Sounds easy when you look at the words and, after all, it’s only West Ham United…at home.
However, if last Tuesday was to be used as a lesson for anyone then it hopefully taught them that most professional footballers DO act professionally and that pride, on the day, can feel just as important as a cup winner’s medal.
And remember the battle we had against Aston Villa in this otherwise-exact same fixture a few season ago? 0-1 down at half time then, even scarier, 0-2 down with just 14 minutes of ‘the 90’ to go? That should act as a warning to be heeded also…
v West ham United
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| Etihad Stadium |
Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:
(Number correct from the starting line-up in the last game: 11/11).
A very fluid 4-1-4-1 / 4-5-1 / 4-2-3-1 (occasional 3-6-1):
____________________Haaland____________________
____________________ Alvarez____________________
______Foden__________________________Silva______
____________________Kovacic____________________
_____________________Rodri_____________________
Gvardiol__________________________________Walker
_____________Ake______________Akanji___________
_____________________Ortega____________________
Subs: Carson, Lewis, Dias, Stones, Nunes, Bobb, Doku, Grealish & De Bruyne.
Stefan starts in goal.
Just one change I can see in the back-4 from our midweek game, which is Nathan in for Ruben. Josko, Manuel & Kyle keep their places to join the returning Dutch international.
Rodders starts once again and, once again, I’m going for him to have a close but slightly more advanced partner in the shape of Mateo.
Kevin to start following the studs down the back of his Achillies tendon / heel area 5-days earlier? There’s a chance but, when asked, our Manager said he couldn’t give an update ahead of at least one more training session / assessment. I’m going to heed on the side of caution to suggest that he’ll be benched and that we’ll see, instead, Julian step up in a similar, perhaps slightly more advanced position. Either side of the Argentine is Phil & Bernardo. I could be wrong, of course, and if De Bruyne is missing from the starting 11, there’s a decent argument for Jack Grealish to come in on the left of those 3 with Phil then in his much-preferred middle slot.
Erling heads the lot.
Scott comes in as first back-up stopper; Rico, Ruben & John are 3 defenders on the side in case needed. Matheus, Oscar, Jeremy, Jack & Kevin are the extraordinarily large number of talented midfielders / wingers in ‘the 9’ waiting their turn.
Notable absences:
- Ederson – Out for this game and won’t be providing keeper cover on the bench for next Saturday’s F.A. Cup final either, all due to a fractured eye socket he received in a clash during last Tuesday night’s game.
- Sergio Gomez – Not selected.
Do I agree with Pep’s (predicted) line-up?
Result? If anyone STILL has a doubt about what might motivate our visitors this afternoon, then could I suggest a few factors?
1. A farewell present performance for their departing manager.
2. Players, including England man Jarrod Bowen, who might like to give a last ‘look at me’ performance to their respective international managers.
3. Lucas Paqueta, who might fancy putting in a little display for a manager in the home dugout; one who is apparently interested in the Brazilian midfielder’s services.
Added to James Ward-Prowse, they certainly have very dangerous, attacking-creative players in their ranks.
The Hammer’s last-6 form mirrors that of many-a-side we’ve faced in recent weeks – 2 wins, 3 defeats and a draw paints a picture of a side struggling to find consistency but one, which, is capable of scrapping it out and coming away with all-3 points on their day.
However, scrap like hell they will have to against a side not only in an amazing run of 34 matches unbeaten but one that’s showing incredible effort, determination and will to win at all costs.
I thought we looked a little nervous at times last Tuesday but I reckon any such minor jitters will have left our system completely now and backed by a sure-to-be up for it home crowd, this is a City win for me…and a record-breaking FOUR Premier League titles in a row!
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: Sky blue skies and unbroken sunshine! 72F (22C in new money) is most definitely going to feel much hotter than that inside the stadium. On the pitch, in fact, I reckon we’ll be looking at closer to 26C / not too far off 80 Fahrenheit. I don’t know what the official temperature has to be for a players ‘drinks break’ to be triggered but I’m guessing we could see it today. Suncream, perhaps shorts and shades all on too and enjoy, Blues fans! ☀😎🍺⚽
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| Solidarity |
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