Manchester City (a)

[Fredo]

I'm confident but we need to be concentrated for the full game, and adopt a strategy against this lot. They'll try to control the possession and we might try likewise. Mistakes under pressure will probably happen quite a lot, and it's going to be how we deal with difficult situations which will dictate how this game ends. We haven't had great results lately there.

I fancy us to tear them apart on the counter attack and to exploit their weaknesses. I fee comfort about the fact that on a defensive level, we've been the best team over the past 20 games.

[RedReet]

Likely City team then? I'd guess:

Ederson

Walker Stones Laporte Cancelo

Rodri
De Bruyne Gundogan

Foden Sterling Silva

I think it is the front three that is hard to guess. Surely Foden will start after his previous performance against us? Sometimes they put Silva in that midfield 3 too, but lately it's been Gundogan in there.

Even on paper we look really evenly matched to me.

Mahrez, Foden and one of Sterling or Grealish, depending on who he wants to play CF is my guess.

[Pablo]

There's only really the games against City (and possibly Chelsea recently) where we don't dominate possession. I expect they will have at least 55% possession on Sunday, maybe more.

I think with this being away from home we might play a touch more on the counter-attack than usual, and that could suit us. With that in mind it is tempting to start Diaz as he's absolute lightning. A front three of Salah, Mane and Diaz could be lethal on the counter-attack.

[Doc_Piptorious]

Throwing it out there - Salah is way off it at the minute (understandably)...would anyone even countenance leaving him out on Sunday?

Nope.


Even off form, team are putting two players on him hroughout games and that opens up room for our other attackers who rarely get the same amount of doubling up done to them by comparison.

It is also a big part in TAA getting more space as the defenders get drawn to Salah.

A front three of one from Diaz or Mane (leaning towards Diaz on that one) with Jota and Salah please.

[labourRed]

Nope.


Even off form, team are putting two players on him hroughout games and that opens up room for our other attackers who rarely get the same amount of doubling up done to them by comparison.

It is also a big part in TAA getting more space as the defenders get drawn to Salah.

A front three of one from Diaz or Mane (leaning towards Diaz on that one) with Jota and Salah please.

Definitely a valid point - happened last night and against Watford also.

Despite saying i wouldn't start him, he's going to start, the game to rest him in was last night - or even Watford - but we can't take that back.

[Rigadon]

I really like Jota but I would go Salah, Mane, Diaz against City.

[danperkins]

I think we can all agree whatever the permutation up front, even after we've made subs, that Jota shouldn't play on the right like last night. From the left, through the middle or not at all, for me.

he looks lost on the right side anytime he has been played there.

[Harv]

Throwing it out there - Salah is way off it at the minute (understandably)...would anyone even countenance leaving him out on Sunday?

The way he's playing, absolutely.

Diaz, Firmino, Mane to run them ragged for 60mins

Then Salah and Jota off the bench, pissed off, with a point to prove.

[Harv]

Midfield i'd probably go with Keita if he pulls up ok. Otherwise Hendo comes in and hopefully asserts himself.

Where's Gini when you need him

[Kenneth]

It’s put my house on Hendo starting.

[Slinky Skills]

**** these cunts, we're going to do them and their **** fans on Sunday haha!

[Doc_Piptorious]

**** these cunts, we're going to do them and they're **** fans on Sunday haha!

My Man



Get into them from the first whistle. It is going to be tight and scrappy at times as they will try to squeeze the game as much as we try to, but if we go at them hard straight away we will find out if they can stay with us going punch for punch.

If they can, then fair dues, if they can't then unluckeeee, blue mooners

[Shaggy]

[ame]https://twitter.com/dmlynch/status/1512018189735149568[/ame]

[RedReet]

Phew. Couldn't shake that niggle that something would be picked up post match.

[Irishnev]

https://twitter.com/dmlynch/status/1512018189735149568

We have world class players and depth all over the pitch but him, Trent and Thiago are irreplaceable.