Well whoever sorted out the 2017/18 fixture list is a right card and having a good old chuckle at their cleverness.
After opening their campaign on the south coast two weeks ago against newly promoted Brighton, City are back down there again two weeks later to face Eddie Howe`s Bournemouth. Excellent – another 500+ miles round trip for fans travelling from Manchester. Who wouldn`t want to be driving down to the seaside on the August Bank Holiday weekend for a 12.30 kick off? I mean, it`s not like the roads will be busy down to one of the most popular seaside destinations in the country??..
Oh and before City fans think of relaxing they had better be prepared for spending more time in the car as the next two away fixtures are against Watford and then the champions Chelsea on the 16th and 30th September respectively.
That`s potentially 1830 miles (in return trips) for City fans to travelling from Manchester inside the first six weeks. Outstanding work there guys [THUMBS]
Eddie Howe and his players made a good fist of their second season in the Premier League finishing a creditable 9th. Further consolidation of their status in the top flight will clearly be on the agenda and the recruitment of the experienced Jermaine Defoe is a step in the right direction. Howe also looked to strengthen his side`s ‘spine` with the addition of centre back Nathan Aké and goalkeeper Asmir Begovic from Chelsea.
After their opening day defeat against West Brom they suffered a home defeat last weekend to Watford before overcoming Birmingham 1-2 in the second round of the EFL Cup. They will be looking to build on this as they seek to overturn a pretty poor record against their visitors. This fixture has proved fruitful for City in the past two seasons with City victorious each time, scoring a total of 15 goals and conceding only once on the first encounter back in October 2015 (it finished 5-1). Eddie Howe will be looking to his side to ignite their Premier League campaign and exploit the perceived wide open spaces behind the Sky Blue defence – the ones so avidly sought by Pickford`s launched kicks on Monday – or simply look to soak up pressure and play on the counter (the alternate tactic employed by Koeman).
City on the other hand will be looking to return to winning ways after once again failing to secure all three points at home to Everton on Monday evening. The game once again saw City reduced to ten men in an early season fixture – ironically it was against Bournemouth at the Etihad when Nolito got his marching orders for squaring up to the irritating Adam Smith. One could be forgiven for thinking that Bobby Madley, in dismissing Kyle Walker on his home debut, was simply following the same script as we witnessed on other occasions last season. Challenges by City players accentuated by the media (Aguero v Reid) or the player (Smith) – the sense of Deja Vu was palatable on Monday when Clavert-Lewin took an opportunity on the blind side of the referee to simulate that he had suffered an elbow or arm to the face as Walker positioned himself in front of the Everton forward under a high ball. The fact that this action is not going to face any review by the much vaunted ‘Diving Panel` is an absolute joke given their remit to punish players for the “successful deception of a match official”. If this doesn`t qualify then I don`t know what will. Oh yes, actually I do. It will be the first time Aguero, Sterling or Sane go down under pressure from a defender in the opposition box. You read it here first.
Walker`s one match ban cannot be appealed and so Danilo is likely to get a starting berth on the right side of City`s defence/attack. Given how well he influenced matters last Monday from this position that will seem a decent option but begs the more difficult question of who will fill the left hand berth. Sane did not seem comfortable in that role last Monday and indeed was responsible for the loss of possession which led to to Everton taking the lead but he may well be used there again at Dean Court. Ederson was unlucky not to keep out Rooney`s side-footed landmark strike – the keeper`s right boot was only able to deflected the well hit contact from 8 yards onto the post where it unfortunately ricocheted into the net unlike Silva`s effort at the other end 50 seconds earlier which flew past Wonder Keeper Jordan Pickford only to cannon back into play. The margins are that thin in this league and we really must look at our forwards (as Pep has been saying) who are just not taking their chances. Aguero had a gilt edged one but contrived to find yet another player to try and beat before shooting only to find the space closed down and the shot blocked.
Pep will be looking for a response from his players. I sensed he was not unhappy overall from the performance on Monday and I think he deserves credit as much as the players for his role in securing a point from the jaws of a damaging home defeat. He made changes which influenced the outcome – one sub (Danilo) providing the cross from which another (Sterling) ultimately scored and a third who started to show what he can offer to the team (Bernardo – I am going to call him that from now on as the Silva B, Silva D thing is just too much hard work).
This is the week hat we need our forwards to fire into action – time for Aguero and Jesus to get on the scoresheet together. Game on – it is the early kick off and an opportunity to go the top of the table albeit briefly and ‘pile the pressure` on the ‘Champions Elect` Rags.
Come on City!!!
Opposition Player to watch
Jermaine Defoe. Has not set the world on fire but it is early days into his career at his latest club and this guy knows where the goal is and can turn on a sixpence so will need close watching by the City defenders. I am going to take a gamble and say – yes he will play.
Match Officials
Referee – Mike Dean
Assistants – S Long; I Hussin
Fourth Official – L Probert
Stats** comparison (2017/18 Premier League):-
Bournemouth
Goals per game – 0
Avg Possession – 58.7%
Pass Accuracy – 82.3%
Shots per game – 7.5
Dribbles per game – 5.5
Discipline – 2Y, 0R
City
Goals per game – 1
Avg Possession – 65.7%
Pass Accuracy – 86.7%
Shots per game – 16.5
Dribbles per game – 9.5
Discipline – 3Y, 1R (just like last season?.it has started)
**Stats courtesy of Whoscored.com
Team News
Bournemouth will be missing defender Simon Francis, Junior Stanislas and Calum Wilson through injury.
City will be without the suspended Kyle Walker and although Ilkay Gundogan was in the squad for the Everton game I doubt he will be risked. The big question remains whether this will be the weekend when Benjamin Mendy finally makes his first appearance in a City shirt. All eyes will be on Pep at his press conference.
Potential starting XI, subs & formation
Ederson
Kompany, Stones, Otamendi
Danilo De Bruyne, Fernandinho, Silva D, Mendy
G Jesus, Aguero
Subs:-
Bravo, Mangala, Toure, Silva B, Sterling, Sane, Diaz
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