The second of three games in seven days in three different competitions before the international break the weekend after next.
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| Etihad Stadium |
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 (possibly 3-6-1 at times):
____________________Haaland____________________
Grealish_________________________________Mahrez
___________Silva_______________De Bruyne_______
_____________________Rodri_____________________
Ake______________________________________Walker
____________Dias_______________Akanji___________
____________________Ederson____________________
Subs: Carson, Ortega, Gomez, Lewis, Laporte, Stones, Phillips, Perrone, Gundogan, Palmer, Foden & Alvarez.
Ederson keeps the gloves for this one.
As usual, there are so many possibilities in the back-line but with us facing a side who, as I understand it, like to ‘sit and absorb’ to a degree and then counter attack; I don’t think we’ll see too much emphasis on attacking wing backs for this encounter but I could be wrong, of course. Therefore, with just a slight adjustment to our last outing; I think we’ll see the pace of Kyle joining Nathan, Ruben & Manuel.
In-form Rodders to protect all of those and ahead of the 26-year-old, I’m going for solid-form Jack, Bernardo, Kevin and, largely rested recently, Riyad to make a return on the right.
Erling to start once more up front.
Scott & Stefan are two keepers providing cover for Ederson should it be needed, while Sergio, Rico, Aymeric & John are the defenders on the side. Kalvin, Maximo, Ilkay, Cole & Phil are the midfielders / wingers in ‘the 12’ and Julian as the back-up striker.
Notable absences:
- Benjamin Mendy – Suspended by the club until further notice.
Do I agree with Pep’s (predicted) line-up?
Result? The German side are doing quite well in the Bundesliga and find themselves joint 3rd on points with two other sides, with their last 5 league results looking like this: L W W L W. I don’t know too much more about them other than what I’ve already alluded to and I got that from listening to a European football expert on the radio yesterday, which is that they’re often lost for ideas when trying to keep possession and, instead, like to break fast whenever the opposition loses the ball; so you can imagine what sort of game we’re in for.
Oh yeah…ex-Chelsea forward, Timo Werner, is back for his second spell with the club having re-joined them in August of last year.
It could be a frustrating night for us where I’m sure we’ll have lots of possession but where it might also be a tough task to break ‘em down. It could also be a nervy one for us if they manage to put the finishing touch on a break-away or two.
Champions League games are so much harder to read, I have found.
Without playing exceptional, we are managing to do the simple things well in recent matches and we do find ourselves 8 games unbeaten in all competitions. I don’t know about you but in a season of inconsistencies and puzzling player form, I’ll take a lack of entertaining style over getting the basics right and progressing in cup competitions, as well as gaining maximum points league games.
I think we’ll see more sensible play from us again tonight – something akin to German efficiency, ironically – and if that’s the case, I can see a reasonably comfortable win in the end within ‘the 90’. It’s a home win and progression into the quarter finals for me.
Last season’s, corresponding pre-match prediction and result:
Prediction: N/A
Result: N/A
Expected weather conditions during the game: A cold, wet ‘n’ windy day, which saw all sorts thrown at us in the region, gives way to calmer & dryer conditions, at least and as the game nears kicks off, but it’s replaced by freezing temperatures of 0C dipping down to -1C or lower. Nice…
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| Solidarity |
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