Chance for a rest, some fresh faces and a change of formation?

Could be! 

 

I’m going for a bold-prediction, new-look team for our visit to the Ukraine on Wednesday night...a game that will finish local time around 11:35pm!

v Shakhtar Donetsk

Metalist Oblast Sports Complex

Fluid 4-6-0:

_____________________________________________

____________________Diaz_____________________

Sane__________________________________Sterling

________Gundogan___Foden____B. Silva_________

____________________Toure____________________

Zinchenko______________________________Danilo

____________Mangala_____Adarbioyo___________

____________________Bravo___________________

Subs: Ederson, Delph, Walker, Otamendi, Fernandinho, D. Silva, Jesus.

Notable absences: Vincent Kompany (not selected / rested / protected), John Stones (injured for about another 3-½ weeks), Benjamin Mendy (continues his rehab following injury/surgery), Kevin De Bruyne (suspended for this game) & Sergio Aguero (not selected / rested).

Do I agree with Pep’s (predicted) line-up?

Well this might be a little bit of a “fun” suggestion from me…but if I was Pep I’d certainly consider it for our meaningless game.

Result? Of course, the home side are going to really go for it to secure 2^nd place in the qualifying group and with a win for Napoli over bottom side Feyenoord likely, they will need to avoid defeat. With us playing a virtual ‘2^nd 11’, if I’m right of course, this’ll be a toughie.

But do you know what, looking at that side it really is quite decent! Tough to break down, I’d say, with PLENTY of players that can hurt ‘the oppo’.

If I am right with my predicted starting 11; all things considered I think it’ll be a draw. And If I am right with my predicted starting 11, we’ll have a fresh-legged, ‘first 11’ and strong bench going into the Trafford v Manchester derby…

Expected weather conditions during the game: An Easterly breeze with temperatures of around 0 to 1C that’ll bring light sleet & snow throughout the game.