Newcastle v MAN CITY – The PREVIEW: City’s Probable Team
11 Jan
Joe Hart will be restored to the starting line-up after the previous couple of games in cup competitions in which Costel Pantilimon featured. Matija Nastasic is competing with Joleon Lescott and Martin Demichelis for a place alongside Vincent Kompany, whilst there is a battle between Gael Clichy and Aleks Kolarov on the left of defence.
Manuel Pellegrini is expected to start this encounter with two strikers, thus maintaining his natural attacking instincts, but there is the option of Jesus Navas or James Milner coming in for Edin Dzeko. That would strengthen the midfield, and Navas’s inclusion would inject some pace, but the manager has shown an unrelenting penchant for a pair of strikers, so expect to see Dzeko and Alvaro Negredo leading the line.
Here is the side Pellegrini could select:
Referee: Mike Jones.
Prediction: Newcastle 1 – 2 MAN CITY - The home side have been much improved this season and are a more than capable unit, but City have found their stride on the road and I’d back the Blues’ extra quality to prevail. Goals to be scored by Alvaro Negredo, Samir Nasri and Loic Remy.
I’d like to say I’ve loved Negredo since the day he came. He looked great on You Tube – as did Samaras to be fair – but he fulfilled the expectations and, as all left footed players – is a joy to watch. Wicked shot; lovely first touch; deft lay offs; great in the air; physical presence and actually seems a good egg – playing with a smile on his face. He is a cult hero along the lines of Rosler; Goater and Morrison but actually has the top level ability to go with it.
But, but, above all else…..that beard.
I swear I’ve seen him on CityTV clean shaven going to training and by the end of the session he is boasting a fully grown, mature thicket with a few birds nesting in it. Ok thats an exaggeration but he has fully regrown his beard come match day. It is a sight to behold. A wonderous phenomenon.
Here’s to Alvaro’s aggressive facial hair.
He truly is a beast.
Well said! I knew he would be a hit the moment we signed him
With only two recognized strikers available. I would personally prefer with playing Negredo as lone striker and Navas in for Dzeko