WBA v MAN CITY: PREVIEW – What Is Your Prediction?
22 Sep
The Carling Cup. Without doubt City’s best chance of a trophy this season. Despite being made favourites for the Europa League by many bookmakers, seemingly unaware of our penchant for disaster, and with the Champions League rejects still to appear, it seems a remote possibility, even to the most optimistic of Blues’ fanatics, that Carlos Tévez will be lifting the trophy at the Aviva Stadium. In my opinion, humble as it is, the Carling Cup represents the perfect opportunity for City to break the agonising wait for success. Many of the other ‘big clubs’ take this competition lightly, and whilst my good friend Roberto Mancini may well do the same, the quality and strength in depth of our squad should see us reach the latter stages of the competition.
But first we must conquer the ever mercurial West Brom. Managed by former Chelsea midfielder, and scorer of the fastest FA Cup goal, Roberto Di Matteo, the newly promoted team play a brand of attacking, easy on the eye football. They have a number of creative and dangerous players, namely Graham Dorrans and Chris Brunt, who try and orchestrate the game from the centre of the park, whilst in Ishmael ‘Ishy mumu’ Miller, they possess a graduate of City’s academy, a powerful striker brimming with pace and strength.
As previously stated, Mancini is likely to use this match to hand starts to the fringe players of his squad, the likes of Dedryck Boyata, Patrick Vieira and Jo. Despite talk during the past couple days of him leaving, there may be a first start of the season for Irish goalkeeper Shay Given, but German international Jerome Boateng is still sidelined, as are fellow defenders, Joelon Lescott and Wayne Bridge. Adam Johnson may be recalled after being left out of the win away at Wigan, whilst Yaya Touré could be handed a rest. Emmanuel Adebayor, who reportedly had a fiery ‘discussion’ with Mancini a fortnight ago, has recovered from his thigh injury and will start the game.
This would be the team I would select, although Mancini will no doubt view matters differently:
Given
Zabaleta Boyata K. Touré Cunningham
Vieira Barry
SWP Silva A. Johnson
Adebayor
Subs: Hart, Richards, Kompany, De Jong, Y. Touré, Milner, Tévez
Prediction: WBA 1 – 3 MAN CITY - Both sides are expected to rest a number of first team regulars, so this promises to be an open affair, full of exciting football and chances. I’d expect City to prevail on account of our extra quality, with goals to be scored Emmanuel Adebayor, David Silva, SWP and Peter Odemwingie.
Nice to read thisblog which I must say is a nice length to read
I do however have one complaint, and that is the lack of key battles! Im intrigued by your starting XI….has Mancini said 100% that Mani will start the game and what is this fiery discussion they had? Is it about how he wants to leave or…?
I think it will be much closer than people imagine with City winning 1-0 and the only goal of the game to be scored by Jo
I’ve saved this website in my favourites
I’m a big fan! keep up the good work and i’ll look forward to slating your review with my oposite opinions 
Odemwingie is a great name!
It’s interesting that you see this as our greatest chance of a trophy… I suppose I agree with you, but I really don’t think we’re ready to win silverware this season yet – I watched most of the arsenal spurs match yesterday, and the gunners looked very very good, plus Wenger has come out saying that he’s taking it seriously this year… Then we all know that once we reach the latter stages of the cup the big teams start to turn it on – although it pains me to say it, look at the rags last year in the semis.
But I agree that we should win this match comfortably.
The only grammatical point I have is that I don’t see the purpose of the apostrophe after ‘Blues”. As your name suggests, any supporter of city is a blue, it is not just the team who are blues, therefore the apostrophe isn’t necessary in my opinion.
I hope Given starts, I feel sorry for him this year, he hasn’t done anything wrong!
Thanks both of you for your comments! Plattsy, I was debating that very issue whilst writing, opted to include the apostrophe, all in the knowledge that you would provide the insight if it was wrong
Ched, Bobby Manc has said that Manu will start the game. The ‘discussion’ they had was about Manu’s recovery from his thing injury. Ade felt he could have returned earlier, but Mancini said no, no, no.
To be honest, I enjoy writing the previews much more so than the reviews, so I’m pleased you find this a great length! Although, if as you suggest, I were to include key battles, it would only make the article longer?!?!? Also, key battles take the most time, with regards to layout and presentation.
And Ched, you’ll be lucky to get a review! I’m out tonight, so will only be able to catch highlights
My hall only has sky sports 1 as well, but city chelsea is on 2, so will have to make my first foray into town to find somehwere to watch it!! Hope you’re having a great time 
It could be an interesting one. Brom away is never going to be the easiest fixture – similar to what we have experienced in the past at the JJB/DW.
It’s a shame it’s not next week as i may have had a wander down the road ….
A win, although I fear Jo will score