MAN CITY v Blackpool – THE PREVIEW – Teamnews and Prediction
31 Dec
What better way to welcome in the new year than with a home match against the Premier League’s entertainers, Blackpool. Fresh from a 4-0 thumping of Aston Villa, Man City play host to the Seasiders who, in their debut season in this league, have been a breath of fresh air, playing the sort of football fans enjoy and with a manager who continues to entertain.
Both sides come into this fixture with an impressive run of form behind them, although City have the momentum in this fixture, having won the past six matches at home. More so than normal, the first goal will be crucial, as both sides possess imposing stats in this department. The Blues have lost three out of four matches in which we have conceded the opening goal, whilst Blackpool are unbeaten (won seven, drawn two) in the matches when they have notched first.
Roberto Mancini’s side is difficult to predict at the best of times, so it’s virtually impossible when he’s in the midst of rotating over this hectic festive period. I’d expect Carlos Tévez, the top goalscorer in the Premier League in 2010, to return and Mancini must choose from the likes of Mario Balotelli, James Milner, Adam Johnson, David Silva and Jo to support the Argentine. The manager will have the trip to Arsenal on Wednesday uppermost in his mind when picking his side, so we can be sure of a number of changes.
This is the side he may select:
Hart
Boateng Kompany Lescott Kolarov
de Jong Barry
Milner Tévez Silva
Balotelli
Subs: Given, Richards, Zabaleta, Vieira, A. Johnson, Y. Touré, Jo
The visitors have been outstanding on the road this season, amassing a total of seventeen points, and the result of this game is by no means a foregone conclusion. In Charlie Adam, they possess one of the stars of the season so far, someone who ran the game in the corresponding fixture earlier in the campaign. In attack, Dudley Junior (DJ) Campbell has scored all his league goals away from home so the City defence will need to take care against him.
Referee: Mark Clattenburg - Officiated the City v Arsenal fixture when he correctly sent off Dedryck Boyata but I’m not his biggest fan. Tries to be far too friendly with the players and likes to be in the spotlight. Expect a controversial decision or two.
Prediction: MAN CITY 3 – 1 Blackpool - I think this will be a hugely entertaining fixture, full of chances and excitement. Goals to be scored by Carlos Tévez, Mario Balotelli, David Silva and Luke Varney.
I’d take your prediction all day long but I’ve a feeling with that clown Clattenburg in charge it will be a lot more nip and tuck. I would also swap Milner for Yaya as well as I feel the younger of the Toure brothers is a lot more vital to us playing well than some people think or give him credit for. 2-1 to City for me, after an unsucessful attempt by the aforementioned Clattenburg desperately trying to help Blackpool in any way he can, (just like he did against Blackburn & Arsenal).
I also do not see Yaya on the bench. His physical presence is a key to control the middle field. Not to mention his few wild runs througout the game that would send shivers down the spine of any defender.
I’m just thinking about rotation and the fact that Yaya played against both Newcastle and Villa, and we have Arsenal coming up. Of the other midfielders, only NDJ started both those games, but he was suspended/rested for the game prior. I think it’s Yaya’s turn.
Nice preview, can see Blackpool losing heavily in this one, like they did when they went to Arsenal second game of the season.