View From A Blue

After the comfortable victory at home to West Ham last time out, it would be a surprise if there were too many changes for this encounter. Vincent Kompany and Gael Clichy both remain sidelined at the back, so the defence is set to be unchanged, with Fernandinho and Fernando battling for one role in central [...]

Vincent Kompany could well be sidelined for the rest of the season with the injury he suffered in last weekend’s Manchester derby, so Martin Demichelis and Eliaquim Mangala look set for a spell together at the heart of defence. Aleks Kolarov should play in Gael Clichy’s absence. David Silva is 8/1 to score the opening [...]

Pablo Zabaleta should return to the defence in place of Bacary Sagna after sitting out the defeat to Crystal Palace, whilst Vincent Kompany is expected to be risked even though he is battling a slightly hamstring injury. If the captain is forced out, then Eliaquim Mangala will step in to the side. James Milner is [...]

Pablo Zabaleta’s newfound parenthood, with son Asier born on Saturday, may keep him out of this encounter. If that were to be the case, then Bacary Sagna would step in to the side. Eliaquim Mangala is expected to feature alongside Vincent Kompany, with Gael Clichy edging out Aleks Kolarov on the left. There is definitely [...]

Pablo Zabaleta is expected to fight off competition from Bacary Sagna on the right of defence, but he’ll need to cut out the moments of rash indiscipline that have crept into his game recently. Eliaquim Mangala and Martin Demichelis are vying for a role at the back, though surely the latter’s form this season and [...]