Sunderland v MAN CITY: The PREVIEW – City’s Probable Team
31 Dec
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Manchester City will hope to carry their 2011 form into the new year as they travel to the Stadium of Light in search of three valuable points. With results having gone favourably for the Blues (thank you, Blackburn!) so far this weekend, a victory against Sunderland would see City top the Premier League table by three points and would complete a hugely satisfactory opening half of the season.
Before the campaign started, I would happily have accepted finishing in fourth place, as I felt that securing Champions League football was the most essential aspect from this season. So to be top of the table heading into the new year and playing the exquisite football that we have been doing is a superb achievement. That said, Sunderland will be determined to cause us problems and having shown an upturn in form since the arrival of Martin O’Neill, they will begin this game confident of pulling off an upset.
Roberto Mancini is acutely aware of the limited time after this fixture before the Liverpool match so may decide to make a number of changes. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Micah Richards return for this game, with Nigel De Jong and James Milner hopeful of getting starts. Adam Johnson has fond memories of the Stadium of Light and he will likely take his place on the wing, where he will most probably be looking to provide chances for Edin Dzeko.
Here is the side Mancini could select:
Sunderland have a couple of injury worries themselves, notably in defence. Michael Turner is certainly out, whilst Phil Bardsley and Titus Bramble are both doubtful. Further foward, we will have to be on guard for Seb Larsson’s superb set-pieces, whilst Nicklas Bendtner, although derided at Arsenal, is a capable striker and he’ll be hoping to start the new year with a bang.
Referee: Kevin Friend – Has officiated in one previous City game this season, the 2-0 home Carling Cup victory over Birmingham.
Prediction: Sunderland 1 – 2 MAN CITY – I think City will have large amounts of possession but Sunderland will make it tough for us to break them down. It might be frustrating for a while, but I back us to secure the three points. Goals to be scored by Nicklas Bendtner, Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero.
after West Brom, the lads will want to punish somebody, and we have the ability to do it. O’Neill’s way is to study teams and look for weaknesses, but the West Brom game won’t give him a lot to cheer, and the loss to Chelsea was more about martin Atkinson’s ineptitude than City’s, so I’m looking for a convincing win.
Thanks, great preview!
The ref at Chelsea was Clattenburg
I really reckon we can pull off another clean sheet in this match
Let’s hope Dejong gets a nod in place of Barry or Milner.
Come on Nigel!!!!