Second half.

Two-legged games often get referred to as “half time” after the first game and before the second match is played. I think it’s quite a good reference and I, as a City fan of course, am happy to go into the second period 3-1 up heading into our home leg.

 

But we shouldn't be complacent despite the form we’re in and despite Manyoo’s wobbles – it was only around 8 weeks ago that our visitors from Trafford took 3 points off us in the league 'on our own patch'.

 

It’s a game I’m going to miss tomorrow night due to work and, due to a busy schedule otherwise, I’ve decided to put this pre-match blog posting out early and before Pep’s pre-match press conference; leaving my ‘predicted line-up & subs’ open to more room for error.

v Manyoo

Etihad Stadium

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

(Number correct from starting line-up in the last game: 7/11).

Fluid 3-6-1 / 4-5-1 / 4-6-0:

______________________________________________

____________________Aguero____________________

Jesus___________________________________Mahrez

__________De Bruyne_________B. Silva____________

_____________________Rodri_____________________

Mendy___________________________________Walker

____________Laporte________Fernandinho_________

____________________Ederson___________________

Subs: Bravo, Cancelo, Stones, Gundogan, Foden, D. Silva, Sterling.

Ederson back between ‘the sticks’.

A complete change of “back 4” from our last outing, with Aymeric & Fernandinho in-between Benjamin & Kyle.

A change also of defensive midfielder, with Rodders stepping into that deeper role which, I’m sure at times, with double-up to be a 3^rd central defender whenever Mendy & walker ‘push on’.

Ahead of the Spaniard, I think we’ll see a fluid system used by Pep a few times recently which might, if I’m correct, utilise both of our strikers; with Gabriel being deployed as an attacker on the left flank and with Sergio not necessarily ‘pushing right up’ all of the time but, instead, joining the rest in an ‘advanced position’. The others in that marauding group to include Kevin, Bernardo & Riyad.

(Of course, some of those are subject to fitness tests, especially Rodri & Mahrez who both took knocks last Sunday).

Claudio as the back-up keeper; Joao & John the defensive replacement options form the bench. Ilkay, Phil, David & still off colour Raheem in ‘the 7’ as midfield / wing change-options.

Notable absences:

-       Angelino – Not selected.

-       Oleksandr Zinchenko – Not selected.

-       Nicolas Otamendi – Not selected.

-       Leroy Sane – Is now with the rest of the squad, as he continues his fitness training ahead of a planned, February return. Progress...

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

That looks like a fine selection to me.

Result? I never underestimate a Manyoo side and why would I – despite their inconsistences and various problems they still have decent players who can cause damage if you’re not ‘on it’. They might even score, despite us-now-having all defensive options to choose from.

But with Wembley in sight once again; at home and with those players listed - some of whom were rested last weekend - I just can’t see us letting this one slip from our grasp. It’s a home win for me, despite a draw being good enough also.

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

Prediction: N/A

Result: N/A

Expected weather conditions during the game: Nothing much happening really – overcast, little chance of some drizzle and 7C with a bit of a south-westerly breeze.

Play ‘em or leave ‘em out?

It’s not like Pep to put out a very-much-weakened side in a cup competition against a side from a lower division and my headline isn’t suggesting that he will / we should do that against Fulham. In fact, a look at where they sit in the Championship suggests that doing so would be a mistake.

 

Instead, I think there are some player decisions to be made for this encounter for a variety of reasons, which I’ll go into in more depth [more than usual] in my squad write-up.

v Fulham

Etihad Stadium

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

(Number correct from starting line-up in the last game: 8/11).

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

____________________Jesus_____________________

__Sterling_____________________________B. Silva__

____________Foden___________D. Silva____________

___________________Gundogan___________________

Zinchenko_______________________________Cancelo

____________Laporte_________Stones_____________

_____________________Bravo____________________

Subs: Carson, Walker, Garcia, Rodri, De Bruyne, Mahrez, Aguero.

According to our manager, the only player unavailable through injury / fitness is Leroy Sane.

Claudio steps in net for this one (I think Ederson needs some ‘time out’ and possible ‘reflection time’ too, after a few errors that have crept into his game recently, which I’m sure Pep and his staff have been discussing with the ‘Brazilian Beast’).

Oleksandr to continue on the left-flank of the defence (it’s a good opportunity to give the 23-year old some more game time, which has been a rare event of late - it might help to keep him from-getting twitchy for a summer move too), with Joao to be rotated with Kyle from our last outing, on the right. In-between those, I think we’ll see Aymeric ‘go again’ (even though we have an important home game on Wednesday night, I think his boss will see THIS home fixture to be a pretty safe one for the Frenchman to continue his match fitness regime, following long-term injury) and is likely, I recon, to be joined by John (another one who is likely to have his resilience tested after more signs of injury-flakiness recently…as well as it being an opportunity to rekindle the Laporte / Stones partnership).

Ilkay is likely to be given a go at redeeming himself, following a fairly poor showing against Crystal Palace a week ago and ahead of him in the ‘creative middle’ department; SURELY Phil gets to start this one, with recently-withdrawn / rested David to partner the lad from Stockport.

On either attacking flank, I’m going for Pep to start with Raheem on the left. Why? I don’t think any City fan would argue that the still-young England man has been a shadow of himself in recent weeks. Indeed, following the Sheffield United game last Tuesday night, the Manchester Evening News wrote the following, after giving our winger 5/10:

His flat period goes on - this was the Sterling we saw under Pellegrini, not sharp, blind alleys, wrong decisions.

I think that’s fair comment.

There have been calls from a lot of City fans for Raheem to be given some ‘time out’ to rest / refresh and, particularly following a packed, festive period, I’ve agreed with that sentiment. However, should I be correct about this one and Guardiola does decide to start Sterling tomorrow afternoon; I would agree with that selection-choice too, for the reason that…this could-well-be an ideal opportunity for the 25-year old to regain some confidence, should that also be an issue [in-addition to any possible fatigue he may be suffering with]. Bernardo to start on the right, simply for player / squad rotation purposes.

Similar to the Raheem situation; I can see Pep wanting to start Gabriel on Sunday…and this one would definitely be for 'confidence reasons'. I don’t think it was just his penalty miss, which then appeared to cause him to have such a poor game in Yorkshire 4 days ago; I think the fact that he is so ‘in & out’ of the team / starting 11 that it’s continuing to affect his consistency / form. Why would it not? A morale-boosting game is just what the Brazilian forward very much needs.

Scott should make the bench as reserve stopper for this encounter and I can see Kyle & Eric being the only defensive choice-options from the side. Why? I Don’t think Pep will want to see this clash go to a replay and, therefore, if we are struggling at any point and we need ‘game changers’ to come on, then what better way than to include Kevin, Riyad & Sergio in addition to having the security of Rodders in ‘the 7’.

Notable absences: 

-       Ederson – Not selected.

-       Angelino – Not selected.

-       Benjamin Mendy – Apparently okay to start but having suffered recent ‘muscle fatigue’, I recon he might get another day off before our next, crucial away-league game.

-       Nicolas Otamendi – Not selected.

-       Fernandinho – Not selected / rested / protected.

-       Leroy Sane – Continues to train on his own and the hope is for him to be available early February.

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

I think that’s a 'good 11' for this one.

Result? From what I’ve recently heard, I understand that Fulham like to play a similar style to us – lots of possession and front-foot work. Certainly, 42 league goals (joint-4^th best in their division) from 29 played lends itself to that judgement.

However, 30 leaked goals also suggests that they rarely keep a clean sheet and, therefore, I can see us exploiting that potential weakness.

I don’t know – and haven’t investigated – anything about their playing staff to any great degree apart from hitman Aleksandar Mitrovic; a striker I have often been impressed with whenever I’ve seen the strong, mobile 25-year old. I’m quite surprised The Cottagers have managed to keep hold of the 6’ 2’’, former-Republic Yugoslavian following relegation from the Premier League last season.

I seem to say this quite often, particularly this season, but I can see them scoring tomorrow; not least for the reasons of my praise for Mitrovic. However, failing to beat Palace at home aside; we’re in excellent form at the moment and with a near-fully-fit squad to choose from too.

If we perform well at the back and have our creative heads on also to break down any visitor resistance, then I can’t see anything other than a City win, which is what I’m going for.

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

Prediction: N/A

Result: N/A

Expected weather conditions during the game: A dull, dreary early morning turns to light rain leading up to kick off (1pm GMT)…which is then forecasted to turn to heavy rain in the second half. With the rain continuing after the game and into the evening also, it’s a wet journey home for fans too. 7 or 8C with a bit of a breeze doesn’t help matters either, so it’s most-definitely warm layers / waterproof coat and a hot pie sort-of-afternoon.