Even the slightly concerning news about our manager’s inconclusive Covid test on Friday turned out fine in the end…
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| St. James' Park |
Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:
(Number correct from the starting line-up in the last game: 9/11).
Fluid 4-1-5-0 / 4-6-0 / 4-3-3:
_______________________________________________
Grealish______________Jesus_________________Silva
____________Foden____________De Bruyne_________
______________________Rodri_____________________
Cancelo___________________________________Walker
____________Laporte____________Dias_____________
_____________________Ederson____________________
Subs: Steffen, Zinchenko, Ake, Stones, Fernandinho, Gundogan, Palmer, Sterling, Mahrez.
With everyone apart from long-term injury and alleged wantaway, Ferran Torres, available for selection; whoever gets left out of ‘the 11’ is going to be of high quality and disappointed, I’m sure, at not-being involved ‘from the off’.
Ederson is a ‘sure starter’ in net.
Surely our arguably strongest defence will be utilised this afternoon (2:00pm KO GMT – a game that was brought forward ever-so-slightly from 2:15pm following a very request from broadcasters) and if that’s the case; I think that will look like Joao, Aymeric, Ruben & Kyle…although the Manchester Evening News noted and reported just yesterday that Kyle was absent from training with the rest of the squad…(?)
Rodders is the deeper for the midfielders and ahead of him; I think our fluid, ‘interchangeable 5’ will include Jack, Phil, Gabriel, Kevin & Bernardo this afternoon.
Zack is the reserve stopper; Oleksandr, Nathan & John are the back-up defenders in ‘the 9’. Fernandinho, Ilkay, Cole, Raheem & Riyad are on the side as replacement options in the midfield / wing / attacking department.
Notable absences:
- Benjamin Mendy – Suspended by the club until further notice.
- Ferran Torres – Out with a foot injury until some time in January. Apparently, the Spaniard posted a picture of himself earlier this month; showing himself in Manchester City training gear and kicking a ball at the CFA.
Do I agree with Pep’s (predicted) line-up?
Almost. I think if we have ‘all available’ and you, therefore, have the means to pick your strongest side; I believe that means Ilkay in for Jack and putting Phil on the left. However, I think our manager will want Jack to build up some momentum following a ‘good showing’ last time out; amidst some growing criticism and questions being asked by some in recent weeks.
I might be wrong in another area also – it would seem a little odd to leave Raheem out of two, back-to-back ‘starting 11s’ after an upturn in performances and decent run of form in recent weeks; although it was pointed out by a number of blues following our big, big midweek win that we looked far more fluid without the England international…
Result? This is definitely a game where we don’t want to show any complacency – not only have we struggled a little at St. James’ in a few, recent seasons but also…beware an animal that’s battling for its very, Premier League life, I say; backed up also by 50,000+ screaming home fans.
However, despite what I’ve just said, I have to think that with everyone fit and with the form that we’re in; I can’t see anything other than a City win. 3 more points to us.
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: Overcast, dry, a rather nippy 4C and a very light, northerly breeze. We could even see some ‘fog on the…’
Just a point of note: Of the 46, top 4-division league games that could have gone ahead this weekend, only 14 have / will play out! Wow and…yikes!
I don’t wish to sound all ‘doom & gloom’ – that’s the last thing we all need – but it really is starting to feel like everything, not just football, is very quickly grinding to a halt…
Stay safe everyone; have a great Christmas and thank you for taking the time to read.
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