With tomorrow’s crunch Europa League second round qualifier against Croatian side Osijek firmly upon us, much speculation has surfaced about the XI manager Steven Gerrard is likely to select for the first leg in the Balkan region.
As we know, defender Lee Hodson was omitted from the squad in advance of a likely contractual termination, while Jordan Rossiter misses out through injury.
Furthermore, new signings Lassana Coulibaly and Umar Sadiq are both included for the trip, while attacker Josh Windass is heavily linked with a move out, but makes the squad nevertheless.
As such, what XI is the manager likely to opt for?
A key change is likely to be up front. Alfredo Morelos has been evidently sub-par so far this season, but we suspect Gerrard would be loathe to dispense with his star striker, and rather than drop him, change the formation or give him more support – we sense Umar Sadiq will play behind him or as a duo in a pairing up top.
We also reckon the man to make way will be Josh Windass, while Daniel Candeias will re-take his right wing slot.
Scott Arfield is touch and go, and if he doesn’t manage to be fit in time Ryan Kent may well start in his place assuming international clearance came through.
Last but not least we would envisage another debut, this time for Lassana Coulibaly, either instead of Ross McCrorie or as a duo in holding midfield.
The displays recently have not been convincing and Gerrard may look to his increasing resources to find something more suitable.
So, your Ibrox Noise predicted XI:
McGregor; Tavernier, Goldson, Katic, Flanagan; Coulibaly; Murphy, Kent, Sadiq, Candeias; Morelos
We don’t know if this has enough to overcome what is a pretty impressive Osijek, but we can only hope.
No chance will that be the team going into an away game. You have 2 strikers, 3 wingers and 1 central midfield player, with 3 guys going straight into the team having never played.
My prediction is McGregor, Tavernier, Goldon, Katic, Flanagan, Coulibaly, McCrorie, Windass, Murphy, Candeias, Morelos
with Ojaria and Middleton coming on at some point and maybe another change depending on injuries and how the match is going.
No way will he play that team in away game in Europe"" jack will be in midfield with coulibalay atleast" can't go with 3 widemen in midfield
Wtf sort of team is that ?
Firstly, Sadiq didn’t travel as he isn’t match fit. Secondly, where th fuck is midfield ? If Arfield doesn’t make it then sire as shite Jack and McCrorie will start. Coulabily May well join them in a midfield trio
Up top will be Murphy Morelos and Candeias
Do it’s 4-3-3 for me becoming 4-5-1 when we don’t have the ball.
Alternatively we may see Windass in there in the usual 4-2-3-1 formation but my feeling is we’ll want an extra body in CM in the away leg
Sadiq not traveled with team
I like Ibrox noise articles but your team predictions are always ridiculous! 3 wingers? Kent playing CM? Crazy! Kent won't play…Jack will! McGregor, Tav, goldson, katic, Flanagan, mcrorie, jack, coulibaly (if fit, if not ejaria) Murphy, candieas or windass, Morelos!
Hi Stevie, no, we had it as 4-1-4-1 with Kent LW, Candeias RW and Sadiq and Murphy central. We didn’t know Sadiq didn’t travel though. Jack will start.
Ah fair enough, I didn't pick up on that. Jack would be starting no matter what tho, we won't go all out attack on 1st leg away from home. If we could rely on windass to work then he could have been an option for up front but it will be Morelos!
Umar Sadiq wasn't on the plane.
4-5-1
McGregor
Tav
Goldson
Katic
Flanagan
Candeias
McCrorie
Coulibaly
Ojaria
Murphy
Morelos
Don't think Sadiq has travelled , think it be greegs tav goldson katic, flanagan mcrorie Jack coulibaly Murphy Windass morales
sadiq hasn’t travelled with the squad
It will be:
Sha gger Tav Goldson Katic Flanagan McCrorie Jack Candeais Murphy Windass Morelos
No way will Kent start and I doubt Coulibaly either
Morelos? Star-striker??? What is it with Morelos?>>> Plays shite, never gets benched. Can't finish, but OH we'll just carry on, playing him anyway??? I just don't get it? What planet are you on, to call Morelos a "star striker" ?? Star FLOP, mair like. Sort yer lives out, IN.
Joe, we’re no fans of Morelos but we proposed this team from SG’s point of view, not our own. And he sees him that way whatever we think.
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