MAN CITY v Tottenham – The PREVIEW: City’s Probable Team
17 Oct
City’s inconsistent form and the pair of international breaks have conspired to produce a somewhat stop-start beginning to the season, but this fixture at home to Spurs is the first in a heavy, concentrated run. For so long a bogey team, the Blues’ recent record against Tottenham is excellent and with memories of last season’s two thumpings still fresh in the mind, confidence should be high among the squad.
Pablo Zabaleta played 120 minutes for Argentina over the course of their two fixtures in the Far East and with the crucial Champions League encounter with CSKA Moscow just around the corner, that could lead to an opportunity for Bacary Sagna on the right of defence. Eliaquim Mangala was left out of France’s team for the second of their games, more as a precaution than any serious injury, and he should be back for Tuesday’s encounter in Russia.
Fernandinho is battling a hamstring strain suffered against Aston Villa and with such a hectic fixture list ahead, it would be a risk to throw him in from the start on Saturday. Yaya Touré played twice for Ivory Coast during the international break and it was thought he would be rested ahead of the CSKA Moscow match, but he flew back to Manchester early to prepare for the visit of Tottenham. Fernando will start, while Frank Lampard is pushing for a place, depending on the availability of Yaya. James Milner and Jesus Navas are battling for one place on the right of midfield.
Here is the side Manuel Pellegrini could select:
Referee: Jon Moss.
Prediction: MAN CITY 3 – 1 Spurs – Both sides are far more comfortable pushing forward than defending, but with the likes of David Silva, James Milner and Sergio Aguero is impressive form, City have that extra touch of class in attack. It could well be an entertaining and open affair. I’ll back Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko, Frank Lampard and Christian Eriksen to get on the scoresheet.
We have to start giving Kolorov a decent run of games: he’s got the potential to be the best left-back in the premiership.
Can anybody tell me the difference between Sagna and Micha because I’m struggling to find one
Feels like a win, but I’m not counting my chickens
Sagna is less injury prone and is a better more reliable backup with an excellent delivery into the box
I agree with you about sanga he’s a very see decent player but offers us nothing going forward. I would like navas to start – expect spurs to be really up for this one’ can’t see to many goals not after last season. 1 nil will do for me.
Milner has been great recently and in great form. It is truly criminal to put him on the bench. I personally think it is best for Yaya to sit this one on the bench and Milner gets the go ahead right beside Fernando.
Think with the minutes played by a number of players during the international break, that the much fresher and in form Milner must start. Fernando looked a bull in midfield before his injury and the sooner he’s back in the better.
Aguero is due a brace and I’m going for tomorrow to be the day.