MAN CITY v Blackburn: The PREVIEW – City’s Probable Team
24 Feb
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Following our pair of convincing European victories over Porto, attention returns to domestic matters with the visit of Blackburn to the fortress that is the Etihad Stadium. This is a game we really ought to win and one that, taking into account the respective form of both sides, we are strong favourites for. Whilst we sit atop the Premier League table, Blackburn are fighting to stay in the division, currently lying just above the relegation zone due to their superior goal difference.
Our home form has been nothing short of incredible recently, recording 21 wins and a draw from the past 22 games, so all signs point to another Blue victory on Saturday. However, despite a relatively unimpressive away record, the visitors are capable of producing a surprise result, as highlighted by their win over Manchester United at Old Trafford earlier this season so we must be on our guard to prevent a shock.
With this fixture coming so soon after the second leg of the Porto tie, Roberto Mancini’s team selection will be interesting. He is likely to make a couple of changes in order to freshen matters up, but I don’t expect too many as he knows how imperative a victory is. Micah Richards struggled with injury on Wednesday so Pablo Zabaleta could come in, as could Aleks Kolarov, who has sat out the past couple of games.
Nigel De Jong has shown signs of returning to his best recently but his more defensive presence is unlikely to be necessary against Blackburn, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see Yaya Touré play alongside Gareth Barry in midfield, with either Mario Balotelli or Edin Dzeko providing an extra attacking body.
Here is the side Mancini could select:
The visitors will travel more in hope than expectation, but with Yakubu up front, they know they have a chance. The Nigerian has been hugely impressive this season, scoring thirteen goals in a struggling side and his physicality will pose a threat to Vincent Kompany and Joleon Lescott. In defence, Blackburn are handicapped by the suspensions of Gael Givet and Jason Lowe, whilst David Dunn is doubtful with a thigh injury.
Referee: Mike Jones – Has officiated two previous City games this season and we were victorious in both (3-2 away to Bolton and 3-0 at home against Liverpool). However, he was very poor in the process on both occasions, losing control of the match and letting far too many challenges go unpunished.
Prediction: MAN CITY 3 – 0 Blackburn – I’m guessing Blackburn will try to pack the midfield and defence, denying us the space in which to work but should we get one, it could very easily become a rout. Goals to be scored by Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli.
Playing Yaya deep as DM has never worked well. And History tells me when Yaya and Barry are both played in the span of 3 days right after the previous game, they tend to disappoint. I would prefer to have DeJong or Milner played along side Barry and Probably [in the second half] Yaya would would play in his advanced role
I think Barry is injured
It’s either gonna be real close like 1-0 or 2-1 or it’s gonna be a rout like 4+ I am kind of hoping tevez is on the bench. If he can help with the title push and him and mancini can get past the rift I think as fans we should too, still can’t help harbouring a few feelings of irritation tho.
Come on city!
aguero should be on bench and play balotelli up front.score 4-1
Dzeko wil do well to score if he isn’t playing
From now on in I expect Mancini to select his best side always when we have on game a week and to be a little bit more circumspect when the Euro games are sandwiched between PL matches.
Barry was pulled off after an hour v Porto wasn’t he Siamack? Don’t we need his mopping up and passing game rather more than Milners interventions and box to box engine? There was a 7 day rest before that Porto game and there’s a 7 day rest after this one so I doubt Barry needs a break.
It would do no harm to rest Richards even if he is fit to play. He has a potential England call up and a few additional days rest won’t do his knee any harm.
I won’t be surprised if VFB has nailed the starting lineup although I can’t help but think that Dzekers
would benefit from not being benched following scoring!
My comment was based on past history record as opposed to player’s ability. There is no question in Barry’s great abilities. On the other hand, Milner has been awesome and I personally do not see much difference between him and Barry.
On the subject of scorer predictions, ive noticed many a time that no matter the scoreline that vfb never picks the same player to score twice, it could be a prediction of 5-4 and vfb will pick 9 different goal scorers
still a great read though