MAN CITY v Sunderland: The PREVIEW – City’s Probable Team
5 Oct
After what could have been a humiliation at the hands of Borussia Dortmund and the impending international break that will once again disrupt the season, this encounter with Sunderland at the Etihad Stadium takes on extra significance. A win is imperative in order to restore some confidence to the team, no doubt feeling a touch battered and bruised following the midweek battle with the German champions.
Results this season haven’t been a particular concern for the Blues but the performances, largely insipid and lacking in tempo, have most definitely. Problems with various formations, rotation of players and other reasons have been put forward to explain the sluggish opening to the campaign, but this home fixture against the Black Cats offers an immediate opportunity to display the fighting spirit and sustained quality that was sadly lacking in midweek.
Sunderland were the only side not to be lose away to City last season, drawing 3-3 with the Blues after having lead 3-1 with just minutes to go. However, before that result, the Black Cats had been defeated on their previous seven visits to Manchester to face City. Their form this season has been consistent, if not exciting, drawing four and winning one.
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With regards to team selection, Roberto Mancini will want to freshen matters up after the Blues were given the runaround on Wednesday. In defence, Maicon could return after injury to offer greater attacking guile down the right, whilst Aleks Kolarov is vying, as always, with Gael Clichy for a place on the left. Joleon Lescott will hope to come in to the side, but Matija Nastasic has done OK since arriving and will feel confident of retaining his place.
Javi Garcia, who has severely struggled to adapt to the pace of the game since joining in the summer, is sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained against Borussia Dortmund so Gareth Barry will return, adding some much-needed solidity and protection in front of the defence. James Milner, Scott Sinclair, Carlos Tévez and Mario Balotelli will all hope to feature.
Here is the side Mancini could select:
Sunderland will be hoping that Adam Johnson, signed from City over the summer, can produce a performance which suggests Mancini was wrong to allow him to leave, but if the winger’s career with the Blues was anything to go by, he won’t be a constant threat. It will be fascinating to see whether Johnson has improved his attitude and workrate since joining the Black Cats and whether he can have any meaningful impact, rather than a bright opening five minutes. The obvious threat in front of goal is Steven Fletcher, the striker having scored all of Sunderland’s goals this season, but they are hindered by the absence of the suspended Lee Cattermole.
Referee: Lee Probert – He only officiated one City game in the Premier League last season, the comfortable away victory at Molineux.
Prediction: MAN CITY 2 – 1 Sunderland – It may be tight and tense early on, but hopefully City’s extra quality will shine. Goals to be scored by Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tévez and Steven Fletcher.
Not another 2-1 prediction.
I’m desperate for a clean sheet, but would settle for the prediction. I’ve got a feeling that it’s going to be 4-0 city; we’re due a show of force and we were awesome against Fulham last week. I went to the game and the passing and movement, at times, was as good as anything we dished up last season.
Look forward to next weeks’ 2-1 prediction against Ajax!
Nastasic has done ok? The boys been class its his team mates letting him down even harts been abysmal (apart from dortmund and madrid) he’s conceded more then he’s saved which is concerning ‘for the best keeper in the world’ but at least he admitted he’s been a let down in other games as for kompany I don’t no what’s happened to him he’s gone from being the worlds best cb to citys 2 nd best people say its cos he’s use to lescott that’s not a good enough reason nastasic has been immense since he joined and it wud b extremely unfair to drop him because vk apparently prefers playing wiv lescott I’d play
hart
maicon-vk-nastasic-kolarov
Barry-yaya
Nasri-silva-aguero
Dzeko
Tevez for Nasri. Tevez has got to play..and I read somewhere that Maicon was going to be out again, we’ll see.
All I ask is that whoevers playing in the middle pass and MOVE. Dont be lazy and slow, Im tired of almost falling asleep to that.
Maicon v AJ, I hope not!
Sunderland will come to park the bus, so an early goal is needed by City so we can play some football.
As for Hart he is a good keeper, but not the best in the World, maybe the best in the UK.
Maicon isn’t fit so it will most likely be Zabba. Also, this is assuming Barry is ok. If not, slot Milner or Rodwell in.
Heard that Yaya might be questionable as well, if so, it will look like this:
Hart
Zaba, Kompany, Lescott, Kolarov
Rodwell, Milner
Silva, Tevez, Nasri
Aguero
Hope we put some more goals in and keep a clean sheet. I’m tired of hearing about not having a clean sheet.
I also hope that little whinger boy Johnson is a flop. He obviously wasn’t good enough for us and now he’s flapping his gob about how much better he feels at Sunderland because O’Neil puts him on a pedestal. Poor guy needs a tissue….