Not a ‘dead rubber’ game but one where…

…there’s scope, at least, for Pep to-perhaps introduce certain players; rest others ahead of a more-important league fixture and a chance also for some under-performing players to have another crack at-showing their manager that they’re worth selecting in the near future.

v Borussia Dortmund

Signal Iduna Park

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

(Number correct from the starting line-up in the last game: 10/11).

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

____________________Haaland___________________

 

 

Foden___________________________________Mahrez

__________Grealish_____________________________

______________________________Gundogan_______

 

_____________________Rodri____________________

Ake____________________________________Cancelo

____________Dias______________Akanji___________

 

 

____________________Ederson____________________

Subs: Ortega, Carson, Lewis, Wilson-Esbrand, Laporte, Stones, Silva, De Bruyne, Palmer, Alvarez.

-       The two who could get the chance to prove themselves in my predicted 11 are Jack & Riyad; with the former having had two poor-to-average displays after a decent run of good form…while the latter’s season is yet to get going!

-       Those who might get a rest ahead of our early kick off on Saturday are Bernardo & Kevin while, unfortunately for them if they're feeling a little fatigued, regulars Manuel, Joao & Rodri might have to ‘go again’ just 75-hours or so after finishing their last match. The two left-footed defenders, Nathan & Aymeric, swap over once more; with Aymeric being ‘medically managed’, we are told, after recently return from a long-injury lay-off.

SO…Ederson in net. I was gonna suggest that Stefan might take over the gloves in Germany and I think some City fans would like that; as the Brazilian stopper often seems under scrutiny from a lot of his own fans and especially having let in a near-post shot against Brighton at the weekend, which appeared to stir up those same supporters. But no - I’m going for his manager to stick with him…

An ever-changing backline is likely to look like Nathan, Ruben, Manuel & Joao.

Rodders to sit the deepest of our midfielders, while I’m sticking my neck out a little here by suggesting that Phil, Jack, Ilkay & Riyad will make up the more advanced, attacking / creative midfielders / wingers ahead of the Spaniard. I’ve just got a sneaky feeling that Pep might give Jack a more central role to see if he can fare any better…if he starts at all, of course.

Erling to make up the trio of players in the ‘starting 11’ who’ll be returning to their former home ground.

Two stoppers on the bench in the form of Stefan & Scott, while Rico, Josh, Aymeric & John provide defensive cover on the side. Bernardo, Kevin & Cole are the midfielders / wingers in ‘the 10’ (from an-allowed 12); Julian is the back-up striker.

Notable absences:

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

-       Kyle Walker – Still out for an unspecified period of time following surgery on his groin.

-       Sergio Gomez – Suspended for this fixture.

-       Kalvin Phillips – Out for us until after the World Cup while he recovers from a shoulder injury / surgery.

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

With our group-stage table as it stands and with a strong nod towards the fact that we have a home game still to come against very-much-struggling Sevilla; I’d be okay seeing that starting 11 with a more important game on Saturday...and if it gives two £160M’s worth of players a chance to showcase why they wear the Manchester City badge, then why not?

Result? Similar to Crystal Palace in our own league, Dortmund’s form is all over the place! It’s tight at the top of the Bundesliga, with just 6 points separating the top-7 sides, but our hosts find themselves 5^th after 11 matches played.

It’s never going to be easy away at a side in the Champions League with so many good players in it though and although I can’t see our manager playing (or EVER playing) for a draw; only crazy results in the last of the Group G stage games will stop a draw tonight from being enough to see us finish top.

That’s what I’m going for – it’s a draw from me.

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

Prediction: N/A

Result: N/A

Expected weather conditions during the game: 10 or 11C with broken cloud occasionally revealing a dark, starry sky will feel chilly enough for me to suggest that fans should wear a decent coat. Other than that though, it’s gonna be dry and there’s nothing much in the way of a breeze to speak of. Nice & cool for the players to exert themselves.

Solidarity