City embark on uncharted waters as they hold the mantle for the rest of ninety one professional clubs in England as being the only club to still hold a 100% home record. That record I am sure will be severely tested today when Bolton come to visit the City of Manchester stadium.
ormer City midfielder Gary Megson has forged Bolton into a side much more akin to the likeness of one that Big Sam Alladyce managed since he took over from the totally inept managerial skills of little Sam.
ot only is Megson forged a far better work ethic from his side, but he has the forward talismatic skills of former City star forward, Nicolas Anelka to call on. If City can keep Nico quiet then they should have a good chance of upholding that distinguished record.
Vital Quotes:
Sven talked about Bolton playing to their strengths as they come to games with a more physical side, but would not be drawn any further on that issue.
Manchester City Team News:
City will be without the suspended Stephen ‘Superman’ Ireland as he starts his three match ban due to his justified straight red card he received at White Hart Lane last Sunday.
ity have the services of Didi Hamann to call on again after he served his one match suspension last week.
here is still some doubt as to whether Elano is fully match fit and if he isn’t, will that mean that City might line up in a four four two formation and play Rolando Bianchi and either Darius Vassell or Emile Mpenza alongside him. Or will Sven pack the midfield with Geovanni, Gelson and Kelvin Etuhu all vying for that spare midfield place.
Player to watch: Rolando Bianchi
After that bullet header at Tottenham last Sunday he has a lot to prove to the home faithful that he is worth starting for a run of games.
Bolton Wanderers Team News:
Gary Megson has no new injury worries and is set to field an unchanged side from the team that beat Wigan 4-1.
efenders Andy O’Brien and Nicky Hunt should keep their places, as should Danny Guthrie and Kevin Nolan.
Player to watch: Nicolas Anelka
He may look quite lazy on occasions but he has top quality skills in abundance and invariably scores the harder goal, but is not as good on those one on one situations.
Match Facts & Stats
City and Bolton have a completely even record against each other in the Premiership and Bolton just edge the overall meetings record by one more victory. But more interestingly Bolton have won at the City of Manchester Stadium on the last three occasions a trend that Sven will hope to reverse.
Ref Watch:
Peter Walton. This will be his second City game this season. His first was at West Ham where we won two nil, but he did proceed to book four of our players.
Match Prediction:
I really want to say that City will win this one, but I feel a one all result is shouting out at me with City scoring first and Anelka equalizing. 1-1.
Next Fixtures:
City at home to Tottenham in the league cup quarter final on Tuesday night at the City of Manchester Stadium.