Pep Guardiola will be looking for a massive improvement in attitude, resilience, and guile compared to the one he witnessed during Manchester City’s shambolic Champions League Group F tie a few days ago when his side takes on Cardiff City later this afternoon.
Punditry prediction
Paul Merson told Sky Sports…
“I remember Cardiff gave City a real run for their money at home in the FA Cup. Defeat to Lyon in the Champions League will have really dented City’s confidence, Lyon could have picked them off and had four or five.
“What I always find with City is that they are a frontrunner kind of team, if they hit the front they are like the Harlem Globetrotters, if they go behind their shape, everything, completely and utterly goes out of the window.
“That being said I do expect them to win the game, but Cardiff will make it difficult for them from set plays, there’s no doubt about that.
“Cardiff have had a real go, and their results haven’t been for the lack of trying, they just lack a bit of guile. Hazard was the difference last week against Chelsea, and that’s a compliment.”
Paul predicts Manchester City to leave the Welsh capital 3-1 winners.
BBC Match of the Day’s Mark Lawrenson predicts Pep’s team will win 2-0 while his guest of the week, Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill has gone for a similar one to the former Gooner.
Tudor predicts
Last season’s Championship runners-up will put up one heck of a fight, but, with the likes of Sane, Bernardo, Gabriel Jesus and Sergio running at their defense I have a sneaky suspicion the home team will capitulate to a 4-0 defeat.
Are you going to the match?
Take a brolly or Mack as its going to be a soggy day.