Set up to counter the counter?

It’s is like Pep to study opposition footage in the build-up to a game once focus is on the next fixture, as he has told us himself in various press conferences…but I don’t think it’s like him to OVER-think our next opponent and, therefore, pick an 11 accordingly. There have been arguments both for & against whether he’d be wise to do that on some occasions; especially in so-called, “big games”…

However, when I started to think about this game even before the English national team had ‘kicked a ball in anger’ during the recent international break, can you believe (I think I was already missing seeing my team play after just 5 days), I had a thought that Mr Guardiola might…might just set up his side knowing that despite some inconsistencies and some imperfections our hosts sometimes display; one thing ‘The Foxes’ are very, very good at is ripping through you at lightning speed whenever you ‘drop your guard’ or see the slightest of gaps in your defences.

We shall see…

v Leicester City

The King Power Stadium

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

(Number correct from the starting line-up in the last game: 8/11).

Lots of uncertainty here, as Pep conceded that they still have returning players from international duty to look at after the press conference in terms of fitness / recovery rates; the delay, which, has been forced by the timing of Covid-19 ‘bubbles’ and when returning players could join their teammates.

Fluid 4-1-5-0 / 4-2-4-0 / 4-6-0:

______________________________________________

 

Jesus___________________________________Mahrez

_________De Bruyne____________Silva____________

 

___________________Gundogan___________________

 

__________________Fernandinho__________________

Zinchenko________________________________Walker

 

____________Laporte__________Dias______________

 

 

____________________Ederson___________________

Subs: Steffen, Cancelo, Mendy, Stones, Rodri, Foden, Torres, Sterling, Aguero.

Ederson – one player who remained in Manchester as the Brazil national side’s fixtures were postponed due to those countries being on the UK & others’ ‘RED LIST’ – starts in net.

A little pace – and good defending - required for this one and, so, I think we might see Oleksandr & Kyle on the flanks of the defence for this fixture. With John Stones playing so many minutes for his country and still needing occasional injury-niggle ‘flare ups’ monitoring / managed; I think this is a perfect opportunity for ‘international exile’, Aymeric, to step in. Ruben is his likely partner, despite playing a lot of minutes for Portugal, I believe.

Rested / Manchester-based for the last 2 weeks could result in Fernandinho getting the deepest of the midfield roles this evening (5:30pm KO BST). That’s what I’m going for.

Then, ahead of our skipper, I personally think we’re gonna see a fluid midfield / wing 5 attack. If I’m right, then I think Ilkay will get a dual role of helping his captain with some defensive duties whilst, at the same time, continuing his fine attacking form. More dedicated in their attacking duties; I’m going for Gabriel to get a largely left-wing role this evening, with Riyad on the other side and Kevin & Bernardo in-between those, with no out & out striker.

Zack is the reserve ‘stopper’; Joao – who COULD get a midfield starting place ahead of Ilkay – Benjamin & John are the back-up defenders in ‘the 9’. Rodders, Phil, Ferran, Raheem & Sergio provide the midfield / wing / attacking options from ‘the bench’.

Notable absences:

-       Eric Garcia – Not selected.

-       Nathan Ake – Not selected.

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

I’d have to say, all things considered with regards to the strengths of our hosts as well as the number of minutes some of our players have played for their various countries over the last week or so…yes.

What I’m slightly suggesting there is that, on both form & ability, I’d more often than not like to see Phil being given a starting place; whether that be on the left or in the middle. And that might well be the case later on today but with Foden being used by Gareth Southgate for 45 minutes in the first game and then 80+ minutes in both the 2^nd & 3^rd matches…AND with Borussia Dortmund coming up as early as Tuesday; I think Phil starts on the bench today.

Result? I think it’s a tough game, is this.

And although it’s the same for both sides, I think the first game back after an international break often comes with a little uncertainty; perhaps a little rustiness in terms of getting the team rhythm back and, therefore, some unpredictability.

The men in royal blue may, apparently, be welcoming back some important players after a number of weeks out injured, which should give the home side a timely boost as they attempt to strengthen their ‘top 3’ position and, indeed, push for a move to a runners-up spot. Whether those returning players will start – or how close they are to being 100% - is one for time to tell us.

As for us, if we hit the ground running and continue the fine form (4 wins from the last 4 with 12 goals scored) then I’m sure we’ll provide a far stiffer test than the last time we faced these.

In the league, both sides finished [before the international break] with 2 back-to-back wins following mixed results / dropped points and aside from the massive 15-point gap between us; in some ways this is a close one to call.

For that reason – along with a ‘gut feeling’ that I have to follow – I’m going for a score draw…and I’ve seen more than one on-line posting from City fans in the last few days saying that they’d take that.

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

Prediction: Draw

Result: Won

(There was no pre-match blog posting for that game due to me being away on holiday – REMEMBER THOSE?!)

Expected weather conditions during the game: Dry, sunny…perhaps slightly chilly. 8C is the official temperature during the game but as the winds have moved to a more-northerly direction (it’s gonna feel like winter has returned on Monday, folks) and will be blowing in at around 10MPH; that 8C is more likely to feel like 3 or 4C I’m sure. Nothing to affect the game though.