MAN CITY v Newcastle – The PREVIEW: City’s Probable Team
18 Aug
The eagerly awaited new season is finally upon us. Refreshed after a lengthy break, revitalised by the arrival of a new manager and a quartet of exciting signings and raring to go in our bid to reclaim the Premier League title, the campaign starts at home to Newcastle.
Manuel Pellegrini’s first team selection should hold no great surprises. The four additions were all added swiftly and have had time to adapt, and while Jesus Navas – 9/1 to open the scoring with Paddy Power – and Stevan Jovetic haven’t featured extensively over the course of pre-season, they’re both in contention to make their debuts. Injury-wise, only Matija Nastasic is sidelined, thus handing Joleon Lescott a likely opportunity at the heart of defence, while Sergio Aguero, although back fully training, is not expected to be named in the starting eleven after niggly injuries disrupted his pre-season.
Pablo Zabaleta faces a fight from the fit-again Micah Richards for the right-back berth, but the Argentinean, after such a consistent season last year, can expect to be given the nod on Monday. Gael Clichy should see off limited competition from Aleks Kolarov, while Fernandinho will handed the opportunity to show off his all-action game in the heart of midfield. If Pellegrini is slightly hesitant about throwing in too many debutants, James Milner could feature in an attacking midfield role, perhaps at the expense of either Navas or Jovetic, while Edin Dzeko, who is 5/1 to score the opening goal of the game with William Hill, and Alvaro Negredo have both seemed particularly sharp in attack.
Here is the side Pellegrini could select:
Referee: Andre Marriner – One of the most highly regarded officials, he took charge of City on four occasions last season, one of which was the harrowing FA Cup final defeat to Wigan.
Prediction: MAN CITY 3 – 1 Newcastle – A brand new season and the optimism that surrounds the club at the moment will hopefully manifest itself with a lively display. Goals to be scored by Edin Dzeko, Alvaro Negredo, Sergio Aguero and Hatem Ben Arfa.
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Silva and Navas are not prone to defensive tasks and Yaya’s lack of defending would leave our back-line exposed. I prefer Milner in starting line-up as he provides more defensive balance and Navas can make his mark during later stages of game when NewCastle legs are more worn-out.
I like the above lineup, but I think Jovetic will start over one of those strikers.
Wrong reply button..oops..
Not sure I would start with Navas. But his inclusion would certainly put the emphasis on attack.
My only concern is whether Dzeko will put in a full shift.
Start Navas. Attack, attack attack. Lets make a statement.
Silva through the middle rather than wide and aguero to start with edin.
Absolutely love Navas, but I agree with some of the above, that we need the work from Milner. Really hope Jovetic gets some decent game time though. I think he’s going to be an absolute star! Come on City!
i agreed with you jovetic is very very good manuel must have the eye to select the best for tomorrow. Jovetic fantastic
To be fair you could play a B team and you will still walk all over us tomorrow
hope we at least show some character in what i see as an easy win for city
Negredo out Jovetic in at the flanks Silva should operate through the middle . Good luck citizens
Maybe we start jovetic 9,aguero 11 and navas 7 up front,fanandiho could play 4,toure 8 and silva play 10 then from back maybe richard play 6 while kompany play 5 and zabeleta play 2,clinchy 3.
We nid more firepower,so manuel shud start Navas,Nasri,and play Milner in the second half
Dzeko, Jovetic, silver, Navas, Yaya, fernandinho, Clichy, Lescot, Kumpany, Zabbeleta, Hart. 4 2 3 1
Hello again everyone! View from a blue i would like to ask , do you think that with fernandinho and yaya at the centre we will not have any defensive problems? last year every time Barry didn’t feature our defence seems shaky .