City make only their second away league trip of the season to a bottom half club. Wigan however have been a real nemesis to City since they came up to the Premiership three seasons ago and with the arrival of a new manager; it is bound to be a stern test for City’s aspirations.
Vital Quotes:
Speaking of the Wigan match, Eriksson said: ‘It is the worst moment to meet them as they have a new manager and are at home.’It is a big game, a difficult game and I have no idea what their formation will be. But Wigan are a better team than the table shows.
‘They did well against Arsenal. It was 83 minutes before Arsenal scored the first goal.’
He then goes on to talk about Heskey: ‘Heskey is a good player, very strong and very important to Wigan.
‘Before he got injured, he also played well for England. He is a very good man as well.’
Wigan Athletic FC Team News:
Former City player Michael Brown is suspended.
igan striker Emile Heskey is pushing for a starting spot at the JJB Stadium.
Winger Antonio Valencia sat out the defeat at Arsenal because of a knee problem but is expected to return for Steve Bruce’s first match in charge.
Player to watch: Emile Heskey
He likes scoring against City and as he showed in September for England he is a real handful and works hard for the team.
Manchester City FC Team News:
City’s linchpin Elano is definitely out with a hamstring problem.
hat leaves a space that Elano’s Brazilian counterpart Geovanni should fill quite well.
p front Mpenza is meant to be fit, but whether he will start in front of Bianchi or Samaras we shall have to wait and see.
arius Vassell, Michael Johnson and Nedum Onuoha are all sidelined through injury but Vedran Corluka has shaken off a knock.
ith Elano out and Johnson out, we might see Kelvin Etuhu promoted to the bench to add bit of pace and creativity to the four outfield substitutions.
Player to watch: Martin Petrov
He has great pace with a fine delivery. He also knows where the back of the net is with his hammer left foot.
Match Facts & Stats
Wigan and City have hardly met in the past in the league but it is Wigan that suprisingly hold the uper hand in terms of wins per game; winning 50% of all league meetings home and away.
ity might come up against former City man Antoine Sibierski or French Toni as he was affectionately at City; and we all know how City old boys tend to put a spanner in the works for the blues.
Ref Watch:
Mike Riley – the Yorkshireman who has a strong tendency to the red half of Manchester who rarely has an unbiased game when officiating the blues. His last outing for us was the six nil hammering at Stamford Bridge; I hope we do not get a simmilar score line tomorrow.
Match Prediction:
City to control possession but Wigan to force an equalizing goal as well.
WAFC 1 – 1 MCFC.
Next Fixtures:
City away to Tottingham Hotispurs next Saturday with a 3pm kick off.