Blackpool v MAN CITY – Tough Away Trip or Easy Banker?

There’s nothing like a trip to the seaside to provide a breath of fresh air, so Man City’s fixture away at Blackpool offers the Blues a chance to dispel any lingering doubts or negativity about their capabilities and to continue their impressive start to the season.

However, any such thoughts of optimism and happiness must be tempered by the saddening news of the death of former City manager, assistant manager and all-time great, Malcolm Allison. Unfortunately, I wasn’t around during his time in charge, but I know what an effect he had on those around him. Let’s hope that the memory of Allison can inspire the current crop of players, not only against Blackpool, but throughout the rest of this season and all forthcoming ones.

Returning our focus to this game, and it’s sure to be an interesting fixture, with Blackpool’s home form decidedly dodgy. Their performances on the road have been nothing short of first class, with victories over Liverpool, Wigan and Newcastle, but their form at Bloomfield Road has been at the other end of the scale, failing to register a win and losing last time out to Blackburn. That in itself should provide the Blues with enough motivation to keep the run going. Blackpool are further hampered by the absence of their inspirational manager Ian Holloway who faces a touchline ban for his behaviour in his side’s previous encounter.

As for City, despite being lambasted by the media virtually on a daily basis, they lie in second place in the Premier League table, ahead of local rivals Manchester United. City have recorded three successive victories in this competition, the most recent one being the controversial Newcastle match, and must continue this good run to keep up the pressure on leaders Chelsea.

With regards to teamnews, it’s a fairly mixed bag for my good friend Roberto Mancini. He is able to call upon the services of  Wayne Bridge after the left back recovered from his injury, whilst Pablo Zabaleta and Micah Richards are both available after sitting out the Newcastle fixture. Unfortunately, summer signing Aleksandar Kolarov has had a setback in his efforts to return and is still sidelined, as is fellow recent arrival Mario Balotelli, who hopes to be fit for the Arsenal game.

This is the team I would expect Mancini to play.

                                                             Hart

Boateng                     K. Touré                   Kompany                   Lescott

                Y. Touré                      de Jong                         Barry

Silva                                                                                                       Milner

                                                         Tévez

Subs: Given, Zabaleta, Richards, Bridge, SWP, Johnson, Adebayor

Key Battle

Charlie Adam v Nigel de Jong

De Jong, as pointed out by Mancini, will be a marked man for the rest of this season. After a hard, but ultimately fair challenge that unfortunately broke Hatem Ben Arfa’s leg (more of which can be read here) referees will be quick to seize upon anything the Dutchman does, so it’s imperative for him to be more aware of the way he is now perceived. Adam is the playmaker of the Blackpool side, orchestrating the game from the midfield of the park, with his impressive passing ability and cultured left foot.

Referee: Phil Dowd - A competent ref, but one who is prone to wilting under pressure. If the home crowd are vocal enough against de Jong, expect Dowd to dish out the dirt.

Prediction: Blackpool 1 - 3 MAN CITY – I have a feeling this will be an open game, full of chances, but I’d back our quality to shine through. Goals to be scored by Luke Varney, David Silva and a brace from captain Carlos Tévez.