The Pre-Match Preamble – Gameweek Thirty One

You know how it is. You’re a multi-millionaire footballer, paid six figures a week to do magic things with your feet. So, when you get one trapped whilst playing on a child’s bike, you naturally decide to treat the unfortunate scrape with that spray you got from Boots. Okay, so the foot is burning and starting to look like bubble wrap but I’m sure if we just keep on spraying, everything will be fine.

We’ve all been there. Surely it’s a bit harsh to brandish such an act as “stupid”. Come on Roberto, you’ll be saying you don’t trust Mario Balotelli next.

Take some deep breaths. You need a nice walk to calm you down. Enjoy a pleasant stroll with us Fantasy managers while we pick the bones out of the morning’s predicted lineups…

Not surprisingly, Sergio and his chemically cindered foot are missing from this morning’s speculative starting lineups. Indeed, it’s arguably Roberto Mancini’s solution to Aguero’s antics and his misguided Mario that’s the most interesting item on the agenda in a Gameweek that otherwise, seems pretty cut and dry.

We’re half expecting Mancini to turn to Carlos Tevez to plug the gap and help revive the dozing City title challenge. With Sunderland at the Etihad, Mancini will surely be expecting to have to break down a well-drilled resistance from a Martin O’Neill 4-5-1 which will look to strangle the weaving of David Silva and Samir Nasri and outmuscle the raids of Yaya Toure.

The Ivorian could be the key figure – hence Toure’s inclusion in this week’s Scout Picks. Mancini may be forced into a 4-5-1 if he’s reluctant to throw Balotelli in the mix again. Toure will likely be the attacking force from midfield charged with supporting lone striker Edin Dzeko if that does prove to be the case.

However, the press, in the majority, go with a pairing of Dzeko and Balotelli – only the Independent and the Times are brave enough to predict that the City boss will put faith in a 4-5-1, leaving both Balotelli and Tevez benched. The Argentine fails to get a look-in across the board this morning, with the press boys showing understandable caution on his chances of earning a first start following his return to the fold.

Our predicted lineup goes along with that view but the introduction of Tevez for either Dzeko or Balotelli looks highly likely, particularly if the Black Cat’s resistance proves resolute. Tevez can do damage in twenty minutes – and with Aguero and Baltotelli causing a frown to scrawl across the distinguished brow, the script is written for Carlos to bring the smile back to the face of Mancini.

Elsewhere, we look pretty settled. Some holding the talents of Ashley Young will be nervous come Monday night’s United teamsheet, but we’d expect to see his name along with Antonio Valencia’s, on Sir Alex’s latest lineup. Off this morning’s papers, only the Telegraph dare suggest that Danny Welbeck will be shifted left with Young left twiddling on the Ewood timber.

Concerns are few and far between for most, then – a rarity. My only dilemma is arguably a good one to have – do I bench Ryo Miyaichi or opt for Gylfi Sigurdsson at the Lane. My head says that Sigurdsson has it in him to punish a benching, although having lost every home game in 2012, Ryo is surely in line to torment the Wovles defence. The luxury of two decent budget buys vying for the last spot in the side – it’s a pain in the neck. Maybe that spray under the sink will help?