City are still clear favourites

As pleased as I am with yesterday and getting to Wembley yet again there's no doubt City are favourites ahead of the games. In the 3 games we've played against them this season we've won 0, not forgetting the fact we play on the plastic pitch on Thursday in Russia and then have to take to that massive Wembley pitch on Sunday. City have United on the Monday but that's several days extra rest. It's likely we will have to field our strongest possible XI on Thursday and that means Benitez will undoubtedly rest players against Sunderland. Time for Moses, Torres, Marin, Lampard. JT etc to step up.

 

I fear you are right. Strongest eleven v Sunderland may not happen.

Lets hope city game is over in 90 mins with no injuries

 

I suspect that you are correct, DL. With the quality and depth that £ity have, they've got to be favourites.

However, I doubt that that fact will deter Coco, who is sure to play his strongest teams in the cups, and take his chances in the league.

 

He's going have to cope without Cole and Cahill as well!

 

I doubt he will play his strongest team in the Europa, Torres will be upfront for a start!! I think Terry and Lampard will both play Thursday and it'll be pretty much Rafa's favoured 11 for the league game (save for Cole obviously).

At the end of the day, the team he picked should have been capable of beating Southampton but probably not United. We have time to recover in the league and winning trophies has to be a priority too, otherwise we'd just be Arsenal going for the 'top 4 trophy'.

Better to aim high and all that.

 

Your argument has force.

 

We have Micah Richards back in full training today so we should have a full squad to pick from
We haven't conceded a goal against Chelsea home or away or in any round of the FA cup
The extra few days rest should play a big part
Still wouldnt be surprised if we lost though

 

wembley is our 2nd home

 

If Benitez puts our best 11 out in the Europa then we will not get 4th place. That simple.

 

Any XI we put out should be able to beat Sunderland at home, different to Southampton away who genuinely have good players.

 

ah,but remember the new manager factor,alway's makes it dodgy

 

If Oscar, Ivanovic, Azpilicueta and Mikel can start 2 games in 2 days then I am pretty sure Mata, Hazard, Luiz and Ramires can too

Anything to stop Benayoun getting on the pitch and only two players are guaranteed double duty , Cech and Bertrand

Team for Rubin:

Cech, Ivanovic, Luiz, Terry, Bertrand;Lampard, Ramires; Moses, Mata, Hazard; Torres

Team for Sunderland:

Cech, Azpilicueta, Luiz, Cahill/Ivanovic, Bertrand;Ramires, Mikel; Oscar, Mata, Hazard; Ba

Hopefully tonight we get a big win so we can rest a few next week

 

I'd pretty much go along with that except there is little or no chance of a big win tonight going on our performances in this comp so far. I'd take a 1-0 now.