Early kick offs don't appear to have the same intensity as an evening under flood lights. City need to be on it a lot earlier than the Burnley game. That said, this was after a chumps league game.
The bonus is Pep has had a full week prep with the team and key players have been rested. I can't see us losing and a draw is likely if we don't bring our A game. I believe Pep will get this one right! 2-1
Bravo, Ott, Stones, Kol,
Navas, Dino, Gud, KDB, Nolito
Silva, Aguero
(Navas as he tracks back, not for his ineffective crosses).
Fully agreeYes, Navas tracks back. But when Chelsea break quickly after intercepting one of his ineffective crosses, he's not going to get back quickly enough before the ball reaches Hazard in our half. He's nearly always more effective in home games as a 2nd half sub.
Bravo
Sagna Otamendi Kolarov Clichy
Fernadinho Fernando
Sterling KDB Silva
Aguero
Stones is to lightweight against Costa and I think Pep will want to bring him down a peg or two after his indiscretion.
Gundogan off the bench if we're struggling. I don't think a point is a disaster but I think we'll sneak it 2-1.
He's on the same goals as Sergio in the league having started 3 extra games.I'm worried about Costa in this one. He'll relish trying to bully Stones/Otamendi whereas Kompany and Mangala were just too much.
He's also scoring a lot this year and will be difficult keeping him quiet.