Continuing on last week’s theme of our Saturday morning stroll, here’s another preamble through the morning papers with some key selection posers in mind.

Will Didier Drogba stretch his legs against Stoke? Will the return of Wilson Palacios shift Gareth Bale in the Spurs lineup? And will Robin Van Persie start in front of one of the best strikers in the World? Mmmm…

Will Van Persie start over Nicklas Bendtner?

Arsene Wenger has, to this point, protected Robin Van Persie, keeping him on the bench at Spurs and Wigan – two games that Arsenal have lost. Surely enough is enough and against City Wenger will unleash him? I’m not so sure. He has Nicklas Bendtner of course who is, apparently, one of the best strikers in the world.

The Sun – Yes. Van Persie is flanked by Walcott and Nasri with no sign of Bendtner.
The Telegraph – No. They have Bendtner and Van Persie both starting in a front two, indicating that Wenger will abandon his usual 4-3-3 shape.
The Times – No. Van Persie starts but so does Bendtner, flanking from the right with Nasri on the left.
The Guardian – No. Van Perise isn’t in the starting lineup so Bendtner leads the attack with Rosicky and Walcott flanking.

I say: Personally, I’ve a theory that if Wenger had faith in Van Persie’s fitness, he would have brought him on earlier at Wigan last time out to give him some pitch time. The fact that he chose to protect him until the death in that game, indicated to me that there is still some doubts over his ability to be considered for the starting lineup. I suspect he will feature from the bench again this weekend.

Will Carlo Ancelotti go with Didier Drogba in his starting lineup?

All week there’s been rumour that Drogba’s World Cup is in the balance. Carlo Ancelotti has calmed these fears by reporting that his striker has trained all week. Surely then he will start against Stoke?

The Sun – Yes. Anelka gets shifted to the right with Malouda on the left flank.
The Telegraph – Yes. Again Anelka keeps his place and again the Telegraph appear to have tweaked Chelsea’s formation. They seem to think that Ballack will push up behind a front two of Anelka and Drogba.
The Times – Yes. As above it’s Anelka and Malouda flanking the Ivorian.
The Guardian – No. The Guardian go against the grain and have Anelka starting as a lone striker with Malouda flanking him and Lampard in support.

I say: Yeah. Drogba must surely start but I’m wondering whether we will see Anelka kept on the bench to replace him. The suggestion that Zhirkov could start in midfield just compounded that theory for me.

Will Gareth Bale start on the left-wing?

Surely Redknapp will keep his lineup intact? They’ve won seven of the last eight and Gareth Bale has been electric. The availability of Wilson Palacios after suspension and the threat of Nani on the left-flank are the factors that could change matters. Will Redknapp leave Palacios out? If he doesn’t then Bale could well find himself at left-back. We should also remember that this is his favoured position.

The Sun – Yes. Redknapp keeps him in midfield and starts Assou-Ekotto behind him at left-back. Younes Kaboul is at right-back. There’s no place for Palacios.
The Telegraph – Yes. Like the Sun they have Assou-Ekotto at left-back and Kaboul on the right. Palacios starts with Modric shifting to the right-wing.
The Times – Yes. The Times agree that Redknapp will keep Bale in midfield with Assou-Ekotto and Kaboul at full-back. Bentley starts so there’s no place for Palacios.
The Guardian – Yes. Four out of four for Bale who stays in midfield. Again Redknapp keeps faith with Assou-Ekotto and Kaboul. Bentley starts over Palacios.

I say: I don’t agree. I think Wilson Palacios is too vital to Tottenham and Redknapp will bring him straight back into the side. That will mean that Luka Modric will have to shift and I see him going to the left flank allowing Assou-Ekotto to go to right-back and Bale to left. I think that Redknapp will see Nani as a threat and won’t risk the size of Kaboul up against the fleet-footed Nani.