This is perhaps the most difficult lineup to predict so far this season. By all accounts Slaven Bilic is going to pick an attacking side and is going to “go for it”. What does that mean? Two strikers? 4-4-2? 3-5-2? If it’s 4-4-2 does that mean Cresswell moves into the left hand side of midfield ahead of Masuaku, given we have no other left sided players? Could, as SJ Chandos suggested yesterday, Nathan Holland be in line for a first team debut on the right of a four man midfield, with Antonio moving over to the left? Surely not. If we have learned one thing it’s that Antonio needs to be played in his rightful position.
My suspicion is that we will play 3-5-2 with Carroll and Hernandez up front. But if we play three central defenders, who will they be? Personally I’d go with Reid, Ogbonna and Rice, but I suspect James Collins will get the nod over Rice. But if Antonio is to play on the right as a wing back, that leaves no room for Zabaleta. In theory he could play more centrally in place of Obiang.
My head is spinning.
You have until 6.55pm to enter the Predictor League
PS I am unable to go to the game tonight and David Hautzig cannot do his normal match report. Should anyone wish to oblige, do let me know.