A few selection decisions to be made by Ange for the game on Monday.
Hart will start in goals.
At right back - Juranovic was on the bench the other night. So presumably he’s fit and able to play on Monday. Hatate was good there against St Johnstone but I thought he looked a little shaky for the opening spell against Hibs. Though as a team we didn’t start brilliantly. Not sure if Ralston will still be injured and doubt Johnston will be asked to make his debut there, now that Juranovic is back.
The centre backs will be CCV and Starfelt. Taylor should be left back - though he went off with a knock the other night. Assuming he’s fine but Bernabei will be a straight swap if not.
Midfield is interesting. If Hatate is freed up from right back then we’d normally see McGregor, Hatate, O’Riley but Mooy was outstanding against Hibs and may have played himself into the team. O’Riley is the player contributing least from the others at the moment but I don’t really see him being dropped. Mooy may just be unlucky.
Can’t see anything other than Kyogo starting through the middle but we have options either side. Maeda has probably played himself into the team with his performance against Hibs - that might leave Jota out of things who hasn’t been brilliant since the break. Abada has probably been the best player to start with Maeda (so he’d go left with Maeda on the right). Haksabanovic had an untimely injury so won’t get to force his way in.
So we might go:
Hart
Juranovic
Carter Vickers
Starfelt
Taylor
McGregor
O’Riley
Hatate
Abada
Kyogo
Maeda
Jota, Giakoumakis, Haksabanovic, Forrest, Mooy making up a very strong bench with Turnbull and some defensive cover.
I think a minute applause for Pele should segue into a minute silence for the late Pontiff. It would be a powerful fusion of celebration and solemnity.
Did Turnbull only get a 1 game ban or is he out for Monday too? I think Juranovic will come back in alright and Mooy might be unlucky to miss out with Hatate restored to midfield. I’d have a slight preference for Jota over Abada out wide.
Yeah I’d be loathe to leave Jota out. But he definitely has been a little behind Abada and Maeda (and maybe even Forrest) form wise since the break. But I’m sure they’d be happy to see him missing out.
Press conference today - Juranovic and Taylor are fit and available. Haksabanovic and Ralston are injured and will miss out.
