Chelsea…again.

It’s strange how cup draws and league fixtures can often throw sides together on a number of occasions over a short period of time – I recall one season not too long ago where it felt like we were playing Spurs every other week!

Having knocked The Pensioners out of the League Cup and, more recently, taken all-3 points from them in the league; can we make it 3 from 3? One thing is for sure; I think we’ll see a fair number of personnel changes on our side…and quite possibly on theirs too.

v Chelsea

Etihad Stadium

With no pre-match press conference for this fixture, which was tagged onto the end of Pep’s post-match press conference following the Chelsea game last Thursday; there’s no up-to-date information about the fitness / availability of our players. SO…here goes!

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

(Number correct from the starting line-up in the last game: 9/11).

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

____________________Alvarez____________________

 

 

Grealish_________________________________Mahrez

 

___________Silva_______________Palmer__________

 

____________________Phillips____________________

Gomez____________________________________Lewis

__________­___Ake_____________Akanji____________

 

 

_____________________Ortega____________________

Subs: Ederson, Carson, Cancelo, Walker, Stones, Rodri, Foden, De Bruyne & Haaland.

Will Stefan be handed both domestic cups in terms of him-being in the starting 11? I would say that’s likely and, therefore, he starts in net this afternoon.

As I say, I think change / rotation is almost inevitable for a game that kicks off only around about 66-½ hours after the last one finished and, therefore, I’m going for just one defender in the starting 11 who started last Thursday night; that being left-footed Nathan to partner right-footed Manuel in the middle, which may mean that John Stones can be rested / protected. Either side of those I’ve gone for Sergio & Rico, although we could see Joao Cancelo get another crack at reclaiming a starting place and then-perhaps Sergio being handed the midweek game in the League Cup away to Southampton.

Kalvin to start as our defensive midfielder? I’d say that’s almost a certainty and ahead of him in attack, I’ve gone for Jack, Bernardo, Cole & in-form Riyad.

Julian to return to domestic action up front following his World Cup success.

I think we might see two reserve keepers on the bench in the form of Scott & Ederson, unless Pep decides to select a youth outfield player to join the match-day squad; Joao, Kyle & John are the defenders on the side. Rodders, Phil, Kevin & Erling make up the midfielders / wingers / forwards in this incredibly strong-looking 9.

Notable absences:

-       Aymeric Laporte – The 28-year-old has been missing of late as he tries to get over more injury niggles and, so, I’ve simply assumed that he’ll be missing once again for this fixture.

-       Ruben Dias – Still out for an unspecified period of time with a hamstring injury sustained in his last match for Portugal.

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

Yep…and there are attacking options in that predicted starting line-up too; with the possibility of seeing Cole out wide right and Riyad switching over to the left, which would allow Jack to partner Bernardo in the centre of attacking midfield.

Result? I’ve no idea what side our visitors will put out – they could be tempted to throw most of their efforts, including the Champions League, at-climbing the table and may see a domestic cup competition as-being a hinderance, this season at least. On the flip side, they might be looking at their position in the table and league form in general and view the F.A. Cup as European-place insurance. Having said all of that, Chelsea do now have injuries in the midfield / wing department in addition to key defenders being out, so their hand is pretty much forced in many ways.

All of that considered as well as looking at the side I think our manager will put out and I believe we’ll see another City victory. It may well be tight but I can see us eventually winning by a couple of goals.

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

Prediction: N/A

Result: N/A

Expected weather conditions during the game: Sunshine & showers are forecasted to move away just in time for the 4:30pm (GMT) kick-off; leaving just overcast and blustery conditions to contend with. 5C is back down to ‘seasonal norm’ temperatures and with a fairly brisk breeze of around 10MPH, it could well feel a little chillier than that. I think we might see some players sporting gloves for this match…

Solidarity