Not so sure about them 'turning it round' nor being full strength. They won't have their first choice full backs, or wing backs if you prefer, and they've only beaten Brighton, Villa, and a poor Spurs side twice. Liverpool should have beaten them, imho.It’s going to be far far tougher than it seemed like it might be a few weeks ago. Tuchel seems to have refocused after his whinging, excuse-making spell and has made some tactical tweaks. They look good again and are pretty much full strength whereas we’re unsure what our covid situation looks like. Would be another huge win if we can get it.
I am happy with this cause most of our players will be just about coming back from COVID. But a win for us will be even sweeter!Given the choice - I think I'd take a point now.
Keeps the 10 point gap between us and Chelsea and i'm sure Liverpool will drop points in their next 3 games
Our next 3 are - Southampton, Brentford and Norwich which I'm confident we will get 9 points from.
I’m doing exactly the same, can’t wait.Really looking forward to this, fucking dry Jan off and going into town after.
Helps massively that Kepa will be in net
Not so sure about them 'turning it round' nor being full strength. They won't have their first choice full backs, or wing backs if you prefer, and they've only beaten Brighton, Villa, and a poor Spurs side twice. Liverpool should have beaten them, imho.
I'm not worried about them - they were on better form when we played them at Stamford Bridge - and I feel that, if we play anything like our best, we should win.
I expect them to park a very big bus!
Really looking forward to this, fucking dry Jan off and going into town after.
Helps massively that Kepa will be in net
I disagree. Even if we lose we're still in a brilliant position. It's essentially a free hit for us to throw everything at Chelsea and destroy their small title aspirations. Go all out, try to batter them and then enjoy a nice long rest before the next game.This game has a cautious 0-0 written all over it. Did you see the strength of the Chelsea bench at Spurs last night? How many top players have they lost to AFCON? Will be happy to share the points.
Who else should we have beaten? The league fixture list is the same for everyone. City have only beaten Brentford, Leeds, Newcastle , Wolves and a decent Arsenal side who deserved at least a draw from the same in recent weeks. I'd argue we lve turned a corner, not because Tuchel has done anything special tweaking but because we have gotten Jorginho, Kante and Kovacic fit again. We have stopped shipping goals, we're dominating games in a controlled manner again because we have our first choice midfielders back again.
Not that any of this will count for much on Saturday. I think we'll lose the game narrowly but as always I'm hopping for a surprise result
I disagree. Even if we lose we're still in a brilliant position. It's essentially a free hit for us to throw everything at Chelsea and destroy their small title aspirations. Go all out, try to batter them and then enjoy a nice long rest before the next game.
True but I’m not buying the recent media spin that Chelsea are a team on the verge of a crisis with internal unrest who’ve been found out etc etc. With my typical City pessimists hat on I see a dangerous team unbeaten in months who’ve had the best of City in our recent encounters.Yes, but 5 draws for Chelsea in that span of results.
F'kin Liverpool!!Who else should we have beaten? The league fixture list is the same for everyone. City have only beaten Brentford, Leeds, Newcastle , Wolves and a decent Arsenal side who deserved at least a draw from the same in recent weeks. I'd argue we lve turned a corner, not because Tuchel has done anything special tweaking but because we have gotten Jorginho, Kante and Kovacic fit again. We have stopped shipping goals, we're dominating games in a controlled manner again because we have our first choice midfielders back again.
Not that any of this will count for much on Saturday. I think we'll lose the game narrowly but as always I'm hopping for a surprise result
Live on BT Sport (UK) - I wish it wasn't. Kick off @ 12:30 (GMT).
A full weeks rest before this one, which is great as it looks like the squad needs it. Not worth writing too much in advance as we haven't got a clue what's going to happen over the next week.
Chelsea play twice before then; Chesterfield (H) - Sat 8th Jan and Spurs (A) - Wed 12th Jan.
We currently sit 10 points clear of Chelsea. Win this and it would do damage to the hopes of our title challengers.
Absentee's v Swindon
Pep
Ederson
Stones
Zinchenko
Fernandinho
Foden
Grealish
Sterling
Mahrez (AFCON)
No idea who has covid and who is just injured.
- Those who tested positive on Jan 4th or before will be fine as long as they are asymptomatic and double jabbed, as that is 10 days done (no training though).
- Those that aren't double jabbed will only be available if they were positive on or before Jan 1st, as that is 14 days.
- Those that are positive between Jan 4th and Jan 7th, will need to test negative twice on day 6 & 7 or day 7 & 8 or day 8 & 9, depending on when they tested positive. When you test negative seems to differ case to case (Day 12 & 13 for me!).
We have 18 outfield players and 3 goalkeepers. Unless the league cup game versus Wycombe counts? In which case add Egan-Riley, Burns, Mbete, Wilson-Esbrand, Lavia, Mcatee (did play some PL minutes so may count anyway). Just remembered Delap played last year too.
Mahrez away makes it 17 outfield. The youth make it 24 players. We need 13 outfield players.
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As far as I know EB it was a one off requirement to register on City’s website. No test was required?Hi sorry to bother you but do we have to do one of those tests and have it registered again before this game please? Last time the club sent us an email about it but not heard anything this time.
Thanks for your help. :-)
Puzzled (Puddled?) of Eccles
Who else should you have beaten? Brighton, Wolves, EvertonWho else should we have beaten? The league fixture list is the same for everyone. City have only beaten Brentford, Leeds, Newcastle , Wolves and a decent Arsenal side who deserved at least a draw from the same in recent weeks. I'd argue we lve turned a corner, not because Tuchel has done anything special tweaking but because we have gotten Jorginho, Kante and Kovacic fit again. We have stopped shipping goals, we're dominating games in a controlled manner again because we have our first choice midfielders back again.
Not that any of this will count for much on Saturday. I think we'll lose the game narrowly but as always I'm hopping for a surprise result
It will be a difficult game for both sides, your key player is Kante he makes you tick and ably assists your defence. It will be interesting to see how Tuchel sets you up considering you need to win the game.Who else should we have beaten? The league fixture list is the same for everyone. City have only beaten Brentford, Leeds, Newcastle , Wolves and a decent Arsenal side who deserved at least a draw from the same in recent weeks. I'd argue we lve turned a corner, not because Tuchel has done anything special tweaking but because we have gotten Jorginho, Kante and Kovacic fit again. We have stopped shipping goals, we're dominating games in a controlled manner again because we have our first choice midfielders back again.
Not that any of this will count for much on Saturday. I think we'll lose the game narrowly but as always I'm hopping for a surprise result
The declaration you agreed to is valid until restrictions finish.Hi sorry to bother you but do we have to do one of those tests and have it registered again before this game please? Last time the club sent us an email about it but not heard anything this time.
Thanks for your help. :-)
Puzzled (Puddled?) of Eccles