As Per Usual

Happy Friday.

One of the tricky fixtures of the season wait us as we travel to the home of the Champions.

On the surface you'd would have to say that City are favourites, they have the strength in depth that teams can only dream of. Samir Nasri will miss the game after injuring his hamstring midweek but still will have most options available.

One of the things that I don't think teams like City & Arsenal don't get credit for is the ability to play abroad midweek but still be competitive the same weekend, we've seen teams in the Europa League suffer as a consequence.

Team selection and I can't make a case for the re-introduction of Laurent Koscielny. Per Mertesacker and Thomas Vermaelen have been 99% brilliant this season (I have deducted 1% for Per falling over and the pen against Montpellier). Abou Diaby should retain his place if fit.

The only question is Olivier Giroud, personally I stick with him as a focal point for others to play off, City will not defend as loosely as Southampton and have more mobility on the flanks so Gervinho and Podolski are better off feeding from Giroud.

Prediction: don't normally do them but I feel confident we'll get something.
Damn you Arsenal for this, look at what you've done.