v Brentford

Having caught “normal” [as opposed to Covid], seasonal lurgy yesterday; still feeling particularly rough today, I wasn’t going to post a pre-match blog posting; a game that I may well not get to see for the very same reason.

However, having prepped most of it beforehand, I’m just gonna finish it off and keep it as brief as possible.

v Brentford

Etihad Stadium

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

(Number correct from the starting line-up in the last game: 7/11).

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

_______________________________________________

 

Foden______________De Bruyne____________Mahrez

 

_________Gundogan______________Silva__________

 

______________________Rodri____________________

Cancelo__________________________________Walker

 

___________Laporte______________Dias___________

 

 

_____________________Ederson__________________

Subs: Steffen, Zinchenko, Ake, Stones, Fernandinho, Grealish, McAtee, Sterling, Delap.

Ed back in net.

A back 4 of Joao, Aymeric, Ruben & Kyle would, for me, be our strongest back line and with all available and half of those having been rested / protect last Saturday; I can see that being how our defence will look tonight.

Rodders to step back in for Fernandinho in the defensive midfield position and ahead of the Spaniard is our usual, fluid, interchangeable 5 which, tonight, I can see consisting of Phil, Ilkay, Kevin, Bernardo & Riyad.

Zack steps aside to be our back-up stopper once more; Oleksandr, Nathan & John are the reserve defenders on the side. Fernandinho, Jack, James, Raheem & Liam are the midfield / wing / striking options in ‘the 9’.

Notable absences:

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

-       Cole Palmer – Still out injured and there’s still no news on a possible return date.

-       Gabriel Jesus – Still suffering with a niggly injury - apparently, he’s close to a return; the issue isn't considered to be too serious but this fixture comes just too soon for the Brazilian forward.

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

When describing our anticipated defence for the evening, I’ve already used the word, “strongest”. Well, if our manager goes with that starting 11 then I think he’ll, arguably, be selecting our strongest possible side and, so, I absolutely agree with it.

Result? Match, or better, our visitor’s, usual high work rate and be clinical as well as creative, then we should extend The Bees’ recent run of 4-straight, league defeats (5 in total when you include their 4-1 F.A. Cup defeat last weekend). It’s a home win from me. No complacency though chaps...

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

Prediction: N/A

Result: N/A

Expected weather conditions during the game: Nothing much doin’ at all really – dry but overcast; a slightly chilly 5C and just a light, westerly breeze.

Enjoy the game - it's back to bed for me for now...