City host Wolves tonight in the Carabao Cup and while the Wanderers have been sharing their thoughts ahead of the clash, the press have been analysing who could start for the Blues with Pep Guardiola hinting he may ring the changes.
(Think you know who’ll feature? Cast your predictions for the line-up, result and scorers in the CityMatchday app!)
We have an intriguing tie on our hands with both sides in form. The Blues equalled their all-time record of consecutive victories with Saturday’s 3-0 win over Burnley, while Nuno Espírito Santo’s men sit top of the Championship.
As quoted in the Express and Star, Wolves midfielder Conor Coady wants his side to impose themselves on the Premier League leaders.
“It’s going to be a fantastic night,” he stated. “City are on fire at the moment – they’re demolishing teams, but we’ve got nothing to lose.
“Every single one of the boys is really excited about it and whoever plays on the night is going to be up for it.
“We’re taking thousands upon thousands of fans – as we do everywhere – and we’ll go there with no fear; we’ll go to enjoy ourselves, acquit ourselves well and keep on playing how we’ve been playing.
“We want to go there and impose ourselves and our way of playing on them. We all know our jobs and what we’ve got to do.”
Jack Price echoed: “I saw someone say we’re not scared of going there. It would be an upset but we don’t see it like that at the moment – we’re top of the league and they’re top of their league. It’ll be a good clash.
“We have to go there with our game plan, playing our possession football and see where it takes us.
“We won’t change the way we’re playing just because it’s Manchester City.
“I’ve played in a reserve game there and the stadium is brilliant. Everyone’s buzzing – when the draw’s made you’re hoping it’s you involved in the game.”
As the Daily Star report, Alfred N’Diaye agreed his side will not just be ‘sitting ducks’.
He added: “Sure, they are one of the best teams in Europe and we have to give everything or else they will beat us.
“But it’s 11 players versus 11 and we can win.
“They are a big, big team but we won’t be going there looking at their star players.
“We are winning games and we want to keep on that run. We’re going there to win because if you don’t have that mentality then you might just as well stay at home.”
Meanwhile, the journalists of the footballing world have attempted to predict how City will line up, with ClubCall of the opinion Claudio Bravo, Danilo, Eliaquim Mangala, Ilkay Gundogan, Yaya Toure, Tosin Adarabioyo are likely to feature.
Simon Bajkowski of the Manchester Evening News believes Guardiola’s toughest decision is defence.
He scribed: “It says much about the embarrassment of riches Manchester City have got in midfield that the manager can turn to Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva as two that need some game time.
“With Napoli and Arsenal coming up, competition for places in those games could be fiercer than it has already been this season - that should delight Guardiola as much as it gives him a headache.
“There are alternatives to the first choice defenders but the reserves do not run as deeply as in attack.
“What to do with the centre backs, though?
“John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi have both started 12 of City’s 13 games this season, with the former partnering Eliaquim Mangala in the last league cup game.
“Oleks Zinchenko is expected to be given a chance at left back, and Danilo coming in for Kyle Walker would be sensible.
“Does Guardiola throw caution to the wind and rest both of his big guns, bringing in Tosin Adarabioyo alongside Mangala?
“If not, does Adarabioyo - who City wanted to loan out to the Championship in summer before other happenings put an end to that - warrant a start ahead of Mangala?
“The teamsheet should tell us a lot about how the coach views his options in defence.”
On that subject, the Mirror claim City are interested in signing Lyon defender Mouctar Diakhaby.
An article reads: “City’s director of football Txiki Begiristain and assistant coach Mikel Arteta both went to watch the France under-21 star in action on Thursday, according to The Sun.
“Pep Guardiola is currently without skipper Vincent Kompany, who continues to struggle with injury problems.
“And it seems the City could now be prepared to turn to 6ft 3in Diakhaby as a long term replacement.”
Elsewhere, TeamTalk suggest Guardiola is looking to recruit a Napoli star – possibly on a free transfer.
They argue: “Guardiola will keep a close eye on Faouzi Ghoulam when City meet Napoli again in the Champions League having been impressed with his performance at the Etihad Stadium.
“The Sky Blues are aware that Ghoulam is into the final year of his contract with the Serie A pace-setters, meaning he will be available on a free next summer.
“However, the 26-year-old looks unlikely to sign a new deal with Napoli, meaning they could be forced to cash in on him in January.
“Guardiola will be mindful of the need to restore depth in his squad after Benjamin Mendy recently suffered a long-term injury.
“Ghoulam led a second-half revival Maurizio Sarri’s men on Tuesday night and won a penalty for the visitors following a skilful run.”
