Two teams with both goals and holes in ‘em.
It could be an exciting one but will it ultimately be an enjoyable one for us Blues?
v Manyoo
Etihad Stadium
Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:
(Number correct from the starting line-up in the last game: 7/11.
*A very fluid 4-1-4-1 / 4-5-1 / 4-3-3 (occasional 3-6-1):*
____________________Haaland____________________
Doku______________________________________Bobb
_________Reijnders______________________________
______________________________ Silva (C) ___________
_____________________ Rodri ______________________
Gvardiol___________________________________Lewis
_____________Ake______________Dias (VC) ___________
__________________Donnarumma__________________
**Subs:**Ortega, Trafford,Khusanov, Gonzalez, Phillips, Nunes, O’Reilly, Foden, Savinho.
New, NEW,NEW keeper to start? That’s what I’m going for. Gigio, as he prefers to be called, gets to put on the gloves at the start of the match this afternoon (4:30pm KOBST).
A back 4, occasional 3, of a returning Josko, Nathan, Ruben and Rico is my guess.
Rodders just ahead of the defence and in front of the Spaniard I’m going for Jeremy, Tijjani, Bernardo and Oscar.
Erling up front.
I can envisage two reserve stoppers on the bench in the form of Stefan and James, while Abdukodir is the only natural defender. Nico-G-, Kalvin ( he was training with his teammates, so…🤷♂️), Matheus, Nico-O- and Phil make up five midfielders on the side, while a returning Savinho gives us a natural width option from ‘the 9’.
Notableabsences:
-Marcus Bettinelli– Not selected.
-Rayan Ait-Nouri– Injured. The nature of the injury and length of time out is unknown.
-John Stones– We were told by our manager on Friday afternoon that John is a doubt. For me, if he’s a doubt then leave him out. I don’t want to necessarily refer to him as “Mr Glass” but I think you might get where I’m coming from - waiting until the England international is fully recovered would be wise.
-Mateo Kovacic– Making slow recovery following surgery on his Achilles injury some months ago. Unknown return date.
-Rayan Cherki– Out for a 2-month period from the date of the announcement on 30th August 2025 with a thigh muscle tear.
-Omar Marmoush– Out with a bruised knee ligament issue. Unknown return date but it will be a matter of weeks by the sounds of it; possibly returning either just before or just after the next international break in October.
Do I agree withPep’s (predicted) line-up?
Yep, looks decent.Huh…apart from Reijnders as well as Rodri and Bobb who were missing last season, it looks like last season’s team !
Result?
I’m gonna keep this simple.
At the beginning of this shorter-than-usual pre-match piece, I asked the question,“…will it ultimately be an enjoyable one for us Blues?” Well, if you like your team to avoid defeat but don’t mind, also, a home draw in the process then, if I’m correct, you should at least quite like this one. I’m predicting a score draw.
Let’s just hope last season’s home draw prediction isn’t followed by the same outcome…
Last season’s, corresponding pre-match prediction and result:
Prediction: Draw
Result: Lost
(Pre-match blog posting from that game)
Expected weather conditions during the game :After a lovely bright, promising start to Sunday in the region…it turns a bit bobbins. Light rain from about 2:00pm is forecast to turn heavier from around kick-off and will last throughout the match. In the heat of a local border skirmish, the playing surface could make for some mistimed tackles and a few referee cards being sprayed around as well as any possible surface water. Temperatures are set to be around just 13 or 14C with a moderate, southerly breeze so if you arrive at the ground somewhat damp, it could then feel a bit chilly for you sat in the stand.☂ ️🌧️🍃🥟☕🍺⚽
Solidarity