MAN CITY v Notts County – THE PREVIEW: Teamnews and Prediction
18 Feb
It feels like quite a while since the first leg of this tie. We’ve played four games since then, recording a pair of draws, a solitary win and a crushing defeat in the Manchester derby. But this is one competition in which we have a real chance of being successful, so it’s imperative that we must focus on this fixture.
Notts County impressed at Meadow Lane, with their workrate and desire, along with a pitch not entirely conducive to aesthetically pleasing football, combining to make matters difficult for us. A first City goal from Edin Džeko was required to take the tie into the replay, and although the visitors will be hopeful of pulling off an upset, I’d expect us to have too much quality for them.
After the tricky midweek Europa League draw with Aris Thessoloniki, Roberto Mancini may be tempted to rest a few of his key players for this match, with the second leg of the Aris tie in mind. Central defence is an area which Mancini has chopped and changed recently, but I’d expect him to settle on a pair now and stick with them. Vincent Kompany is a surefire bet, and I’d like to see Jérome Boateng partner him. Edin Džeko and Mario Balotelli could start together upfront for the first time, whilst SWP will be given another opportunity to impress.
Here is the side Mancini could select:
Hart
Richards Boateng Kompany Kolarov
Vieira Barry
SWP Silva Balotelli
Džeko
Subs: Given, Zabaleta, K. Touré, Lescott, Y. Touré, Tévez, Jo
Key Battle
Vincent Kompany v Lee Hughes
The former Oldham striker was a handul in the first leg, putting himself about with customary gusto, challenging for every ball and perhaps unwisely, getting into a scrap with Pablo Zabaleta. If Kompany can nullify his threat, I’d be surprised if the visitors create much, so Vincent must continue his excellent form.
Referee: Mike Jones – Regarded as one of the top up-and-coming officials in the country, Jones is a solid ref. He regularly scores well in the Premier League fitness tests, so let’s hope the players are fit enough to keep up with the Jones’s…
Prediction: MAN CITY 2 – 0 Notts County - I believe City’s extra quality will shine through this time. Goals to be scored by Mario Balotelli and Edin Džeko.
Is there any reason why JO is on the bench. Is our Academy so much messed up that we do not have a player that can replace this true waste!
Bring kolorov into the midfeild for SWP and put zabaleta LB.
I would like us to start this run of 5 games at home as we mean to go on. A 4-0 victory with Balotelli and Dzeko getting a pair each. If we stamp our authority on games like we know we are capable of we can make things much easier on ourselves.
noooooooooo vieraaaaaa pleeeaaase
>>> ” and a crushing defeat in the Manchester derby”
Not sure crushing is the right word…makes it sound as if we got hammered? Maybe another one would be better?
>>> “although the visitors will be hopeful of pulling off an upset, I’d expect us to have too much quality for them”
We say this all the time…we said it against Leicester both legs and in the first leg of this game….you can never take quality as means for a win. Look at Crawley…passion is what it is all about. Notts had more than us last time around.
>>> “Central defence is an area which Mancini has chopped and changed recently, but I’d expect him to settle on a pair now and stick with them”
Should have maybe put Ricky’s fact in. 10 different CB pairings this season or whatever it was.
>>> “Jones is a solid ref”
Thanks, didnt know you have been watching me.
>>> “so let’s hope the players are fit enough to keep up with the Jones’s…”
HAHAHAHAHAHAAA! Like it!
>>> “I believe City’s extra quality will shine through this time”
If its going to shine trhough then we should expect a 6-0 will nevermind a 2-0 win!
Does anyone have any solid information on the status of Micheal Johnson. I have been reading conflicting news. Some say his knee just swelled up and he has to wait and some say he will play tomorrow. I would appreciate if anyone can confirm that he is okay and there is no new injury or swelling.
His knee swelled up on the flight back home from Greece. It’s not too serious but he won’t be playing in this match.