We can’t take our foot off the pedal but…

…would it be prudent, perhaps, for our manager to rest a few hard-pushed legs / rotate a little ahead of two home fixtures in the following six days after our trip to West London on Sunday afternoon?

v Fulham

Craven Cottage

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:

____________________Haaland____________________

 

 

Grealish__________________________________Mahrez

 

_________Gundogan____________Foden____________

 

_____________________Rodri______________________

Laporte___________________________________Walker

____________Dias_______________Akanji___________

 

 

____________________Ederson____________________

Subs: Ortega, Gomez, Lewis, Stones, Phillips, De Bruyne, Palmer, Silva & Alvarez.

Ederson, with his manager’s screams perhaps still ringing in his ears from last Wednesday night, continues in net.

I can see a back-4 of Aymeric, Ruben, Manuel and Kyle; the latter in his more-familiar position on the right of defence.

Rodri to ‘go again’ just in front of those, while I can see a more-advanced, attacking quartet of Jack, Ilkay, Phil and Riyad.

Erling to be the recipient of all that creativity behind him.

Stefan continues to provide keeper insurance; Sergio, Rico & John are the defenders waiting on the side. Kalvin, Kevin, Cole & Bernardo are the midfielders / wingers in ‘the 9’, while Julian will be hoping to get some minutes as back-up to Haaland.

Notable absences:

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

-       Nathan Ake – Still out with a hamstring issue but while the Dutch international is yet to resume training with his teammates; his manager informed us on Friday afternoon that Nathan is getting much better. No guess as to a return date just yet though.

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

Yeah, I’d be happy with that – there’s enough players in there from our recent, fantastic run; sprinkled with just a small number of recent fringe players / players who have been missing for one reason or another; all of which allows others to take a little break.

If I’m correct, I would hope that some of those other starting-11 players, particularly our defenders (including Rodders), could be given some early’ish respite too if the scoreline suits.

Result? They’re a strange side, are Fulham - they started the season so well and maintained good performances & results for a long time to surprise a lot of people, myself included.

They’ve definitely slumped a little in recent weeks and I think some of that might have been down to the heavy suspension acquired by their big front man, Aleksandar Mitrovic. Perhaps so, anyway, and the Serbian striker remains suspended not only for this game but until 13^th May. Even their last 5 league games sums them up as an unpredictable enigma: L L W W L.

On ‘their patch’, we most certainly can’t just turn up and expect our amazing form to carry us through to another 3, vital points – hard work and a strong mentality, once again, is the key. But amazing form we are-indeed in and if the lads apply themselves as the manager and fans would hope and expect; this is an away win for me. City to win.

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

Prediction: N/A

Result: N/A

Expected weather conditions during the game: Very nice indeed. Those away-travelling fans – and Fulham fans too, of course – who decide to arrive early / make a full day of it will be treated to a lot of unbroken sunshine leading up to the game and although some light cloud might start to drift in an hour or so ahead of the 2:00pm (BST) kick-off time; it remains dry and with a decent temperature of 17C / 63F too. Hardly the unseasonal temperatures Spain are currently experiencing but…enjoy!

Solidarity

 

It’s a big one for sure…

…but is it a ‘title decider’?

Trying to keep the answer to that question simple…

…I’d say that there are many difficult games for both sides after today’s top-two clash. However, should we win and keep most of our key players free from injury, then I’d have to say with the form we’re in and with the momentum we have, that we’ll end the season victorious, league-wise. Should we draw this one? I’d say likewise…although, of course, it will be a little tighter to say the least.

Should we lose, then of course tonight’s visitors have it in their own hands to win the league and after a bit of a recent blip; I can’t see them-then tripping up a further time, going off their season so far, and that’s despite, as I say, having some tricky fixtures just as we have.

In a nutshell, therefore, I think this is a ‘must not lose’ game for us tonight.

v Arsenal

Etihad Stadium

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

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

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

____________________Haaland____________________

 

 

Grealish__________________________________Mahrez

 

____________Silva______________De Bruyne________

 

_____________________Rodri______________________

Laporte___________________________________Stones

____________Dias_______________Akanji___________

 

 

____________________Ederson____________________

Subs: Ortega, Gomez, Lewis, Walker, Phillips, Gundogan, Palmer, Foden & Alvarez.

Ederson is back between the posts.

I think we’ll see a return of 4 central defenders, with both Ruben & Manuel in their natural positions, while Aymeric & John adopt the left & right berths.

Rodders to patrol that area just ahead of defence.

Will Riyad be rewarded for a hat-trick and a man of the match performance against a Championship side last weekend? I can see that happening – the Algerian’s good form comes in ‘fits and starts’ and if last Saturday was to be the start of another confidence-filled period then our manager will want him in the ranks of the starting 11. If I’m right, I can see him in an attacking midfield / wing quartet with Jack, Bernardo & Kevin.

Erling to start ‘up top’.

Stefan retreats to the bench for this one; Sergio, Rico & Kyle are the defenders on the side – all recognised wing-backs, it’s worth noting. Kalvin, Ilkay, Cole & Phil are the midfielders / wingers on the bench, while Julian is the reserve striker in ‘the 9’.

Notable absences:

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

-       Nathan Ake – Injured. As for a return date, all Pep would say during his pre-match press conference on Tuesday 25^th April is that hopefully he can come back soon.

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

With my fingers crossed that Riyad’s excellent performance last weekend wasn’t just a false (re)start then yes; I’m absolutely fine with that 11. Otherwise, I’d have Ilkay in for him and put Bernardo on the right.

Result? We all know the strengths of both sides – both are dangerous and are having a fantastic season.

I think, for us, it took a little time to regain some proper traction after a good start to our campaign; occasionally stuttering & stalling, as we did, in the first half of the season while our visitors appeared to keep ‘motoring on’; with-just occasional trip-ups that they soon got over before regaining momentum. They’re currently on one of those little glitches right now with 3 draws from their last 3 league games.

So I think it boils down to this – at home, with the form we’re, in comparison to theirs, and-having rested some key players last weekend; this is a City victory. It doesn’t always work out like that, of course, and with this being such a tense & crucial fixture; it might not play-out like that at all. However, that’s what I’m going for – it’s a home win for me.

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

Prediction: Win

Result: Won

(Pre-match blog posting from that game)

Expected weather conditions during the game: Dry, very little in the way of a breeze and with a reasonable temperature of around 9 or 10C to start off with. However, that temperature will start to drop-off fairly rapidly after the match so fans with a lot of walking to do back to their various destinations might want to consider that before deciding which jacket or coat to put on before the game.

Solidarity

 

It’s happened to us before…

 …sort of.

Date: 11^th May 2013

Venue: Wembley Stadium

Competition: F.A. Cup – Final

Opponents: Wigan Athletic

Result: Manchester City 0-1 Wigan Athletic

We have been warned…

I’m sure I don’t have to tell any City fan with a vested interest in today’s late afternoon / early evening match in north-west London (KO 4:45pm BST, by the way) that our opponents play their league football in the division below us – the Championship. Well, for now at least - only a massive implosion will stop them from making this fixture a Premier League encounter next season.

Similarly, it was already-relegated [to the Championship] Wigan Athletic who joined us in HA9 a decade ago and a bizarre, lacklustre performance from a Manchester City side packed with amazing talent – half of which most Manchester City fans now hail, quite rightly, as club legends and all lead by a manager, whom, a lot of City fans refer to in an endearing way, as “Bobby Manc” – were rightly punished by a far-lesser side, talent-wise at least; after we appeared to ‘rock up’ with the attitude that the silverware was already heading back to M11 without the need to put in a proper or fully-professional shift.

I’ll say it again – we have been warned.

v Sheffield United

Wembley Stadium

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

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

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

____________________Haaland____________________

 

 

Grealish__________________________________Mahrez

 

____________Silva______________De Bruyne________

 

_____________________Rodri_____________________

Laporte___________________________________Walker

___________Stones______________Akanji___________

 

 

_____________________Ortega____________________

Subs: Ederson, Gomez, Lewis, Dias, Phillips, Gundogan, Palmer, Foden & Alvarez.

A change in keeper sees Stefan take charge of the gloves for this competition.

A slight tweak in defence partly as a result of injury but also a slight nod-also to Wednesday night’s fixture, I think, sees a starting back-4 of Aymeric, John, Manuel & Kyle.

Rodders to ‘go again’ as our deepest midfielder; Jack, Barnardo, Kevin & Riyad are the attacking midfielders / wingers in the ‘starting 11’.

I think Erling will start, which is what I’m going for, but I expect Alvarez to be given quite a few minutes too IF circumstances allow.

Ederson takes a ‘back seat’; Sergio, Rico & Ruben, who I think will be rested / protected, are the defenders on the side. Kalvin, Ilkay, Cole & Phil are the midfielders in ‘the 9’, while Julian is the back-up striker itching to stretch his legs, I’m sure.

Notable absences:

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

-       Nathan Ake – Injured and no indication, as yet, of how sever his-apparent hamstring issue is.

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

Yes.

Result? Well, I’ve already thrown out all the ‘warning signals’ but I didn’t just do that to ‘fill a page’. Whatever your opinions are of the quality / standard of the Championship; it’s no mean feat to be the league’s 3^rd-top goal-scorers and have the 2^nd-best defensive record from 24 teams over a very long season whilst, at the same time, heading for promotion AND reaching the F.A. Cup semi-final.

And our fans can sing ‘Blue Moon’ all they like but I’m betting the loudest song of the day will be one about a chip butty…

Of course we totally outclass our neighbours from across the Pennines but attitude, drive & desire count for a heck of a lot in games like this…and games in general, of course.

Thankfully, I think this bunch of Manchester City players have that aplenty and our current manager, unlike Roberto Mancini 10-years ago, is in no danger of being imminently sacked; such was the case back in May 2013.

I think we do need to ensure that our opponents don’t score first – or at all if we can help it – because if we do go behind; I can see it being a hell of a task trying-to-then break down many red & white-striped barriers.

It’s worth noting at this stage - and to our advantage - that The Blades have had the heart ripped out of their midfield for this one; with both James McAtee & Tommy Doyle on loan from us being ineligible to play. That’s very sad for the two lads but a bonus for us.

Don’t weaken the side TOO much – even with the Arsenal clash looming – and apply the correct attitude; we should see our players returning to the same stadium on 3^rd June (the 3^rd of flippin’ JUNE!). It’s a City win for me.

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

Prediction: N/A

Result: N/A

Expected weather conditions during the game: Dull but largely dry throughout the day and into the match. There is a bit of a brisk breeze but as it’s coming from a southerly direction, it keeps the early evening temperature at a reasonable 11 or 12C.

Solidarity

 

2ng leg v Bayern Munich

A no-nonsense, professional approach should see us through to the semi-finals…

v Bayern Munich

Allianz Areana

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:

____________________Haaland____________________

 

 

Grealish___________________________________Silva

 

_________Gundogan____________De Bruyne________

 

_____________________Rodri_____________________

Ake______________________________________Stones

____________Dias_______________Akanji___________

 

 

____________________Ederson____________________

Subs: Carson, Ortega, Gomez, Lewis, Laporte, Walker, Phillips, Perrone, Palmer, Foden, Mahrez & Alvarez.

Ederson keeps the gloves

Back to our more-regular back-4, I’d say for this one, which is Nathan, Ruben, Manuel & John.

Rodders, who could get some assistance from both Ilkay & John on occasions, sits the deepest of the midfielders; Jack, Kevin & Bernardo provide most of the attacking midfield / wing threat.

Erling to start ‘up front’ but, depending on how the scoreline looks in the second half, I can well imagine him-being one of at least a couple of substitutes in the ‘second 45’.

A full quota-squad has travelled to Germany and, therefore, we have a full-12 on the bench. Scott & Stefan are the reserve keepers; Sergio, Rico, Aymeric & Kyle are the defenders on the side. Kalvin, Maximo, Cole, a returning [from surgery recovery] Phil & Riyad are the midfielders / wingers in ‘the 11’, while Julian is the back-up striker.

Notable absences:

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

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

Yes.

Result? Despite the terrific 1^st-leg result of 3-0, our hosts remain a big threat for sure. Let’s not forget that despite conceding 3 and scoring none, they came to our place and had 56% overall possession. Not many teams do that to us, especially at home.

They’re sure to test our defences tonight and they might well breach them. The rumour is, also, that Bayern Munich legend, veteran and danger man, Thomas Muller, is likely to start; a player who only came on for the final 13 minutes of our last meeting.

Facing such a powerful side on their patch who simply have to ‘come at us’ is sure to be a daunting task for our players, particularly our rearguard personnel. Backed by a sure-to-be vociferous home crowd; there’s a danger of an early goal for them causing some nerves and that’s the last thing we need in this competition.

However, if we can ride any early storm which may come our way, having the home side pushing and pushing us could very easily play into our hands and if they give the likes of Kevin, Bernardo and / or Erling an inch; there’s a good chance they’ll punish the German side.

I think it’ll be an entertaining match; perhaps a little nervy for us at times but I believe it’s one that we’ll come out of alive and progress to the semi-finals. I'm calling it as a draw.

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

Prediction: N/A

Result: N/A

Expected weather conditions during the game: It’s gonna feel just like home for the visiting team & supporters – wet, chilly and all with a little bit of a breeze. 5 or 6C is likely to feel more like 2 or 3C in the damp conditions and accompanying easterly air flow. At least the players can keep warm as they exert themselves for 90+ minutes. The pitch, by the way, will have had a good ol’ soaking throughout the day, so I expect to see fast-passing play at times.

Solidarity