MAN CITY v Wigan: The PREVIEW – City’s Probable Team

Fancy a flutter? Adam Johnson to score the first goal is great value at 9/1 whilst Carlos Tévez to score first and City to win 2-0 is a very tempting 23/1. Feel confident that you can predict the outcome? Got an instinct who will score first? Click HERE to bet on the game.

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After the distraction of international football, Nedum Onuoha’s mum and Garry Cook’s email (since writing this piece, he’s resigned), it’s time for the focus to return to the Premier League. The visit of Wigan, lead by the affable Roberto Martínez, should present a testing challenge to Roberto Mancini’s men and with the Champions League tie with Napoli at the forefront of everyone’s minds, the players must continue their impressive form.

Such is the manner in which we have started this season, it is expected that City will run riot on Saturday. But whilst I’d be appalled if we didn’t secure the three points, I’m not convinced we will be at our fluent best. Mancini will understandably make a number of changes to the side and Wigan should not be underestimated. They have an inspirational manager, a good team spirit and surprisingly have the longest current unbeaten run in the Premier League.

With regards to team selection, it could be a much changed City side which takes to the pitch. Nigel De Jong is out for another two weeks with an injury, whilst Gareth Barry picked up a niggle on international duty, Samir Nasri broke a finger but should be fine to play with a protective cast and Micah Richards dropped out of the England squad as a precaution due to a tight hamstring. Pablo Zabaleta and Sergio Aguero have both flown long distances during the week, so Mancini may opt to leave them out.

Carlos Tévez and Mario Balotelli can expect their first starts of the season, with Adam Johnson also pushing for a place. Despite being in red hot goalscoring form, Edin Dzeko could be left on the bench with Wednesday’s Napoli game in mind.

Here is the side Manicni could select:

Key Players: Carlos Tévez and Hugo Rodallega. This is an important game for Tévez, who, having been ignored by Argentina this week, has had the benefit of an extra week’s training at Carrington. By all accounts, he is looking sharp, lean and is ready to be given a go. He isn’t the one touch type of footballer who would necessarily link well with the likes of Nasri and Aguero, but he is a goalscorer and should any chance come his way, he’ll be eager to take it. For the visitors, Rodallega is as close to a star as they have. Physical, pacy and with a delightful left foot, he is more than capable of causing our defence problems. Kompany and Lescott will have to be on their guard and avoid complacency.

Referee: Martin Atkinson - Will be remembered by City fans for being the official who added four minutes of injury time at Old Trafford, only to allow Michael Owen to score in the seventh minute to give United a last gasp win. Generally solid, although he hasn’t had the best start to the season so far.

Prediction: MAN CITY 2 – 0 Wigan – We should win, although I’m not sure it will be by as big a margin as many expect. Goals to be scored by Carlos Tévez and Mario Balotelli.

Fancy a flutter? Adam Johnson to score the first goal is great value at 9/1 whilst Carlos Tévez to score first and City to win 2-0 is a very tempting 23/1. Feel confident that you can predict the outcome? Got an instinct who will score first? Click HERE to bet on the game.