Celtic preview (early)

Ok, I have my day off and can catch up with my blogging before returning back to work on Monday. I think we will see a high pressing, first team with lots of pace for Celtic. They will look to replicate their performance of Parkhead, attack from the start, score early and put City under pressure. I think it'll be a good game. I don't think City will play a first team. Fernandinho is suspended, Aguero looked shaky from the Chelsea game with his heel, Kompany out, Yaya not registered and no one knows the fitness level of Delph. He may appear though. We could see some youngsters too. This is another battle of Britain. The game means nothing but neither will want to lose. City are the home side, they have beaten Barcelona and Monchengladbach at home this season in the Champions League. I will be disappointed with anything other than 3 points. I can accept a draw, but I won't be happy. 

Sinclair and Griffiths are key to Celtic's attack, I think they will play. Kolo Toure played well against City at Parkhead too. City will look to utilise their home advantage, pitch size and stretch Celtic. Celtic play direct, pressing football when they are the underdog. I think if City can go in at half time without conceding then Celtic could tire. They won't see a lot of the ball and will be chasing. I think if City can score first then all pressure is off them. Are Celtic going to come back? They are capable of doing so and therefore City need to give 100% and be on their game. I'm going for 4-0 City (same as the Monchengladbach home game score). I want a response to the Chelsea defeat and with upcoming suspensions, the rotation players and playing for starts. 

I hope Caballero starts in goal but I think Bravo will. Any one of Zabaleta, Sagna or Maffeo could play in defence. I'd like to see Maffeo. He played so well against United in the cup. Rest Zaba and Sagna, let them rest. Why risk more injuries with lots of games coming up. This matches has no meaning other than pride. It's the same with the LB situation, why risk Kolarov and Clichy when Angelino can play. We've hardly seen him. I think Clichy will start at LB, Zaba at RB, Otamendi at CB (he's suspended for Leicester so he can play this game) and we could see Sagna, Zaba, Clichy, Kolarov, Stones or Adarbioyo partner him. I think it will be Kolarov, Pep likes him. Fernando at DM, Gundogan ahead and we could see Delph, Garcia, even Sane, Nolito or Sterling in the centre. I'd go with Sterling on the right win, Sane on the left and use Navas as the sub and maybe use Garcia (Delph if he is fit to start) and Gundogan at CM. Yaya isn't registered, he'll start away at Leicester next Saturday. Iheanacho could lead the line, Aguero too. He's not suspended for this game so he might start but why risk the injury? I'd let Iheanacho get some match sharpness.  

Team prediction -

Bravo, Zabaleta, Otamendi, Kolarov, Clichy, Fernando, Garcia, Gundogan, Sterling, Sane, Iheanacho.