On Sky
City go into this game on the back of a four match unbeaten run, taking 10 points from 12, European form in anyone’s eyes. The question is, has Stuart Pearce and his squad got the nouse and quality to sustain similar form.
Vital Quotes:
Stuart Pearce talks about Blackburn’s qualities;
“I expect good organisation, very high work ethic and a typical Mark Hughes Blackburn performance. I don`t expect there to be a great deal in the game between us and them”
“While I can`t see us dominating Blackburn either, we`ve got to make sure we`re a bit more aggressive in our manner.
“They are going to be hard to play against and we know we have to put the work in if we are to get anything out of the game. There is a lot of talent in the Blackburn team and Benni McCarthy is scoring goals.”
Mark Hughes talks about his side and what City hold in prospect for them;
‘Certainly last time out at Everton we played exceptionally well, so we are going to have to hit those levels again if we are to get something out of the Manchester City game.’
‘They are very solid at the moment defensively, they’ve got a lot of power and pace and are difficult to break down.
‘Maybe they don’t create as many chances as they would like to and maybe we can capitalise on that, but they are picking up points because they are defensively very sound.
Manchester City Team News:
Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton misses the match through suspension and Nedum Onuoha and Hatem Trabelsi remain doubtful because of hamstring problems.
Sun Jihai and Dietmar Hamann could come into contention after injury.
City still have Danny Mills out with a long term injury. Also City have lost the services of Ben Thatcher after being sold to Charlton Athletic last week.
City will also be without the services of Paul Dickov who will be out for at least 6 weeks having undergone surgery on an injured toe.
Player to watch: Stephen Ireland
Should he start, which is highly likely with Barton being out suspended and he plays like he did in the second half against Sheffield Wednesday then he could split the Blackburn defence like a hot knife through butter.
Blackburn Rovers Team News:
ast Updated: Friday, 19 January 2007, 07:11 GMT
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an City v Blackburn
anchester City v Blackburn
City of Manchester Stadium
aturday, 20 January
ick-off: 1715 GMT
overage on the BBC Sport website, BBC Radio Five Live & highlights on MOTD
Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton misses the match through suspension and Nedum Onuoha and Hatem Trabelsi remain doubtful because of hamstring problems.
Sun Jihai and Dietmar Hamann could come into contention after injury.
Blackburn midfielder David Bentley is back from a ban, but Paul Gallagher remains doubtful with a groin injury.
New recruit David Dunn may have to wait for his chance to don Rovers colours again as he builds up his fitness after returning to the club from Birmingham.
Player to watch: Benni McCarthy
Has scored 9 goals in the premiership and 13 in total this season including one at Ewood park against City.
Match Facts & Stats
City have only managed one premiership victory in recent years and that was August 2003 at Ewood park, most games have ended as draws since apart from our last two meetings.
Ref Watch:
Phil Dowd – quite a card happy ref – having gone through the whole of last season without a card free game at at the Liverpool derby he booked 10 and sent off 2,however he has the distinction this season of recording 2 games without a card, so who knows. We have seen him once this year, Wigan away – booking just Hamann – but of course we lost the game 4-0.
Match Prediction:
City to battle hard and to nick a 1-0 victory.
Next Fixtures:
Southampton at home – FA Cup 4th round – Sunday 28th 3pm kick off.