Nothing to fear imho - They have a mid week game to contend with this week and after that opening day we should be bang up for it. Free swing this weekend and even a point away at City would be a huge step in the right direction. Basically bar an absolute battering by 4/5 it's a game you don't expect anything out of anyway.
Got to say looking at City's squad this year it looks a little "light" in midfield and up top, probably why they are being linked with Paqueta et al but they could struggle with 3 games this week. Alvarez and Haarland are their ONLY out and out strikers and both started at the weekend, then past their starting midfield (Rodri, Bernardo (inj), KDB(inj), Foden, Grealish) they have Kovacic, Phillips, Morone and Palmer. That's 11 players covering 6 positions (if you assume a defender steps into CM in their 3-2-4-1 formation) so not even 2 options per space without the injuries. Sounds like Bernardo isn't fit enough for the Super Cup and while I'm not sure they will be overly worried about it, but if they have to rotate their squad they won't win vs Sevilla and if they do play a decent team they will be knackered vs us on Saturday night. City reserves vs Sevilla? (those who didn't start vs Burnley and aren't injured) Ortega (GK), Cancello, Gomes, Laporte, Gvardiol, Phillips, Perrone, Palmer, Grealish, midfielder, striker *Haven't included Kovacic who replaced KDB early on Friday night. Not saying that will be their team but they haven't really got many options according to their own website: https://www.mancity.com/players/mens
Ref Rob Jones (from Liverpool but an Everton Fan- last reffed us v Brighton at home) Assistant referees: Ian Hussin and Adrian Holmes Fourth official: Darren Bond VAR: Jarred Gillett (Lives in Liverpool but from Oz - funny as his last game involving us, was Var ref V Brighton at home as well as ref above) Assistant VAR: Eddie Smart
De Bruyne out for 4 months - potentially not match fit for the second game as well as out for this game
Strangely I would have preferred him to be fit so that we could benchmark exactly where we are in terms of progress.
I hope they all get stranded abroad following their midweek game and we beat the U19's 7-0. Afterwards we can hold up a sign saying "Benchmark THAT" if it makes you happy.
This is the perfect time for this game imo. KDB out, they have lost Gundogan start of the season, they are playing mid week and we were on top form in the 1st game. We are still the underdogs of course but definitely a punchers chance and if we turn them over in their own place its a big statement to let then know we are coming for what they have got
