Match Day Thread Manchester City FC v Sunderland AFC - Saturday 6th December 2025 - KO 15:00

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Your Prediction:

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alcoauth said:
What it could look like with Xhaka and Sadiki rested:

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I don't see it happening, at all. It's basically saying "we don't think we're good enough for these so may as well rest our best players" - I just don't see RLB thinking like that, and I'd be disappointed if he did.

Xhaka and Sadiki are smart lads, they've both avoided a card for the last 3 league matches in a row. They know what they're doing.

I'd much rather have Xhaka and Sadiki playing, knowing that they might not necessarily dive into a risky 50/50, and if someone is through on goal they won't pull him back to "take one for the team", than to not have them playing at all.
 
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Again for me this game is more about the attitude of the team and the mentality we approach this game with rather than the result. As a squad I think we are greater than the sum of our parts, and as with the Liverpool game I am excited to see how we perform against one of the best teams in Europe.
My prediction for what it’s worth is a very tight 2-2 draw with us going ahead 1-2 and being pegged back late on.
IMO Pep is the best manager of his generation, but RLB is of a new breed, and I think it is going to be great seeing them go head to head tactically
 
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David Moyes' Stupid Face said:
I don't see it happening, at all. It's basically saying "we don't think we're good enough for these so may as well rest our best players" - I just don't see RLB thinking like that, and I'd be disappointed if he did.

Xhaka and Sadiki are smart lads, they've both avoided a card for the last 3 league matches in a row. They know what they're doing.

I'd much rather have Xhaka and Sadiki playing, knowing that they might not necessarily dive into a risky 50/50, and if someone is through on goal they won't pull him back to "take one for the team", than to not have them playing at all.
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As previously stated, I don't think it's Reggie's style either, but players can get booked for nowt these days, if we were to go into the derby missing one of these (two doesn't bear thinking about) it's a massive blow and really opens up a narrative for them to win the midfield battle. The derby is only three points but it's so much more in terms of the peripheral benefits that can reverberate around the club. Again, I don't think it's Reggie's style as he seems to be very much a pragmatist rather than a romanticist but I think the option of resting the players is worth discussing.
 
City may rest a few with big game midweek. I would completely rest Xhaka and Sidiqi. Next week is too important.

What I know is, City may score 5 like they did against Fulham (they could score at will in a lot of games) but we won't be 'scared' of going there. Give them a game. I'll take a point now.

From memory (not great) I don't recall getting a beating down there, more of points we've given away.

Thanks RTB for another matchday thread.
 
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Interesting who Pep will pick for this game, given they play Real Madrid next week. He has previous at resting players before a big European game. That said, his 2nd eleven are pretty clever as well. But I do think all his absolute first eleven won't play tomorrow
 
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flandersmackem said:
Interesting who Pep will pick for this game, given they play Real Madrid next week. He has previous at resting players before a big European game. That said, his 2nd eleven are pretty clever as well. But I do think all his absolute first eleven won't play tomorrow
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Haaland n Foden have looked leggy recently. Be nice to give them a rest <laugh>
 
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Thanks once again @RTB for the informative thread.

Im looking forward this game tomorrow. It will be a hell of a test for the lads but we've shown all season that we're up for the fight against the big boys of the Premiership.

Im going for a tight 1-1 or a 2-1 win for our warriors.

HTL & FTM
 
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Time to take Cirkin and Hjelde off the injured list. Diarra too I'd say.
 
HoratioCarter said:
Play your best team every game and go for 3 points. If they are carded and miss the derby we can still beat the scum
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Xhaka must play in the derby, Sadiki too tbh. Their midfield would have a field day against the other lads we’d bring in with those 2 missing.
 
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