We have lost 12 of our last 13 Premier League games against Man City. The only win out of those was in this very season at Home. We haven’t really playing well against them from some time now, having lost all our last 7 as visitors. And there is a chance to do the double on them since 2007-08 season.
Man City are unbeaten in their last 38 games at home in all competition, last time they failed to register a win was against Brentford in 2022; their longest run without a defeat since 1919-1921. They have one of the best managers in the world, probably ‘the’ best who has assembled one of ‘the’ best teams on the planet. We have seen how they didn’t allow Klopp and his Liverpool team with the likes of Salah, Mane, Firmino and VVD to win more than one Premier League title at their heights. We know they will not allow us as well.
Team News
We are having some luck. John Stones and Kyle Walker are out for today’s game – both picked up an injury in the international break. However, Ederson, Akanji and De Bruyne are fit to play likely having recovered from their not-so-serious injuries.
We have our own challenges though. Saka and Gabriel pulled out from their international duty and it remains to be seen if they can make it. Martinelli was out because of a foot injury and is doubtful for the game. Missing both Saka and Martinelli creates a problem for us, since we only have Trossard as a quality back up. I don’t want to see Nelson starting against City with almost no game time recently. The other option would be to put Gabriel Jesus on the right wing but too many un-tried changes can disrupt the chemistry and it’s not one of those games where you need to try new things. Lets see who makes it before the game.
Personally, I would pray for Saka to make it. He has a score to settle with Foden. Kai up top has proved better than Jesus and I will stick to it. In the midfield, Jorgi allowing Rice to play an advance role has helped us. We need Odegaard to continue his form, and we need our defence to be solid like we had. We need Raya to keep his calm and concentration because the City players are going to test him.
Fire and blood
At this point, players are aware of the game Mikel wants to play. At this stage, both the managers would have figured out each other’s game plan. Quality wise, City might have an upper hand because of De Bruyne and Haaland but then Saliba had kept Haaland in his pocket whenever we have played them and we have our own KDB in Odegaard. At this stage, I would say the only disadvantage we have over City is that we are playing on their ground.
Most of the time, you win because of your game plan. You find a way to over crowd the opposition box, you define a strategy to overload the fullbacks, you play a false 9, and if you are Brentford, you find a way to let them have all the ball and counter attack whenever you get a chance. Some other time requires fire and blood. Today’s the day!
The winner of this match will be decided by whoever is willing to sweat more, keep the fire burning for 90min, run and press endlessly and put their body on the line when needed.
The winner of this match will go on to win Premier League. Lets see how much Arteta can motivate a group of 15 players.
Right, we should thank the gods – the old and the new – for the football is back. And what a way to begin. Hope you are doing well, hopefully it ends even better.
Cheers!
Good post Ambarish I’m more bullish which is a tad unusual for me.
I have to say my gut is telling me we will pick up 3 points tonight and take the fight to Lpool.
Pep is crying we have it easier than poor Pep and his pampered bunch of prima donnas. All gamesmanship of course but Pep going full blown “Poor Me” is music to my ears because psychologically, it could get in his players head.
When you add by looking at their current injuries, if Stones, Walker and KDB are really injured, we should be able to attack their left flank with impunity, and speed depending if our flying Martinelli is also fit. Even so we have the squad to score goals if El B uses his squad properly – something yet to be witnessed.
Often when a top side uses youth and 2nd tier, they do well because the youth players play differently. I hope tonight El B has tactics for that and every eventually.
For us they say late fitness test for both Gabs and Saka, which probably means they will start.
A full fit squad for us is what Pep is bitching about. Can’t wait to see the points eventual deduction have Pep deciding on his future.
Without Walker we can exploit their left side. I’d prefer to see ESR at 8 but obviously Havertz will get the nod. Partey took part in a behind-the-scenes game against Fulham, which we lost, so has some fitness to help shut out the game with Rice if need be.
I can see us winning 4:1 if we play like we did when we beat Pool.
That’s my 10 cents worth: a win and mount more pressure on Klopp, and make their fans whinge more than normal.
TRVL would be interested to know how you’d set up for this game?
Marc enjoy the liquid game lol
KP Trust in me (Think Jungle Book)
Norg I’m sticking with 4:1 win for us especially if Walker, KDB and Stones are out. Even with them City have looked stale. It will be all down to El B because we have the players and the free scoring at will form.
Anything but 3 points will be a big let down for me.
See you all at the game…….
https://www.besoccer.com/team/injuries-suspensions/manchester-city-fc
Nice piece Ambarish
I’ve still no idea how today will pan out – obviously having Saka and possibly Martinelli could make a huge difference to us. Saliba against Haaland will be critical but he’s shown he can cope with him.
City have not looked the same team this season and we know we can be a bit flaky on occasions so its about who wants it.
If the team can go out with half of Tony’s confidence we’ve got a chance!
We will know the team that will be trotting out at the Etihad in just under 2 hours time. Hopefully it will include Martinelli & Saka up front & Gabriel at the back. I have a funny feeling Havertz will do something silly today.
Tony – thanks for the info in one of your earlier posts. We are hoping to start production in Northern Spain later this year.
Hi Tony
Your optimism is infectious. As they used to say in Robocop, ‘I’ll buy that for a dollar’. We’ve got a young, dynamic team full of energy. City, on the other hand see less gifted in those departments than in previous seasons. Like NORG says, let’s see who’s in each team line up. Positivity on the pitch and no manager inspired bullshit will set us up.
Thanks Ambarish
A typically thought-provoking warm-up for the big game. I agree that seeing Martinelli starting will be a huge fillip. REALLY important not to concede an early goal. Sounds like a massive truism but many of those defeats that you mention have been characterised by an early goal.
I still haven’t fully restored my equilibrium after that officiating shitshow in Cardiff on Friday. Dare I ask – who’s the whistle-meister this afternoon?
Any India or anywhere else(!) based readers out there today, please join in people. This feels like a really big game today.
So cool Pool are down 0:1 to BHA Scousers are whinging: life is perfect for now.
Are you in the pub, Marc? Pool losing is worth a shot!
Tony
A 4-1 to Arsenal? It’s going to be a fun long night for me then..
Marc
Yes, I still think City has a somewhat a better chance to win but we can give em a fight.
KP
Hope you are doing well, I will get couple of them here haha. Turned 2 of them gooners in a cricket world 😁
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Whatever be the result, we need to show the intent. I remember a game around new year last season(?) when we played some superb football for 30 odd minutes and some referee bullshit fucked it up against City.
Anything of that sort for 90 min and we are coming back with a win.
It’s high time the apprentice take over from the master.
Brighton can’t keep that lead for another 70 min I’m sure. Salah is just too much for them. (trying a reverse jinx).
Liverpool get lucky 1:1
NORG
A good or bad? Havertz is a dark art merchant, but he is clever unlike Xhaka. When he does something, it’s usually a card for the opponent.
If he scores a hat-trick, I will write an apology letter to Mikel.
Ambarish good try. I saw this game as a draw.
Pool is too good for Brighton.. at Anfield.
I would take a draw but can Brighton keep it 1-1? I have my lucky ring out for the evening.
They are going in at half time level so there’s hope and an old Gooner Welbeck scoring is cool.
Lucky ring out is TMI behave Ambarish😂
Ambarish
Havertz must have been having lessons from DB10.
Saka just seen getting off the coach – fingers crossed.
Marc
Saka is such a star, I think he’s qualified as a coach driver to add even more value at the club. 🚌🚌🚌
Call me a die-hard (!) but I’m watching the Women’s game at Molyneux rather than the bindips. Arsenal fans much louder than the Pensioners. I bet Welbeck was elated when he scored.
Footmob has Trossard at LW with no Martinelli. Havertz at 9 and Jorginho at 8 next to Rice and the rest are the usual subjects
Maya in goal. Any thoughts?
Tony
I’d say this is one game where Jorginho should start. He’s a big time player and he’ll keep things ticking in midfield. I think he played against Liverpool and made a difference.
Could BHA equalize?
KP
Totally agree Rice has given Jorginho time he needs on the ball and to pivot with Rice both ways.
It makes us solid. Like we’ve all said Rice is the difference maker and why we have a good say in the outcome of the league.
Once Rice settled this season we have produced some good football to be challenging now.
I’m staying with my 4:1 prediction.🤔
BHA have fought hard and given Pool many hold your breath moments, but Pool go back to top.
Good game for the neutrals but not Gooners.
Any predictions lads?
OK. I’m going for a 2-nil win.
So Jesus wide left with no Walker. Time to break their home record and the Pool win should make us fight harder to be back to top.
that’s the first time Klopp has defeated DeZerbi, which is why the latter manager is so highly rated, amongst those in the know…as for today’s affair, having no Marts is a real blow on both ends of the pitch…looks to be a somewhat “faux” defensive setup, as per usual against the top clubs or in knockout affairs…problem is Jorginho isn’t defensive whatsoever, so maybe on this day Rice will remain deep and Jorginho will try to unlock things on the left side of the pitch…real boon for us that Walker is absent, unfortunately we have no one with real pace out there to take full advantage…that said, they’re ripe for the plucking and if we showed any ability to counter with pace and numbers, we could come out on top…as for all this Havertz banter, until he does anything that reminds me of why he was so highly coveted in the first place, he will remain as the world’s most expensive and gangly placeholder
Jesus seriously? WTF?
Agree TRVL, unfortunately the stale City of recent games is at full throttle. If we can contain the first 30, the Etihad will quieten. Then assert our game.
RIP Rocky
I would have much rather we started Nelson out wide with Jesus in the middle, so as to properly attack their most vulnerable aspects, but you all know full-well that this would never happen under MA…I’m assuming Jesus is playing because he was none too happy about being healthy yet not seeing the pitch ahead of Havertz…I can only imagine what Tross feels about this predicament…that said, I’m sure he’s the quieter of the two and these days the loudest asshole in the room usually wins
We don’t have any answers to the City onslaught.
this City squad is far from a final product…they’ve suffered some injury setbacks, but they’ve never really replaced their wide side players…last year they got away with it because teams hadn’t figured out how to defend Haaland quite yet, but now that they have a blueprint of sorts, which means limiting those who provide the best service, they’re much easier to play against…of course, this will undoubtedly be short-lived, so long as Pep stays…of course, all things being relative, as they’re still a top-top team in world football, it’s just that this is the weakest Euro crop in some time
Raya reminding me of John Lukic – or Johnny Bostic as he was known. Always stuck to his line
Jesus is only good for false 9 hard work rate being a nuisance
setbacks and they’ve never