Crystal Palace (H) - Sat 27th Aug 15:00 | Pre-Match Thread

[thepolarbear]

Anyone know what TV station this will be on if not Sky?

BeIn Sports English 1

www.liveonsat.com to check channels

 

[Gray]

A real boggy team for us.

 

[Harvster]

A real boggy team for us.

Do you have a sinking feeling?

 

[St.Pauli support]

Imagine we'd get something vs our bogey team!!

Didn't score in the last 2 matches against them (A 0-0, H 0-2).
Maybe it's time for a change.

Hope we go back to clean sheets after the Newcastle invitational.

 

[PragueBlue]

Every time we drop points, it's lauded as the way to beat us. It seldom turns out to be the case

I think that has often been because we have pressed so well and not given teams the time or opportunity to get a foothold in the match and truly exploit our perceived weaknesses. I am not so sure that is the case now.

The presence of Haaland gives us many new possibilities on the ball but I do think that it has weakened our pressing and it will give teams more time to pick their passes through our midfield. I don't think we have yet found the balance between using these new attacking options and being as structured and effective without the ball. I am not personally convinced that having the full backs used forward in a more central position is the right answer to that problem.

I suspect that it may take us a little while to actually find the right balance. Personally I believe that we'll end up with something more like a 4-2-3-1 with Bernardo and Rodri as the 2 deeper lying players and then KDB along with two of Foden, Grealish and Mahrez supporting Haaland up top. That way we can still press with 3 or 4 and yet provide the defence with some protection.

 

[LesBleuMiserable]

Do we reckon Alvarez will be getting in the starting 11 soon? Any plans to play him alongside Haaland?

Tonight v barca more likely

 

[Regista21]

Honestly, City would have to change the way they play. This 2-3-5 against a team so fast on the breaks like Crystal Palace is a huge no.
I would use a 3-2-5, with Alvarez instead of Haaland. Also, huge focus on corners.
Right now, I'm inclined to believe it's gonna be a draw.

 

[Mad Eyed Screamer]

Honestly, City would have to change the way they play. This 2-3-5 against a team so fast on the breaks like Crystal Palace is a huge no.
I would use a 3-2-5, with Alvarez instead of Haaland. Also, huge focus on corners.
Right now, I'm inclined to believe it's gonna be a draw.

So take off our biggest aerial threat - and concentrate on corners?

 

[BringBackSwales]

Honestly, City would have to change the way they play. This 2-3-5 against a team so fast on the breaks like Crystal Palace is a huge no.
I would use a 3-2-5, with Alvarez instead of Haaland. Also, huge focus on corners.
Right now, I'm inclined to believe it's gonna be a draw.

You’re name isn’t Pep is it? Ole or Ralf maybe?

 

[Regista21]

So take off our biggest aerial threat - and concentrate on corners?

Haaland isn't the biggest aerial threat. Being tall doesn't mean you are good in aerial duels.
I've watched a few Crystal Palace matches this season. They're weak on corners. If you can exploit that right, you'll be be able to score against them.