MAN CITY v Manchester United – THE PREVIEW: City’s Probable Team
6 Aug
City to win on penalties is 5/1, whilst a 1-1 draw in normal time is 11/2. Feel confident that you can predict the outcome? Got an instinct who will score first? Click HERE to bet on the game.
A glorified, fiesty, pre-season friendly. That’s my view at least, but according to the FA, this is officially the start of the 2011/12 season. And it begins with a Manchester derby. A Manchester derby that doesn’t hold the same importance as the previous meeting of these sides at Wembley, but it’s still bound to be a tense affair, full of passion and nervous energy.
The Community Shield isn’t exactly top of the list when it comes to priorities, but it’s a chance for the players to get some more match time under their belts, experience the Wembley feeling once more and end pre-season on a high note. Both sides have done well in the past month or so, with City looking especially good in defeating Inter Milan, but this will be a different challenge.
It certainly won’t be City’s first choice team that takes to the pitch, with Sergio Aguero only fit enough for the bench, but it will be a strong side nonetheless. The back four is settled, with only the left-back position slightly open for debate, depending on whether Gael Clichy is well enough to start, whilst James Milner is likely to get the nod ahead of Gareth Barry for a midfield slot. Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko can both expect to start, the latter having shown some good form in pre-season, and he will hope to carry that into this game.
Here is the side I expect Mancini to select:
Alex Ferguson has already made it known that he will make a number of changes during the game, but expect him to select a strong eleven. The repulsive Wayne Rooney has apparently been in fine pre-season form, whilst we will have to wait and see if Ashley Young and Phil Jones make their competitive debuts. In goal, David De Gea is a new face and I hope we put him under some early pressure.
Key Players: David Silva and Nemanja Vidic. For City, Silva is the player that makes us tick. He’s given licence to roam around, control our attacking play and by the looks of it, has worked on his shooting over the break. Along with Vincent Kompany, Vidic was the standout centre-back in the Premier League last year, and he will have to be on his guard again to deny our forward line.
Referee: Phil Dowd – Solid, unspectacular and will do a decent job.
Prediction: MAN CITY 1 – 1 Manchester United – I think it will be a fairly dull game, with both sides keen on avoiding injuries rather than trying to leave a mark on their opponents. If it goes to penalties, I’ve got a feeling Joe Hart will score the winning spotkick!
City to win on penalties is 5/1, whilst a 1-1 draw in normal time is 11/2. Feel confident that you can predict the outcome? Got an instinct who will score first? Click HERE to bet on the game.
It is about time that Milner takes its place in starting 11. I think Yaya should be in more advanced role and Miler right beside DeJong. 2 -1 Manchester Ciy goals by Balloteli, Dezko, Wayne Rooney
As much as I would like to see Milner in the attacking role and Yaya next to De Jong, Mancini just will not do that. And I also expect Mancini to start Kolarov instead of Clichy, since it will be the first real game of the year. Clichy will soon have that starting spot though
Couldn’t agree more
Thinking through Mancini’s mind here I have a feeling Yaya will start in the attacking role and Barry will start over Milner. I would like to see the formation shown though.
This is not a pre season friendly. It is a derby without the burden of expectation. Which will open our style of play to a more attacking and fluid game. On the one hand this may be the “Mancini takes the reign’s off” that is often quoted but then again we could fall into the trap of playing United at their own game.
I would have to say that I think we have a very good chance at winning this game with the players and mentality we have right now in the squad. However both teams have huge question marks over their respective form’s in certain area’s. United have an unsettled midfield whilst our striking duo are not exactly trusted. However I have backed Balo thus far and have also been impressed with Dzecko’s enthusiam recently.
I like your start line up but most keen to find out why you think Mancini would elect to pick Milner ahead of Barry (although that it would very much please me if it did happen).
Like the line up but think Clichy will not start, maybe Kolarov and think Toure will score, he always scores in big games.
Also just put a tenner down on City to win on pens!
Honestly if it goes to pens I think the reds will win, they have an annoying knack of winning shoot-outs…
But I genuinely think we can win this in 90 mins and throw down the gauntlet to the other PL teams with an eye-catching performance. At least I hope so.