MAN CITY v Newcastle: The PREVIEW – City’s Probable Team
18 Nov
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After what has seemed an eternity since we narrowly defeated QPR at Loftus Road, the Premier League returns. Another international break has disrupted the season but that’s the last one for quite some time so all the focus is now our battle to maintain top spot in domestic action.
The visit of Newcastle should pose an interesting challenge and we will have to be at our best if we are to secure the three points. The Geordies were widely expected to struggle this season and I for one had them down as relegation candidates. However, they have had a quite stunning start to the campaign, impressing everyone with their blend of pace, power and ability to grind out results. They currently lie in third place and although I very much doubt they will be able to continue this form, Alan Pardew must be given an enormous amount of credit for the job he has done.
With this fixture coming on the back of an international week and with the absolutely crucial Napoli game following just three days later, Roberto Mancini will surely rest a few of his key players. Captain Vincent Kompany will return to the team after his suspension against QPR, whilst Nigel de Jong could face Hatem Ben Arfa for the first time since his tackle broke the Frenchman’s leg in the correstponding fixture last season. I must add that I still believe it wasn’t a poor tackle, merely a desperately unfortunate injury, but the travelling Newcastle fans are sure to give our Dutchman a less than welcoming reception.
Futher forward, Edin Dzeko played two full, draining games for Bosnia against Portugal so may start on the bench, whilst Sergio Aguero sat out one of Argentina’s games through injury, though he was deemed fit enough to make an appearance off the bench in their next game. That means that Mario Balotelli, who scored a sublime, long-range effort for Italy, could start, with Adam Johnson, David Silva and James Milner in support.
Here is the side Mancini could select:
As mentioned above, Newcastle has been fantastic this season, lead by their irrepressible midfield duo of Yohan Cabaye and Cheik Tiote. Fortunately for City, the latter of that twosome is doubtful with injury but Cabaye’s ability shouldn’t be overlooked. His long-range shooting is something we must be aware of and if we gift Newcastle time on the ball, he could pull the strings. Steven Taylor and Fabricio Coloccini have been a marvelous centre-back pairing but will face a tough task to deny our on-fire strikers.
Referee: Chris Foy – Hasn’t officiated a City game yet this season, but he’s generally regarded quite highly.
Prediction: MAN CITY 2 – 0 Newcastle – I think it will be a fairly close game, one that will be decided by whichever side is more clinical. Goals to be scored by Mario Balotelli and David Silva.
It would be totally understandable for the newcastle fans to give Nigel de Jong an ‘unwelcoming’ reception.
I think 2-0 to City.
What for, a hard yes, but a fair tackle!
Newcastle are 10-1 to win. About says it all!
I couldn’t resist a sneaky £10 on the Toon to upset Cite!
It’s evident we’ll get beat, no one will match City for the coming years. I’ve read that Pardew’s going to go and take the game to City rather than sit back and park the bus, which i totally respect because either way, we’re going to get beat. I just hope we don’t become too vulnerable at the back, and with Chiek Tiote out, that’s just too big of a blow. – Defensively!
But if we were to somehow scrap a point, or maybes 3; hmm. nah. I’m just hoping it’s not too big of a scoreline!
If you’ve played the game u know it was a poor tackle, a leg hanging weak n u jump on it with all ur body weight, it’s a no brainer, he done Stuart holden and we all know about his antics at the world cup, tiote is a midfield hardman but doesn’t break legs. Man city are impressive this season but staying optimistic it would be the first time this season we’ve beat the odds !!! TOON ARMY !!!!
* it wouldn’t be the first time we’ve beat the odds
As seen in most posts here, the only danger faces City is the City itself and falling victim to complacency. New Castle has been great and they should be treated like other strong opponents such as United or Chelsea.