronavirus, along with another member of staff. So, ironically, I think we'll see 18-year old James Trafford step up as reserve keeper and perhaps Felix Nmecha in for Cole.
For reference, we have 2 other keepers out on loan who we could, presumably, recall if needed at some stage; those being Gavin Bazunu & Daniel Grimshaw.
Just two changes from last Sunday? That’s what I’m going for.
Zack continues to be the custodian of the gloves.
Now, although it’s been suggested on one sport-news WEB site that Kyle Walker’s 10-day absence in isolation may have left him off-the-pace fitness wise, I have to assume that unless the virus itself has left him weak then he must have been keeping himself sharp both in his gym at home and in the last couple of days ‘back at camp’. For me, he starts in the right-wing back slot. Being in such fine form, I’m going for Joao to shuffle over to the opposite flank of the defence with John & Ruben continuing their excellent partnership in the middle.
Unless Pep decides to ‘go all cautious again’ at Old Trafford - and he might well do that – I’m going for Rodders to be the only defensive midfielder. I say, “only”; I’m going for in-form Ilkay to start again also and, therefore, I’m sure the Spaniard will get some assistance in that role from the German. And, unless Pep sees a change of plan being a good thing tonight, it should be a dedicated attacking 4 of Raheem, Phil, Riyad & Kevin causing carnage to our host’s defence.
Scott gets a slot on the bench; Benjamin, Oleksandr, Aymeric & Luke are the defensive replacement options from ‘the 9’, assuming Aymeric has recovered from his recent ‘hamstring niggle’ that kept him out of the match-day squad in the last game. Fernandinho, who may well start, Cole, Gabriel & Sergio provide the midfield / attacking personnel changes from the side.
9 subs available for this tie, as you can see; 5 changes are also allowed from this stage onwards in this competition.
Notable absences:
- Ederson – Isolating after testing positive for Covid-19.
- Eric Garcia - Isolating after testing positive for Covid-19.
- Nathan Ake – Injured. No firm details on that - the last I heard was that he, “…wasn’t fit” and that he may have a muscle injury.
- Bernardo Silva – Suspended for this game.
- Ferran Torres - Isolating after testing positive for Covid-19.
Do I agree with Pep’s (predicted) line-up?
Result? I think we might be in for a more exciting game than the last time we met; possibly seeing goals at both ends.
Are our hosts in good form? Well, you’d be daft to suggest otherwise with a last-5 in the league of, W W D W W; climbing to 2nd in the table on the same points as leaders Liverpool AND with a game in hand over the Merseyside reds.
However, I am keen to throw in that they only won their home game against Wolves with a 1-0, deflected winner in the 93rd minute and that their following / last home match was only won by one goal also; courtesy this time of a 61st-minute penalty after Aston Villa had equalised. And having watch most of their 2-2 draw away at Leicester, Ole’s side still have a flaky-looking defence to me.
As for us, our manager has been accused by City fans on several occasions of over-thinking certain, key clashes; especially in the latter stages of the Champions League and I just can’t shake the feeling that he might do so again tonight. If he does, we could end up in a scenario whereby it’s a close (& boring again?) stalemate until the very end and, therefore, risking a slip-up by either side; resulting in a 1-goal defeat to ‘whoever does the slipping’.
If he fights that desire to ‘go cautious’, concentrates on our own game & strengths and goes with something similar to what we enjoyed at Stamford Bridge at the weekend, then I think we’ll be joining Spurs in the final in April.
That’s what I’m going for – a City win.
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: Flippin’ cold! KO (7:45pm GMT) sees a starting temperature of -3 under clear skies. No breeze though, at least, which will come as some blessing; especially those watching from the side. Let’s hope the under-pitch heating is working…
In case you haven’t heard, the Manchester City players will walk out onto the pitch tonight wearing classic-City-style tops with the number 8 on the back in honour of their fallen comrade…
No comments:
Post a Comment