We’re another day closer to the Manchester Derby here in the Transfer Tavern and the tension is cranking up with every passing moment.
Both United and City fans here by the bar are in fairly good spirits at the moment but you can bet come Saturday lunch-time that things won’t be anywhere near as jovial, as two of the title favourites lock horns at Old Trafford.
Some City fans are already getting their excuses in.
Without Sergio Aguero they’re not sure how Guardiola can get his side to record a victory and they seem to be more than happy with getting a draw.
This, however, is Pep Guardiola so if anyone can wrangle a victory it’s surely him.
Our landlord thinks they’ve got a real chance regardless of Aguero’s absence and reckons if they go with this line-up three points could be going back with them across Manchester…
Claudio Bravo
Bravo surely has to start doesn’t he? He’s match fit because he’s already played for Barcelona this season and he’s been signed as the number one so it’ll be a shock if Willy Caballero starts.
Plenty of scrutiny will be on the new number one and our landlord can’t wait to see how his ability to pass from the back influences the game.
Pablo Zabaleta
Zabaleta might not be the player he once was but he’s still a dependable right back and will surely get the nod over Bacary Sagna.
The Argentine will be asked to tuck in as all of Guardiola’s full backs have to do so when possession changes over, he’ll have to be quick to reset when Luke Shaw comes flying at him on the counter.
John Stones
This is John Stones’ biggest game so far in his fledgling City career, and it’ll be intriguing to see how he manages to get forward with the ball whilst also not being caught out.
United don’t have the biggest number of pacy players to nick the ball off of him as he gets forward, but should he give it away and Zlatan Ibrahimovic or Wayne Rooney get an extra yard, it could be curtains.
Nicolas Otamendi
It’s a big game for Otamendi to really prove himself.
Vincent Kompany is still out so the former Valencia man needs to put in a top performance to remain in the reckoning once the captain regains fitness.
If he can keep Zlatan Ibrahimovic quiet then City should win the game.
Gael Clichy
Clichy seems to have won the battle over Aleksansar Kolarov for the starting left-back position in Guardiola’s team so should start at the weekend.
Like Zabaleta he’ll be expected to contribute more centrally than we’re accustomed to seeing from full-backs whilst keeping an eye on overlapping United players.
Fernandinho
Fernandinho is at the cornerstone of City’s midfield and has taken up the Xabi Alonso role in Guardiola’s blueprint.
He may not be as good the Spaniard but he’s started well enough this season so there’s no reason why he can’t help launch City’s attacks.
Wayne Rooney will have to stop him finding his rhythm.
Nolito
Nolito has done well in coming straight into the side.
He should start ahead of Jesus Navas because he provides a more consistent presence, he won’t flit out of the game and City can’t afford people to go hiding.
He also carries a bigger goal threat and that’ll be key without Aguero.
David Silva
Silva is key to Guardiola’s game plan.
His passing is arguably the best in City’s team and he’ll be expected to pull the strings in midfield as well as giving Paul Pogba the run about.
When Silva is running on full cylinders few can stop him so City will be hoping for a vintage performance.
Kevin De Bruyne
The big games are where the big players have to perform and De Bruyne is in this bracket.
If he can escape the attention of his compatriot Marouane Fellaini he has the ability to run riot at the weekend and win the game by himself.
One to watch our landlord reckons.
Raheem Sterling
Sterling has been one of the best players for City so far this season and deserves to be one of the first names on the team-sheet.
It’s a remarkable turnaround for a much-maligned player from last year and City fans will be hoping he continues on this path against their biggest rivals.
Kelechi Iheanacho
It’s going to be fascinating how Guardiola deals with no Sergio Aguero for the game, and our landlord thinks he’ll go with a like for like swap with the young Nigerian.
Iheanacho has shown when he does come on he can score but this is arguably his biggest game so far should he start. How he deals with the occasion could be a real marker for the rest of his career.
