Due to the early KO tomorrow there’s not much time between Pep’s pre-match press conference and the start of the match.
Straight to it then…
v Manyoo
 |
| Yuck! |
Predicted line-up, subs and outcome.
Fluid
4-5-1 come 4-3-3 come 4-2-4:
___________________Iheanacho___________________
___________________De Bruyne___________________
____________Silva_______________________________
___________________________Fernandinho_________
______________________Bravo____________________
Despite the availability of some new
signings, I honestly can’t see too much change here from our manager…
Claudio is, however, likely to make his
debut in between the sticks tomorrow early afternoon.
I think our manager will go for Aleks over
Gael on the left for this one, purely ‘cause of the extra height advantage & requirement tomorrow (as
well as decent form of course) and on the opposite flank of the defence, a
recovered Bacary is likely to replace Pablo. In the continued absence of Vinny,
Nicholas & John to continue in the centre of defence.
No change, I recon, in the ‘midfield / wing
5’ with Fernandinho, David, Nolito, Kevin & Raheem; Fernandinho might be
given a slightly deeper, more-protective role for this one.
In the absence of Sergio, a simple 'like for
like' swap for Kelechi.
Willy to take his place where he might find
himself most weeks, which is on the bench as keeper insurance; Gael, Zaba & Tosin
the defence replacement options. The industrious Fabian in there if needed and
then, here we go, a couple of new signings in the form of creative, central
midfielder Ilkay and the pacey, attacking winger / forward Leroy.
Notable absences: Vincent Kompany
(on way back from injury / in training / continuing with tests), Fernando (not selected), Yaya Toure (not selected), Jesus Navas (not selected) and Sergio Aguero (suspended for 3 matches). Following the players who have been loaned out recently, that’s a
considerably shorter ‘red list’ than of late…
Do I agree with Pep’s (predicted) line-up?
Well yeah…I’d go with
that - a formula that has seen 5 wins from 5; scoring 15 and conceding only 4.
Why not?!
But I might also be
tempted to ‘go a bit different’ for this one and although it’s not ideal to
make your full debut in the heat of a local derby; here it is…
4-6-0:
______________________________________________
__________De Bruyne____________Sane___________
Nolito_________________Silva______________Sterling
___________________Fernandinho_________________
Kolarov_______Otamendi_______Stones_______Sagna
_______________________Bravo____________________
Subs: Caballero,
Clichy, Zabaleta, Adarabioyo, Delph, Gundogan, Iheanacho.
Get hold of the ball
if you can, Manyoo; give their defenders no-one to mark and, basically, blitz ‘em with creative &
attacking midfielders / wingers from all angles.
Result?
Leaning confidently towards an away win; I’m going to, instead, go with my gut instinct that I’ve had for over a week now
and state 'a draw'.
Expected weather conditions during
the game: After heavy, stormy rains overnight that will, no doubt, dampen ‘the swamp’ even further; for the game itself it’s forecasted to be a fairly pleasant day indeed just South West of Manchester, with temperatures around 63F and sunny spells or even prolonged periods of sunshine toward the end of the match (with sky-blue-skies I might add).
