1 Ab Fab
Fabian Delph has not only proved a more than adequate deputy for the injured Benjamin Mendy, he is ranked at #2 in Europe’s top wing-backs list based on his performances this season.
It’s testament to his hard work and focus that he is more than holding his own against the likes of Eden Hazard, Marcus Rashford, Mohamed Salah and Alexis Sanchez – none of whom have got the better of their duels with the Yorkshireman.
After being plagued by injury since joining City, at last Delph is having a prolonged run in the first-team where he has been one of the most consistent performers this season.
He won’t be happy with the way United equalised on Sunday, but it was a rare occasion when he wasn’t able to clear his lines and with the consistency he has shown this season, his account is very much in credit.
2 Rotation for Swansea?
With Tottenham visiting the Etihad next weekend and with the energy and emotion used in the 2-1 win over United on Sunday, it seems likely Pep Guardiola will rest one or two players for the game in South Wales.
Sergio Aguero will be champing at the bit to start and Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva will be in with a shout if the boss rests either David Silva or Kevin De Bruyne.
It will be interesting to see who starts – though the Blues will be keen to ensure there are no slip-ups against Paul Clement’s team.
3 Mangala’s key role
Eliaquim Mangala knew first team opportunities would be limited this season if Vincent Kompany, John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi stayed fit.
However, the skipper’s wretched luck has struck again, and Stones is perhaps still a few weeks from returning so Mangala will get plenty of game-time over the busy festive period.
Mangala was brought on in the tinderbox atmosphere of Sunday’s Manchester derby with 30 minutes or so remaining.
Not only did he have to immediately settle in, he was facing Romelu Lukaku, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial – and he was excellent.
One superb tackle in the box denied Lukaku and it was his clearance after Ederson’s wonder-double save that prevented the Reds levelling.
Mangala needs a run of games to find his best form, but who could forget his debut against Chelsea when he dominated Diego Costa a couple of years back?
If he can hit anywhere near that level of performance in the coming weeks, he will more than plug the gap left by Kompany and Stones.
4 Banana skin alert?
Swansea are in 19th position in the Premier League and fighting for their top-flight lives.
They are a neat and tidy footballing side who are easy on the eye and want to entertain – so don’t expect them to defend in the kind of numbers the Blues have regularly faced over the past month.
The Swans beat West Brom at the weekend and Wilfried Bony scored his second goal in two games in the process.
The Ivorian didn’t enjoy the best of times with the Blues, but if he can hit anywhere near the form he showed during his first spell with Swansea, he will be a handful on Wednesday evening.
This game could be tight and will be another test for Guardiola’s men who are looking for a tenth straight Premier League win on the road and a record 15th win in succession.
