MAN CITY v Bolton: The PREVIEW – City’s Probable Team
2 Mar
Following the midweek distraction of international friendlies, focus returns to domestic matters as we look to continue our superb recent form by recording a victory at home to Bolton. With this game taking place a day before Manchester United’s tricky tie with Spurs, it offers the Blues a wonderful opportunity to extend the lead at the top of the Premier League table to five points, and taking the form of both sides into account, that is something which should be achieved come Saturday evening.
We have defeated the Trotters in each of the past four meetings between the sides and come into this match having secured maximum points from the past eighteen league fixtures at the Etihad Stadium. Bolton have struggled immensely this season and currently avoid propping up the table solely on goal difference. A win, therefore, for City ought to be expected, but we only narrowly secured a 3-2 victory at the Reebok Stadium earlier in the campaign and must avoid complacency tomorrow.
With regards to team selection, Roberto Mancini has virtually a fully-fit squad from which to choose. Carlos Tévez played 45 minutes for the Elite Development Squad during the week and is not yet anywhere near ready, whilst Kolo Touré has been struggling with injury recently and may be sidelined again. The upcoming Europa League match on Thursday against Sporting Lisbon may affect the manager’s thinking, but we should expect a very strong starting eleven.
After an impressive performance against Blackburn last week, Aleks Kolarov could well keep his place on the left of defence, whilst Gareth Barry has recovered from a sore back and is competing with Nigel De Jong for a place alongside Yaya Touré in midfield. Adam Johnson faces a battle to remain in the side with the likes of James Milner, Samir Nasri and Edin Dzeko all desperate to be involved, but Sergio Aguero and Mario Balotelli could start again in attack as their partnership shows signs of developing.
Here is the side Mancini could select:
Bolton have struggled throughout this season to prevent goals from being scored against them and to put the ball in the opposition net. Despite showing promise last campaign, they haven’t kick on at all this time round and lost their best defender, Gary Cahill, in January. Former Liverpool striker David N’Gog has been one of their few bright sparks and his mercurial nature may well pose the biggest threat to our backline tomorrow. Kevin Davies, who generally performs well against the Blues, is a booking away from equalling Lee Bowyer’s Premier League record of 102 yellow cards.
Referee: Mark Clattenburg – Has officiated two City games so far this campaign (the 6-1 humiliation of Manchester United and the 2-1 defeat to Chelsea) and he had a terrible performance in the latter of those fixtures. He does enjoy the limelight and never shies away from controversy. Despite his wholly negative reputation in the eyes of City fans, in the past twenty games in which he’s refereed the Blues, we’ve lost just twice.
Prediction: MAN CITY 3 – 0 Bolton – I’d expect the visitors to sit back and defend, hoping to soak up our pressure but just as we found a way past Blackburn last time out, we should do the same again. Goals to be scored by Sergio Aguero, Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko.
I hope Tevez makes the bench, if it goed to plan throw him on with 25 min to go. We will be 3 up or 4 up ny this point. COME ON CITY
Tillidie – there’s a tender but hilarious tshirt of teves as a dog with ‘TREAT ME GOOD’. You can get it at jeangenie on beech rd, chorlton.
more like 5-0
I can not get over on how Bolton has made a nobody out of Boyata. He was such talent and their poor management of him may affect him big time in the future. I really do hope we trash them 10 – 0 !
we only need 3 points thats all who cares about score.we should rest aguero and silva for europa league and let nasri play on silva’s position.
aguero,balotelli,silva and nasri are my first choice forward combination for this game. i would also like to see pizarro play some more time.probably to replace gareth barry in the last 30 minutes along side yaya.my back four in consideration of the upcoming europa should be of,zabaleta,kompany,lescot,and koralov.dzeko should come in as a sub on 75th minute.