Kakaless Manchester City host relegation threatened Middlesborough in a pivotal game on Saturday; a match which could be a turning point in the season for either side. The visitors are on a twelve match win-less streak, while the Blues were beaten in their previous game against Stoke. The first encounter between these teams earlier in the season was convincingly won by ‘Boro, 2 – 0.
Team News
City had a productive January transfer window, signing a total of four players, one of whom, Shay Given, will make his debut in this match. Wayne Bridge was partly at fault for the goal against Stoke but is a huge improvement on both Michael ‘One Cap Wonder’ Ball and Javier ‘Looks the Spitting Image of his Dad’ Garrido. ‘Nifty Nige’ Nigel de Jong has impressed in both his games, whilst Craig Bellamy has looked lively up front. For this game, Micah Richards will, in all likelihood, start despite being arrested in midweek about an assault charge, and speedy winger Shaun Wright-Phillips is free to play, although he has been charged with violent conduct by the FA follwoing his kick-out at Rory Delap. Brazilian midfielder, and my friend, Elano, is pushing for a recall after his substitute appearance in the previous match.
My Team
Given
Zabaleta Kompany Onuoha Bridge
de Jong
Ireland Elano
Wright-Phillips Robinho
Bellamy
Subs: Hart, Richards, Garrido, Caicedo, Sturridge, Vassell, Weiss
Given will make his debut for City
Key Battles
Nedum Onuoha ‘v’ Tuncay Sanli
Academic Onuoha will start this match in the continued absence of skipper Richard Dunne and will be looking to keep out ‘Boro’s nomadic striker, Tuncay. On his day, the Turkish international can be a handful for anyone, so City’s defence will have a battle on their hands.
Stephen Ireland ‘v’ Didier Digard
Superman’s form has recently dipped below the high standards he sets himself, so he will be hoping to recapture his form and have n impact of this game. Digard was a summer signing for the visitors and has settled in well to English football.
Craig Bellamy ‘v’ David Wheater
Bellamy has impressed since his ridiculously-big-money move from West Ham but will be up against Wheater, who has been called into the England squad on one occasion and looks like a hot (no, not in that sense, because he’s sooooo ugly) prospect for the future.
Wheater: uglier than Wayne Rooney?
Verdict: Man City 3 – 1 Middlesborough
An exciting affair with goals to be scored by Robinho, Bellamy, Ireland and Tuncay.
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