v Borussia Dortmund

I get the feeling this could be a crackin’ game…

v Borussia Dortmund

Etihad Stadium

 

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

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

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

____________________Jesus_____________________

 

 

Foden____________________________________Silva

 

_________Gundogan__________De Bruyne_________

 

_____________________Rodri_____________________

Zinchenko_______________________________Cancelo

 

____________Stones___________Dias______________

 

 

____________________Ederson___________________

Subs: Carson, Steffen, Mendy, Walker, Ake, Garcia, Laporte, Fernandinho, Mahrez, Torres, Sterling, Aguero.

With some rested / protected at the weekend, I think we’ll see some rotation from last Saturday’s game…but Ederson isn’t one of ‘em; as he keeps hold of the gloves for this one.

I think we’ll see an almost completely different back 4 from our win over Leicester City, with Oleksandr, John & Joao coming in to join ‘go again’ Ruben, who I think might get a rest in our weekend’s clash with Leeds United.

Just one defensive midfielder, I reckon, for this one and it’s Rodders who ‘gets the nod’ for that place. Ahead of the Portuguese protector I think we’ll see 3 rested / protected figures coming into ‘the 11’, with Phil, Ilkay, Bernardo all joining Kevin, who is likely to be asked to start again in the hope of us-going into the second leg with a significant result before we travel to Germany.

If we are to go with a striker for this home leg, and I think we will, then I’m going for Gabriel to get that spot.

That’s 6 changes / rested players to start this one…

Not sure what happened to Zack at the weekend as Scott got the reserve keeper slot on the bench of 9 at the King Power Stadium but I’ve got no reason – and no news either – to suggest that both stoppers should be in ‘the 12’ tonight, as we’ve seen in previous rounds. Benjamin, Kyle, Nathan, Eric & Aymeric provide the rather large contingent of back-up defenders; similarly, Fernandinho, Riyad, Ferran, Raheem & Sergio as midfield / wing / striker replacement options from the side. Not a bad (large) bench, hey?

Notable absences:

None. I don’t think I’ve ever been able to say that which is, of course, down to us-having no injuries but also because of the large bench allowed in this competition this season.

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

Yep, happy with that.

Result? A side packed with talented players but who, for whatever reason, aren’t having the best of seasons Bundesliga-wise, which sees them laying 5^th with an even bigger gap between them and leaders Bayern Munich than sits between us & Manyoo.

Erratic league form with a last 5 that reads, W L W D L and 4 injuries to what can be classed as ‘first team regulars’ both long-term and recently-suffered (including a certain Jadon Sancho) should be sources of good news to us. And they are, in a way…but Pep won’t see it like that and nor should he – even in a 2-legged round these matches are like finals in themselves and our visitors are more than capable of winning a 'one-off, final-like game', even against top opposition.

I’m not sure whether you, the reader, feel the same as I do about us this season but whereas I think we’ve had more vibrant, trophy-winning teams in recent years under Guardiola; this season, I feel more confident of getting a win because we seem far more professional in the way we control games, along with the ability to nullify (completely sometimes) the opposition for the most part and in most games.

If our manager doesn’t OVER think this one and every player does their part, as they usually do, then I go into this game feeling assured that we’ll lead at the 2-legged, “half time interval", as it's often referred to as. I think it’s crucial that we have so many key players coming back into tonight’s 11, assuming I’m right of course, all of whom were rested in our last domestic outing and I’m going for a City win tonight (8:00pm KO BST). A clean sheet would be nice but, if not, at least a 2-goal cushion to take to Germany next week would be good.

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

Prediction: N/A

Result: N/A

Expected weather conditions during the game: Cold. The game starts at just 3C and then dips a degree or two as time ticks on. However, the northerly breeze of 7 to 9MPH that accompanies those official temperatures is likely to make it feel like zero or below and, so, I think we’ll see at least half as many pairs of gloves being worn by the players as boots. No conditions that will affect the game though and, in fact, the players ‘busting a gut’ for 90+ minutes might just appreciate the chill in the air.