Tough game ahead in Portugal, I would suggest

I suppose most of ‘em are in this competition; especially from this stage onwards…

v Sporting CP

The rather green-looking, José Alvalade Stadium

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

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

Fluid 4-1-5-0 / 4-6-0 / 4-3-3:

______________________________________________

 

Sterling_____________De Bruyne___________Mahrez

 

__________Foden_________________Silva__________

 

______________________Rodri____________________

Cancelo__________________________________Stones

 

___________Laporte______________Dias___________

 

 

_____________________Ederson__________________

Subs: Carson, Slicker, Zinchenko, Ake, Mbete, Fernandinho, Lavia, Gundogan, McAtee, Kayky, Delap.

Ederson continues to have ownership of the gloves.

A strongly-predicted back-4 comes in the form of Joao, Aymeric, Ruben & John.

Rodders to both help the defence and link up with the interchangeable, attacking 5 ahead of him, which I think will consist of Raheem, Phil, Kevin, Bernardo & Riyad.

Both Scott & Cieran provide keeper cover; Oleksandr, Nathan & Luke are the defensive replacement options in ‘the 11’ (from 12 allowed). Fernandinho, Romeo, Ilkay, James, Kayky & Liam are the midfielders / wingers / strikers available on the side.

Notable absences:

-       Zack Steffen – Hasn’t travelled with the squad having been reported as injured. No details on what the injury is or how long the American keeper will be out for so any speculation about whether it’s a ‘flare up’ of a recent back niggle would be just that…speculation.

-       Benjamin Mendy – Suspended by the club until further notice.

-       Kyle Walker - Suspended for this game (and the next two Champions League fixtures).

-       Cole Palmer – Still out injured with a foot injury following our F.A. Cup clash with Swindon Town. Still no news of a possible return date.

-       Jack Grealish – Has a shin injury; a problem that both kept him out of our league win against Norwich City last Saturday and, if it’s a similar problem to one that he’s had in the past; an issue that kept him out of his previous club’s side, Aston Villa, for a couple of months or so last season…

-       Gabriel Jesus – Still not available having picked up an issue following action with his national side quite recently. Similar to Cole Palmer, there’s no update on a possible return date.

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

I’d be lying if I said that I don’t have some concern about our makeshift right-back, John, which is no disrespect to him whatsoever but other than that; it’s a very good-looking 11. A good mix on the bench too in case we need to ‘change things up’.

Result? From what I understand, our hosts are a strong side who defend very well but who-also like to both press the opposition and win possession back quickly. Apart from the fact that, apparently, their preferred formation is 5-2-3; does that remind you of anyone?

Having an almost identical league record to current league leaders, Porto; just 2 defeats from 22 games played sees last season’s champions just 6 points off their title challengers and they have the meanest defence, with just 15 goals conceded whilst scoring 43 in that time.

Of course, we’re in extremely good form ourselves and we’re sure to see our manager put out his strongest, available side…or at least you’d think so.

They did, however, barely make it through to the knock-out stages and for whatever reason, their group stage results in this competition are far from their domestic league standing; winning 3 but losing 3 also. Only goal difference, or perhaps their results against 3^rd-place Borussia Dortmund, saw them progress (I can’t recall how those situations work and I just can’t be bothered to look it up now that it's past and ahead of this game, sorry).

I am so very close to putting this down as a draw and I think it will be a very close affair. Up to yesterday, that was, in fact, going to be my predicted result. Now on the day of the match and having looked at their group stage table as it finished; I’m changing my mind.

It might well be a narrow one but I’m going for a City win. 🤞

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

Prediction: N/A

Result: N/A

Expected weather conditions during the game: No situation that will affect the game and the fans should feel relatively comfortable too. After a lovely, sunny day in the region, the game sees 11C, dry and just a light, north-westerly breeze. I’m personally quite envious of those conditions back in the north west of England at the moment and with two ‘named storms’ on the way, I don’t know about you…