So…a game of football

Somebody told me the other day that there was some off-the-field news regarding Manchester City in connection to the Premier League. Aston Villa at home it is, then…

v Aston Villa

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 (possibly 3-6-1 at times):

____________________Haaland____________________

 

 

Grealish___________________________________Silva

 

_________Gundogan___________De Bruyne_________

 

_____________________Rodri_____________________

Ake_______________________________________Lewis

___________Laporte_____________Akanji___________

 

 

____________________Ederson____________________

Subs: Ortega, Gomez, Walker, Dias, Phillips, Foden, Palmer, Mahrez & Alvarez.

The pre-embargoed section of the pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon lasted over 20 minutes and there wasn’t one question from any of the journalists asking about player fitness / availability; such was the interest in a certain off-the-field matter. I could have waited until the morning of the match itself to finish and release this in the hope that we might get a player update in the embargoed section tonight but, whatever…

Ederson continues in net.

I’m going for a back-4 of in-form / impressive Nathan, Aymeric, Manuel & Rico.

Despite his last performance on the back of slight dip in form generally, I’m sure Rodders will start as defensive midfielder once again. I’m sure also that he must need a rest and was why we brought Kalvin into the club last summer.

Ahead of the Spanish international I’m going for a back-4 of Jack, Ilkay, Kevin & Bernardo.

Erling will be hoping to get the right passes so that he can ‘do his thing’ up front.

Stefan is the back-up stopper; Sergio, Kyle & Ruben are the three defenders on the side. Kalvin, Phil, who was spotted in training a few days ago, Cole & Riyad are the midfielder / wingers in ‘the 9’, while Julian is the reserve striker.

Notable absences:

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

-       John Stones – Out for around 3 weeks with a hamstring injury.

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

Yep.

Result? Up to last weekend, our visitors were undefeated in 4 league games; registering 3 wins and a draw. That came to an abrupt holt at home to Leicester with a 2-4 defeat but with that being a West vs East Midlands affair, which is sort of derby like; those games have added unpredictability and, therefore, I have to believe that we still face a good, in-form, organised side who also carry some threat. They have a good, very experienced manager at the helm too.

As for us, 3 wins in a row against Premier League opposition where we scored 8, conceded 2 and kept 2 clean sheets was marred, once again, with a defeat in a season where, first 9 games aside, we just can’t seem to gather much momentum before hitting a bump in the road; something Pep-himself admitted on Friday in his pre-match press conference – a lack of real consistency.

However, that defeat last Sunday was at a venue that continues to be a bogey ground for us to say the very least with not only no wins but with no goals scored either so, in a way, I suppose we can ‘write that one off’. I don’t think it was helped though – and not for the first time – by some questionable player selections by Pep…

I think we’re in for another tight affair, I’m sorry to say Blues; one of those, yet again, where patience and persistence might have to be the tools of choice. However, I get the feeling that they’ll be a collective determination from our lads to get the wheels back on track ASAP - and bring everyone’s focus back onto the pitch - and if our manager can put some round pegs in round holes and select the right personnel otherwise; it’s definitely a winnable fixture.

That’s what I’m going for – it’s a home win for me…but perhaps not without a scare or two. 😨

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

Prediction: Win

Result: Won…in the end…3-2…in THAT title-deciding fixture; the last game of last season.

(Pre-match blog posting from that game)

Expected weather conditions during the game: Decent! 8 or 9C with hardly any breeze should feel quite pleasant in the sunshine, of which there should be plenty in-between white, fluffy clouds. Fans might want to bear in mind that the temperature will drop away fast after the game and ‘go armed’ accordingly depending on the length of the journey home…

Solidarity

 

Let’s go again v Spurs

I’ve gotta be honest and say that following my recent blog announcement, I didn’t think I’d be quite well enough to produce & publish one ahead of this fixture and both my energy levels and concentration still aren’t too good. I’m gonna keep it as brief as possible.

I think one thing that gave me a lift to want to put extra effort into sitting in front of the computer and attempt to engage the ol’ brain cells was when I watched Pep’s pre-match press conference yesterday afternoon – I don’t think I’ve ever seen him looking so steely-focused. 👍

v Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

(Number correct from the starting line-up in the last game which, for me blog-wise, was our home league game against Wolves: 8/11).

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

____________________Haaland____________________

 

 

Grealish__________________________________Mahrez

 

____________Silva______________De Bruyne________

 

_____________________Rodri_____________________

Ake______________________________________Walker

___________Laporte_____________Akanji___________

 

 

____________________Ederson____________________

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

Ederson in net.

In an ever-changing back line, for this fixture I’m going with Nathan, Aymeric & Manuel…and I’ve just got a feeling that Kyle might ‘get the nod’ on the right over Rico for this one. I could well be wrong, of course.

Rodders gets the deeper midfield job once again, while I’m going for an attacking 4 ahead of him of Jack, Barnardo, Kevin & Riyad; although if I’m right I expect Bernardo to have a dual, sweeping / attacking role.

Erling to ‘top the lot’.

Stefan provides the keeper insurance; Sergio is likely to come back into the match-day squad following the loan departure of Joao Cancelo and joining the Spaniard as defensive replacement options is Rico & Ruben. Kalvin, Ilkay, Phil & Cole are the midfielders / wingers on the side, while Julian is the back-up striker.

Notable absences:

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

-       John Stones – Out for around a month with a hamstring injury.

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

I saw a little drop-off in Riyad Mahrez’s performance in our last outing / victory and, so, I might I’d be tempted to stick Bernardo or Julian - who both added so much when they came on last Friday night - over on the right and if I chose the Portuguese midfielder / winger over the Argentine forward to operate on that wing; I’d include Ilkay in the middle with Kevin & Rodri.

Other than that, that looks good to me.

Result? There’s been a bit of chatter and some write-ups in the last couple of days, emphasising the fact that in recent seasons we’ve not-only struggled to win but to-even register a goal in our last four trips to Spurs. That needs to change tomorrow.

On the flip side, I also listened to suggestions that our hosts might not be a very happy camp at the moment and that some of that unrest may be down to increased speculation about their hero, Harry Kane’s, future. They also have their manager unavailable following recent surgery and although I wish him well, of course; if both scenarios are to prove disruptive, then I’ll take that.

I mentioned how ‘geed up’ I personally felt just watching our manager take questions yesterday – his deep staring concentration was palpable even through the computer monitor. If I had that reaction after just 14 or so minutes then I’m guessing the players will have received a right good dose of Pep’s positive vibes in the last week! We also go into this fixture on the back of 3 wins against Premier League opposition; scoring 8, conceding 2 and keeping 2 clean sheets in that time.

I’m gonna take all of that and use it to predict that we’ll reverse the recent Spurs away trend and not only score but win this one. It’s a vital 3 points to City.

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

Prediction: Draw

Result: Lost

(There was no pre-match blog posting for that game as I was away on holiday at the time)

Expected weather conditions during the game: Fresh but nice. 8C & sunny at the start of the game quickly gives way to 6C and starry skies but it’s a crisp, dry late afternoon / early evening for all concerned, at least. Definitely a shades during the day job but a warm coat, scarf & woolly hat job for later on, I would suggest.

Solidarity