It’s our defence that’s now decimated ahead of a stormy fixture.
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| Selhurst Park |
There might be personnel issues at the back but in terms of predicting a starting 11, there’s another challenge on this occasion working out the midfield and it’s for three reasons:
1. Bernardo Silva is hovering over a 1-game ban, as he sits on 4 (of 5) yellow cards ahead of the Manchester v Trafford derby a week tomorrow. A 5th one against The Eagles will see him gain a 1-match ban and a seat in the stands against Manyoo.
2. Can Kevin De Bruyne play two matches in less than 72 hours?
3. A rare, central midfield role for Jack Grealish was successfully implemented last Wednesday night, so...🤷♂️
Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:
(Number correct from the starting line-up in the last game: 8/11).
A very fluid 4-1-4-1 / 4-5-1 / 4-2-3-1:
____________________Haaland____________________
Grealish___________________________________Doku
______________________________De Bruyne________
____________Silva_______________________________
___________________Gundogan___________________
Gvardiol___________________________________Lewis
____________Dias______________Walker___________
____________________Ortega_____________________
Subs: Carson, Ederson, Wilson-Esbrand, Akanji, Simpson-Pusey, McAtee, O’Reilly, Nunes and Savinho.
Ederson or Stefan? Well, the latter has had the gloves for the last two games and he has not only done nothing wrong but he has been good in my opinion. He also has a rare [this season] Manchester City clean sheet to his name. I’m going for his manager to reward him for those reasons with a third outing on the trot.
I can see an injury hit defence looking like Josko on the left, Rico on the right with Ruben and Kyle in the middle.
If all are okay to go again less than 3 days after finishing our last fixture, then with a combined age of 97, we should see a midfield 3 of Ilkay, Bernardo and Kevin. Jack and Jeremy either side of them is my guess.
Erling up top hoping to benefit from all that potential creativity.
Scott and Ederson are two back-up keepers on the bench; Josh, Manuel, who is being given a late fitness test and might be fit enough to be part of the matchday squad, and Jahmai make up three defenders on the side. Also in ‘the 9’ are midfielders James, Nico and Matheus alongside winger, Savinho.
Notable absences:
- Nathan Ake – Injured with what I think is another thigh / muscular issue. Unknown return date.
- John Stones – Continues to be absent with an ongoing foot injury. Unknown return date.
- Mateo Kovacic – Out for around 2 weeks with an undisclosed injury that he picked up on international duty.
- Rodri – Out with an Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury and will be missing for the remainder of the season following surgery.
- Phil Foden – Out with bronchitis. Unknown return date.
- Oscar Bobb – Out injured with a fractured leg that he received in training last August. A likely return is deemed to be January / February.
Do I agree with Pep’s (predicted) line-up?
It’s nice to have some decent options in one of our departments, once more at least.
Result?
Precariously balanced just above the ‘drop zone’, I decided to look through Palace’s league results since the start of the season. Their 6 draws aside, of the 2 wins and 6 losses, what was notable was how close those results were; made up of lots of very close 1-0s and 2-1s. Once again, just like our last opponents on Wednesday night, it suggests a tight, organised and hardworking side. I say ‘tight and organised’, they have only kept three clean sheets in the league, so it does also possibly indicate some defensive issues.
However, and despite sitting 17th and just 3-points above relegation, they are undefeated in the last three league outings with two draws and, last time out, a win. Any issues they were having, it would appear as though they’re working through ‘em.
As for us, the corner is being turned but the latest bout of injuries is making it a somewhat bumpy turn.
As well as the defence being shattered by both confirmed injuries and doubts to regular international players, we’re also without midfielder, Phil Foden; a player who is having a rough time of it, health wise, so far this season. Just as he was attempting to find some form, he’s now been hit with Bronchitis. This follows 3-½ weeks out with another, undisclosed illness followed by a fortnight out with what was described as, “fitness issues”. However, generally speaking we’re getting players back in others areas and they are starting to look a little sharper.
All of that aside, this one could come down to who can handle the atrocious weather conditions the best…or it could be a case of bad luck – a slip here and a gust of wind there could put either side in trouble.
I have to be honest and say that I was really, really close to predicting a draw; a result I had this down as soon after the summer transfer window had closed. I’ve changed my mind…just. I’m going for a City win.
Last season’s, corresponding pre-match prediction and result:
Prediction: Win
Result: Won
(Pre-match blog posting from that game).
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| Solidarity |
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