MAN CITY v West Brom: The PREVIEW – City’s Probable Team
6 May
With the FA Cup final just days away and with this fixture coming so soon after the soporific weekend clash with Swansea, Roberto Mancini will be tempted to make a number of changes to the side. Costel Pantilimon is expected to feature against Wigan on Saturday and there is a valid argument to give him a game at home to West Brom, although Joe Hart will likely play. One of Maicon and Micah Richards could start in order to give Pablo Zabaleta a rest, while Joleon Lescott and Aleks Kolarov can both expect a game.
In midfield, Jack Rodwell and Javi Garcia are both contenders, with Gareth Barry a possible to be rested, while Yaya Touré was withdrawn at the break against Swansea and if there are any minor doubts about his fitness, there is no reason to risk him ahead of the weekend. Edin Dzeko might be handed an opportunity if Mancini decides to rest Sergio Aguero so it would be nice for the Bosnian to at least appear interested, even if he, and we, know that he’s off in the summer.
Here is the side Mancini could select:
Referee: Phil Dowd: He has officiated City once in the Premier League this season, that being the frustrating 0-0 draw away to QPR, while he was also in charge for the Capital One Cup loss to Aston Villa and the FA Cup victory over Watford.
Prediction: MAN CITY 1 – 0 West Brom – City minds may well be on the weekend’s final and so it might not be the most enthralling of encounters. The goal to be scored by Carlos Tévez.
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Yaya should absolutely be rested, if there is one pitch he can gallop like a unicorn, it is the Wembley. A win goes a long way in securing second position. As for Dzeko, I have been and am a fan of him, mind you he has been truly unprofessional and his lack of game desire is disgraceful. In your team selection, I find Kolarov as the only fly in the ointment but I guess there is no alternative considering the FA cup.
Good shout to have Tevez scoring the only goal when you haven’t got him on the team sheet!
We still need to win 2 games to ensure 2nd place so need to win this game. Garcia and Rodwell in midfield is a recipe for disaster and I agree that Yaya prob shouldn’t play. If Milner is fit, get him in instead of Garcia. Get Yaya out and Barry in. Get Kolarov in the stands and Clichy in. Get Dzeko out and Tevez in.
If someone gets injured then so be it big 4 days isn’t enough time to recover then they shouldn’t be professional footballers for goodness sake!
Let’s win the last 4 remaining games! C’mon City!!!