Can the sky blue machine…

…that is MCFC claw in yet another piece of silverware for itself this afternoon?

Perhaps but there’ll be a small number of our players who will have to miss out and sit on the side without a training bib ready to hand as the ‘fit and available’ list is looking very healthy indeed at the moment.

v Chelsea

Wembley Stadium

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

Number correct from the starting line-up in the last game: With so many changes in midweek, I’m pleased to be able to still say, 7/11.

A very fluid 4-1-4-1 / 4-5-1 / 4-3-3 (occasional 3-6-1):

___________________Haaland(VC)__________________

 

 

__Doku______________________________Semenyo__

 

___________Silva(C)_____________Cherki___________

 

___________________Gonzalez____________________

O’Reilly___________________________________Nunes

___________Guehi______________Khusanov________

 

 

____________________Trafford____________________

Subs: Donnarumma, Ait-Nouri, Ake, Gvardiol, Stones, Kovacic, Foden, Savinho and Marmoush.

James takes over in goal for this cup competition final.

Nico-O- returns on the left of defence after a night off last Wednesday night and is joined by Marc, Abdukodir and Matheus.

I think we’ll see Nico-G- start in the deep midfield position with Jeremy, Bernardo, Rayan-C- and Antoine ahead of the 24-year-old.

Erling returns to lead the line.

Gigi watches on as back-up stopper; reserve defenders come in the shape of Rayan-A-, Nathan, Josko and John. Mateo and Phil give us two midfield change options while Savinho and Omar continue to provide wide / forward alternatives from the bench.

Notable absences:

-       Marcus Bettinelli – Not selected.

-       Rico Lewis – Not selected.

-       Max Alleyne – Not selected.

-       Ruben Dias – Not selected.

-       Rodri – Still being assessed, apparently, and I’m going to suggest that he will have no involvement this afternoon. I reckon he’s being primed for our last two league fixtures but I could be wrong. 🤔

-       Tijjani Reijnders – Not selected.

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

Yes.

Result?

This is a cup game and a final no less – AKA…anything can happen.

However, it would be remis not to look at league form and while ours is excellent (W W W D W W), our opponents form is shockingly bad (L L L L L D).

With a European place-finish of any description for the London side all but over, this is an opportunity to win something for both themselves and their often-disgruntled fans…and that could signal a danger warning for us. ⚠️

Of course this could be a tough, closely contested match and could even get a little feisty, dare I suggest. However, in the end I look at that team and bench of ours; consider the form that we’re in and put this down as a City win.

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

Prediction: N/A

Result: N/A

Expected weather conditions during the game: Sunshine and showers all day. Temperature isn’t too bad at 13C with a light south westerly breeze. 🌦️🧥🌭🍔🍟🥤(more💷)🍺⚽

Winners again!

Another congratulations is in order – this time for our Academy team who beat Manyoo 2-1 in the F.A. Youth Cup final on Thursday night.

A massive well done to them and that’s the third ‘congrats’ dished out in recent days, following the same Academy side who won their league title and our Women’s team winning the WSL title too.

Further praise also needs to go to our Women’s team who came from 2-0 down to score 3 goals on the 86^th, 91^st and 103^rd minutes (WOW!) at Chelsea to reach the Women’s F.A. Cup final. They’ll now face Brighton and Hove Albion at THAT place again (Olé-Olé) on Sunday 31^st May.

Solidarity