Sunderland (H) - Sat 6th Dec, 15:00 | PL | Pre-Match Thread

[M12Blue]

That seems odd

The optics of the graph mislead a little but 7km between 10 outfield places shouldn’t really impact. Be nice if same graph could split first and second half.
Personally I think the second half drop offs when in commanding positions more likely mentality (thinking already won) rather than legs.

 

[Earlyriser]

Clearly the figures are not calculated when Stones is playing

 

[Pepmanc]

This will be a difficult game but I think we will win 2-0.

 

[.db.]

Tough game this one.

Maybe shift O'Reilly into midfield alongside Nico? Put Gvardiol at left-back with Stones and Dias together.

Cherki in for Reijnders.

I’d go for that.

Something a bit different and more solid looking. Plus you get Gvardiol’s attacking qualities from left back.

 

[heslops barnet]

This team might get dunked on. Possibly need Stones in there and Ake instead of Ait Nouri for his heading.

The Goliath, Big Dan Ballard is going to be their weapon.

Don’t want Ake or Stones anywhere near this game

 

[.db.]

Don’t want Ake or Stones anywhere near this game

We beat a three league titles in a row United with Mettomo and Weikens at centre back once. Surely Aké or Stones are good enough for Sunderland at home.

 

[heslops barnet]

We beat a three league titles in a row United with Mettomo and Weikens at centre back once. Surely Aké or Stones are good enough for Sunderland at home.

Unfortunately both past their best…….

 

[Blumooniac]

They will be f**kin loud. Loudest mob I ever heard at Maine Road.

 

[Zenmanc]

I think headless chickens fall over less.

With the way prices are a headless chicken is worth more than Savinho is right now.

 

[mexico1970]

One of these needed on Saturday.

 

[lunebleu]

Unfortunately both past their best…….

Ake is only 30. A good player….. certainly good enough to play against Sunderland.

 

[denTTony]

Ake is only 30. A good player….. certainly good enough to play against Sunderland.

he is only 30 but maybe too many injuries now. looks woefully slow and hardly jumped for the 2nd Leverkusan goal

 

[burning blue soul]

Savinho is responsible for half of that mileage. Running around like a headless chicken.

Firm, but fair.

 

[burning blue soul]

One of these needed on Saturday.

Yes, send her my way!

 

[its a Barm]

Just fuckin win.

 

[richards30]

We beat a three league titles in a row United with Mettomo and Weikens at centre back once. Surely Aké or Stones are good enough for Sunderland at home.

Stones yes, Ake looks like he is running in treacle these days

 

[thejacksonfive]

Sunderland are all long throws, set pieces, breaking the game up with fouls. More like Brentford than Fulham.

City need their tallest team possible.

That's the fouls table so far this season. To say that they rely on fouls is very much not true. As you can see, they've committed the second lowest number of fouls of any team this season.

 

[Marvin.]

This is one of those games that looks like it's going to be frustrating but where the 3 points are all that matters.

We could well go into it with Arsenal having dropped points at Villa in the early KO. Arsenal have not beaten any of the better sides this season.

 

[richards30]

Donnarumma
Khusanov
Stones
Dias
Gvardiol
Gonzalez
Reijnders
Foden
Cherki
Doku
Haaland

 

[Blue Since 76]

Will be a tough game. Watched them the other night and they were energetic and pressed, two things we've struggled with over the last 18 months.

The positive is we had an extra 24hrs prep and they're not used to playing mid-week, so hopefully they're gassed.

The negative is we've got Madrid next week, so I'm expecting Saturday's selection to be a mix of kids, coaching staff, the first 3 fans in the ground and Bernardo. I could even see Phillips making the bench.