Manchester City vs Wigan - 'Battle Of The Roberto's'

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This Saturday, Manchester City face Wigan at the Etihad Stadium in what could be Samir Nasri's home debut. Wigan have not done too well over City in previous seasons, with two defeats last season and no goals. In fact, the last time Wigan did get points off Manchester on the road was March 2008, when the teams tied 0-0 (However they did beat Manchester at home only the year before 1-0).

Wigan currently find themselves in eighth position after an unbeaten start to the season, although this will be the Latic's first real test. All three of their opening games were against newly promoted teams, and two were draws. In fact, their opening two games were 1-1 at home to Norwich, followed by a goal-less draw away to Swansea. Their first win came before the International break, a 2-0 win against QPR.

That being said, this is the first game back after the close of the transfer window, and Wigan fans will be interested to see new signings Maloney, Van Aanholt and Crusat potentially make their debuts. Wigan are a good passing side, but their defense will have to go above and beyond as a rampant City look to repeat or better their last outing, a 5-1 trouncing of Tottenham in their own backyard.

Turning to City and Roberto Mancini, it is difficult to say what team he will start out with. Keeping in mind that on Wednesday they host Napoli in their first Champions League game, Mancini may be tempted to rest Aguero and other key players. With the quality of his bench though, I do not believe that replacing Aguero for Tevez would weaken the team. Considering he scored a hat-trick a couple of seasons ago in this fixture, it may not be a bad option. City so far have walked all over their previous opponents this season, with only Bolton keeping it close, losing 3-2. That game was sandwiched between a 4-0 win against Swansea and a 5-1 win against Tottenham.

With the Rugby World Cup kicking off, the City fans may be expecting a similar Rugby score from the City side with Dzeko expected to add to his six goals that he has already! Also add to the mix the return of Kolo Toure after his ban and there only looks to be one winner after the 'Battle Of The Roberto's'.

http://www.newsnow.co.uk/A/518532258?-

Team News -

Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri is in contention to play despite a broken finger, while Micah Richards has recovered from a hamstring problem.

Kolo Toure is back after completing his six-month ban, but Gareth Barry is doubtful with an ankle injury and Owen Hargreaves in not yet match fit.

Wigan remain without injured defenders Antolin Alcaraz and Steven Gohouri.

New signings Shaun Maloney, Albert Crusat and Patrick van Aanholt are available and could make their debuts.

Match Preview -

"City could score 10" is one response I've had after being asked where I'll be this weekend. Taking only the gulf in resources and squad strength into account, it might not be that far-fetched a reaction, but it's one that doesn't pay enough respect to a Wigan team that currently boasts the longest unbeaten run of any in the Premier League - seven games going back to last season.

The Latics' patient passing style impressed me greatly against QPR a fortnight ago, but it's in defence where they'll surely have to play out of their skins at the Etihad Stadium. Roberto Martinez knows that, and as ever will have a plan against a Manchester City side that he himself has described as "near enough unplayable going forward".

If he so chooses, the other Roberto (signor Mancini) has the luxury of being able to rest Sergio Aguero ahead of City's Champions League debut against Napoli on Wednesday. You can do that when Carlos Tevez is the man waiting in the wings. Now looking to the future, with his family having joined him in Manchester, he's got history in this fixture - he scored all the goals in a 3-0 victory two seasons ago.

Another City win would be their seventh in a row in the league, equalling their best top-flight sequence since club legend Tony Book was the manager in 1977-78. After the way Mancini's men have started this season it would be a massive surprise if they don't get a victory. They won't score 10 though.

Head-to-head

Manchester City are unbeaten in their last five games against Wigan, winning four of those matches.
The Latics won their first two Premier League games away to City, in 2005-06 and 2006-07. However, they have failed to score on their subsequent four visits to Eastlands (D1, L3).

Manchester City

Edin Dzeko has netted six league goals this season. Only three Premier League teams have bettered that total - Bolton, Manchester United, and City themselves.
Samir Nasri created three goals against Tottenham. He was only credited with one Premier League assist throughout the 2010-11 season.
City have won their last six league games, their best run in the top flight since winning seven in a row in the 1977-78 season.

Wigan

The Latics are unbeaten in seven Premier League games - their longest run since a nine-match streak from August to November 2005.
The last time Wigan were undefeated after their opening three league games was the 2004-05 season, when Paul Jewell's side won promotion from the second tier.
Franco Di Santo doubled his total number of Premier League goals by scoring twice against QPR. He has netted four times in 58 top-flight matches for Chelsea, Blackburn and Wigan.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14773043.stm

 

wigan 0- 2 man city should kick us with there team but you never know

 

I never make predictions as they have a habit of biting you on the arse, on paper we should win but as the man said "its a funny old game"

 

i hope it does

 

Team news -

Hart, Richards, Kompany (c), Lescott, Clichy, Yaya, Milner, A. Johnson, Silva, Aguero, Tevez

Subs - Kolo, Dzeko, Balotelli, Zabaleta, Razak, Pantilimon, Nasri

 

Simply outclassed, 500m squad v 30m squad. No shame in losing 3-0, most teams will lose by more than 3 goals. As bad as that sounds, that's how things are right now in the Premier League. Games against Everton etc are far more important.

 

You have so many fans on here. Massive club.

 

who wigan we have 15 fans which isnt that shabim proud of the boys we cant affored the 4th string strikers of city thats how different the teams are

 

Wigan I think it was aimed at City not you, he is just another sad wumming rag who thinks the fan base of a clus is the be all and end all, as has been said many times 90% of the rags fans are plastics and have never been to a game, but if that's what floats his boat let him have his 2 seconds of fame.

 

It's Ironic that Man City's aim is to gain a global fanbase yet they ridicule Man Utd for already having that.

 

The difference is we know our new fans are plastics you lot would have us believe the majority of your fans are not plastics, re-read the hate man united thread below, the quote from it sums it up nicely.

http://www.not606.com/showthread.php/84287-Why-do-you-hate-Man-Utd?highlight=hate manchester united

As this is now well off topic and is only going to turn into yet another argument - Closed.