Man City Preview

City head off to the Etihad Stadium for the first time ever, with Man City at the top of the table. In fact, when City kick off they will be playing their 3rd game against the top 3, with Arsenal second and Hull third.

Pressers

Past Meetings

I've made a page dedicated to past meetings with some video highlights HERE.

City Team News

Actually I have no idea how City are going to line up but I can't see City going 4-3-3 again. I'm sure Pinnock has been brought in for an occasion such as this to employ 3 centre backs, similar to what Hull are doing. When City havent got the ball (!) this will be effectively a 5-4-1, when we have got the ball (!) it will be up to Awoniyi to hold the ball up and hope that Rudi and Yirenkiyi can get around him and support. This does leave City vunerable on the flanks and we'll be relying on Onyeka (assuming he's fit) and Yirenkiyi's energy, at some point replaced by Hamer, Torp or perhaps Eccles.

Absolute guesswork all this! I'm sure SFL has a masterplan.

If you want to try the new LAST Line Up Builder, you can go HERE. It's very much in beta testing, let me know how it goes. You should have the ability to post your team line up in the comments section below (after a Google sign in) or share the link on social media, whatsapp or download it.

Man City Team News

Where to start? City's total spending in the transfer window is virtually identical to what Man City have spent on one player - Enzo Fernandez. He may well make his debut as may Ndiaye, bought from Everton deadline day for just £65 million.

The good news for us is that Doku and Nunes are still injured, however I'm not sure how much difference thats going to make with their squad.

Player Links

There probably can't be many clubs that City have such a crossover of players with as Man City.

With the obvious example of Stephen Mfuni (who I believe is ineligible to play), the current overlap comes down to Simms and Lati, who were both in Man City's youth set up and Joshua Darius Kamani Wilson-Esbrand who was on loan at City in 22/23. SFL also played for Man City after Chelsea of course.

Going further back there is an array of keepers - Kasper Schmeichel, Keiren Westwood, Perry Suckling, Tim Flowers Ron Healey (RIP) and Márton Fülöp (RIP). There's a couple of 1987 FA Cup heroes in Benno and Dave Phillips and speaking of the FA Cup, Tommy Hutchison who scored in both goals in the 1981 Cup Final for Man City.

Then we have well known names in Stuart Pearce, Darren Huckerby, Craig Bellamy, Colin Hendry, Peter Barnes and Shaun Goater to name but a few.

Peter Bodak also played for both and scored this beauty back in 1982 as City won 3-1 at Maine Road in the 4th round of the FA Cup.

Stats

The good news - Man City haven't kept a clean sheet for 8 matches, we haven't lost to them since March 2002 and haven't lost in the PL to them since March 1993. Ethan Pinnock scored a winner against Man City on the last day of 22/23.

The bad news - Man City haven't lost to a newly promoted side in 30 matches - winning 27 and drawing 3.

Lets leave that there.

LAST Prediction

LAST is never going to back City to lose but this is a tough gig. In some ways it seems harder than Arsenal away which is odd as they are champions. If City can keep it tight and frustrate Man City maybe they could sneak one on the break but ultimately Man City will pile on the pressure and score a late equaliser.

LAST Prediction : 1-1 (ever the optimist)
Huwligan* Prediction: 1-2 (I thought I was optimistic!)
ChatGTP Prediction : 3-0

* "Huwligan" is Huw, 7 1/2 year old son of Greg "Sweet of the Match" from LAST 1.0. More to come from him, believe me!

Spotify Playlist

Stu Court's playlist for Man City (a) is here. Cheers Stu!

For an alternative match preview, check out EthanCF's:

For a Man City view: