Swansea v MAN CITY: The PREVIEW – City’s Probable Team
10 Mar
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Attention returns to the rigours of the Premier League following the disappointing European trip to Lisbon. Sunday’s visit to Swansea offers the Blues an opportunity to record another valuable three points and although this has the potential to be a tricky fixture, the Welsh side’s penchant for playing an attractive and open style of football could actually favour the Blues.
This match is a repeat of the opening game of the season, in which we were victorious 4-0. However, since then, Swansea have impressed everyone with their aesthetically pleasing passing, non-stop workrate and ability to take the battle to the top sides. In fact, their record against top half opposition this season is bettered by only the two Manchester clubs and Spurs, so any loss of concentration could be fatal to our chances.
With regards to team selection, Vincent Kompany is sidelined with the calf injury he picked up in the early stages against Sporting Lisbon, whilst Joleon Lescott’s chances of playing are rated as 50/50. Micah Richards is set to return from injury and will start on the right of the defence, with Kolo Touré given an opportunity in the middle.
Yaya Touré, following his Europa League suspension, will no doubt return to the side, as will Mario Balotelli, who impressed in his brief substitute appearance on Thursday. Adam Johnson, David Pizarro and Samir Nasri are all hoping to be named in the eleven, but Edin Dzeko looks sure to miss out after his below-par display in Lisbon.
Here is the side Mancini could select:
Swansea are devoid of the services of the pacy Nathan Dyer as the winger starts a three-game suspension following his red card last week against Wigan, but Ashley Williams, one of their best players this season, has recovered from illness and looks set to start. Danny Graham will pose problems to our defence, as will the tricky Scott Sinclair, whose pace and direct approach have caused many a fullback a sleepless night.
Referee: Lee Mason – He has officiated two previous City games this season and we have won neither. He was in charge for the frustrating 0-0 draw with WBA and also the 1-0 defeat to Liverpool in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final.
Prediction: Swansea 1 – 3 MAN CITY – I expect this to be a very entertaining affair, full of attractive football and including plenty of chances. Goals to be scored by Danny Graham, Sergio Aguero, Mario Balotelli and David Silva.
You are forgetting something crucial and a new tremendous powerful issue for City’s squad: “The very possible return of Carlos Tevez on the team… It will change the whole attacking front… He can play with either Mario, Sergio, Dzeco or Johnson, being fed the balls by Silva and Nasir.
I hadn’t heard that Lescott was an injury worry. With Kompo and Zaba out that is a worry. I suppose that at a pinch Micah could play CH with Kolo, Clichy RB and Kolarov LB. Otherwise it would mean Savic in at CH or RB and although I think he is a good long term mid to long term prospect, his confidence looked shaky after his last two under par games.
Personally I would start Nasri rather than Milner and look agressively for the first goal/s early in the game. Milner has been a bit under par of late when he doesn’t play Yaya seems to have a more aggressive role. Milner might be better used as an option later in the game.
I thought Mancini had said that Carlos would not be ready until the Chelsea game at the earliest. In any event, he’s not likely to start a game until he has had a couple of brief sub appearances, you know the sort I mean, where the player warms up and then, and then, oh sheeeeeeeeeeeeeit!
we should play nasri he needs to get hes form back.play dzeko n balotelli up front aguero should rest for europa