City sit in third in the U18 Premier League with eleven points and will be looking to end the season on a high.
Nathaniel Ogbeta v Glen McAuley
One of the U16s stars to have stepped up in recent weeks, Ogbeta is in fine form for Lee Carsley’s side. A composed and classy central defender capable of driving forward into empty midfield spaces, Ogbeta could become a star during the 2017/18 season.
It’s sure to be a true test of Ogbeta’s skills on Saturday when he comes up against the lethal McAuley. The 17-year-old Irish attacker has found the net 17 times in 26 U18 Premier League appearances this season including a strike in City’s first defeat of the season in March.
Rabbi Matondo v George Johnston
One of the real positives of the Merit Group A stage has been the form of Ogbeta, Taylor Richards and lightning quick winger Rabbi Matondo. Equally capable of beating his man on the outside or cutting inside an influencing play from an outside right position, Matondo has been hard to track for both Reading and Blackburn defences.
That’s why, although Manchester-born Johnston is primarily a centre-back, he will no doubt come into contact with Matondo during the encounter. If Matondo can find a way around the Liverpool defender he is likely to open up the pitch.
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