5 wins from 5 for us in all competitions is something to be heartened by, to say the very least, and I think that it makes for an interesting fixture against a side who had a terrible run of results; resulting in them departing with their manager and recruiting ex-Rangers Manager, Steven Gerrard; a decision that’s seen the new Villans’ boss get 2 wins from his first 2 games in charge.
Game on!
 |
| Villa Park |
Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:
(Number correct from the starting line-up in the last game: 11/11).
Fluid 4-1-5-0 / 4-6-0 / 4-3-3:
______________________________________________
Sterling______________Jesus______________Mahrez
_________Gundogan______________Silva__________
_____________________Rodri____________________
Cancelo_________________________________Walker
____________Stones____________Dias_____________
____________________Ederson___________________
Subs: Steffen, Carson, Zinchenko, Ake, Fernandinho, Palmer, Foden, McAtee, Grealish.
With our manager bemoaning slightly in his pre-match interview that he has a reduced number of fit players available for a variety of reasons, there’s a chance that we might not see a full bench compliment tonight.
I’m gonna save myself some ‘typing time’ here and on this occasion to simply say…’same 11’ as last Sunday, is my guess.
As for the bench, we might see two keepers in the form of Zack & Scott, with Oleksandr & Nathan the only two defenders on the side. Fernandinho, Cole, Phil, James & Jack are the midfield / wing / attacking choices in ‘the 9’…should we take a ‘full 20’ with us.
Notable absences:
- Aymeric Laporte – Suspended for this game.
- Benjamin Mendy – Suspended by the club until further notice.
- Kevin De Bruyne – Back out from Covid-19 isolation but hasn’t yet trained; certainly not with his teammates, as yet. Therefore, this fixture is highly likely to-have come too soon for the Belgium international.
- Ferran Torres – Out with a foot injury until around Christmas time.
Do I agree with Pep’s (predicted) line-up?
Result? This game has all the hallmarks of being a tricky fixture and I think our hosts will have their collective ‘tails up’ for this one. They could well score and give us a scare or two.
However, I believe that our momentum and
quality will see us through this one. It’s another City win for me; a game I might not get to see at all or certainly, at least, not the second half (I'm glad I managed to get a blog-posting out though).
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 but dry, at least. 2C is the official [forecasted] temperature but it comes with a brisk, northerly breeze that will make it feel closer to zero or below, for sure. Warm clothing, pies & warm drinks for those in the stands that ‘feel it’; gloves for those outfield players who don’t like their ‘little pinkies’ feeling the chill, I would suggest.
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