Friday 6 April 2012

Manchester City (H)

I hope your all enjoying your Easter weekend so far. It would make the weekend perfect if a certain team lost tomorrow and we end City's title chance on Sunday. Both games are hard to predict, Sunderland are one of those problem teams and people who assume Tottenham are going to turn up and win might be in for a shock. Similarly for people who think City are going to turn up and win. I don't think it will be that simple.

The game on Sunday is the most important one of the season so far, we've worked hard to pull ourselves out of the shit we were in at the beginning of the season to get to where we are. Letting it go now would be both frustrating and quite frankly gutting. We wobbled against QPR but we need to forget it and get ourselves up for the game. In recent weeks city have also wobbled a bit too which personally I think boils down to them not having the bottle to see the season out.


The good thing is that due to recent results they've put the pressure on themselves, every game for them now is a must win which means they they'll have to come and attack us which will leave them open on the counter. When we played them earlier in the season they parked the bus and to be honest were lucky to get all 3 points. That won't be the case this time and as Sunderland showed at the weekend when they have to go forward they can be punished. On top of that Mancini came out and said if they don't win the title is over, in my opinion that poor managing but whatever. A draw does neither team any good really but if you offered me one now I'd probably take it.

We have no new injury worries ahead of the game but this time I think we'll play Gervinho instead of Ramsey on the left and I think we need too, he's more dynamic going forward. However I think he might have a job against Richards power which means Oxlade might get the nod ahead of him. The rest of the team I think will be the same, with Rosicky slotting in behind RVP. The defence will have their work cut out for them and we really can't afford any slip ups this weekend.

In terms of City, there was news earlier this week that Aguero might be out due to a "stupid injury" but he's fit so will no doubt lead their line along with the headcase Balotelli. No matter what you think of Mario hes a dangerous player and when he's in the right place he's as good as any in front of goal. There will be yet another warm welcome for Samir Na$ri who I'm still yet to be convinced fits into their team. Yaya Toure and De Jong will provide the power in the midfield. I can't help but feel that Song will be a key player for us, he will have his hands full with the likes of Balotelli when defending, but will have to compete with power of De Jong and Toure when he pushes forward.


Theres no doubt our best chances will come on the break but for that to be a successful plan we need to make sure we don't concede early. It will be a tight game and with the title and 3rd place riding on it, it will be a game that both teams need to win, hopefully the red half will come out on top. Whatever the result have a happy Easter! COYG!

Prediction: Arsenal 1-1 Manchester City