It's a difficult time for both clubs involved in this match. Whilst City look down on the rest of their Premier League competitors, we have lost two consecutive matches for the first time in three years, which is a staggering stat. The latest defeat came at home to Liverpool on Wednesday night - where a Steven Gerrard penalty separated the sides in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi final.
Wigan's circumstances are much different. Sitting second bottom in the league, they have now gone five games without a win and it is a worrying stat for the Latics' faithful, whom have just seen their side win once at the DW Stadium this season.
As strange as it sounds, maybe City are therefore good opposition for the home side. Whilst it will never be easy to stop such a talented line-up from scoring, Mancini's men have yet to win away from home since a 3-2 victory back at the start of November, which is becoming a worry for many spectators. When playing stronger opposition, Martinez's team seem to rally round each other and perform beyond what is expected of them - and with a depleted crowd behind them, you could never know what happens.
But the odds are certainly against them. With David Silva expected to return from an ankle injury which kept him out of the midweek game against Liverpool, City can make it five wins in a row against Wigan with victory on Monday. If Joe Hart keeps a clean sheet, then it will also be five consecutive games that City have kept Wigan at bay.
Both sides made a quick exit from the FA Cup last weekend, but Wigan's was far more spectacular than City's. A trip down south to Swindon resulted in an unhappy journey back home for the Latics', as Paolo di Canio continues to do wonders for The Robins, who defeated Wigan 2-1.
City are four goals away from reaching the total tally of goals they made in the whole of last season, which is an incredible feat from Mancini, who was regularly criticised after some of his team's perceived negative performances during the campaign.
However, things have changed dramatically. They have become more patient as a team, and rarely start to panic. Not a good sign for Wigan considering their abysmal record when going into the last 15 minutes. They have conceded 11 goals in this period of the game, which is the worst in the league.
Realistically, you can't see beyond City in this fixture. Whilst the last couple of months have been tough ones for the Blues, you'd expect them to grab a much needed at the DW Stadium, especially with the return of their Spaniard Magician in midfield.
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| Aguero was typically in lethal form in the reverse fixture at the Etihad |
As strange as it sounds, maybe City are therefore good opposition for the home side. Whilst it will never be easy to stop such a talented line-up from scoring, Mancini's men have yet to win away from home since a 3-2 victory back at the start of November, which is becoming a worry for many spectators. When playing stronger opposition, Martinez's team seem to rally round each other and perform beyond what is expected of them - and with a depleted crowd behind them, you could never know what happens.
But the odds are certainly against them. With David Silva expected to return from an ankle injury which kept him out of the midweek game against Liverpool, City can make it five wins in a row against Wigan with victory on Monday. If Joe Hart keeps a clean sheet, then it will also be five consecutive games that City have kept Wigan at bay.
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| Wigan come into this game in some bad form, the latest defeat against Swindon |
City are four goals away from reaching the total tally of goals they made in the whole of last season, which is an incredible feat from Mancini, who was regularly criticised after some of his team's perceived negative performances during the campaign.
However, things have changed dramatically. They have become more patient as a team, and rarely start to panic. Not a good sign for Wigan considering their abysmal record when going into the last 15 minutes. They have conceded 11 goals in this period of the game, which is the worst in the league.
Realistically, you can't see beyond City in this fixture. Whilst the last couple of months have been tough ones for the Blues, you'd expect them to grab a much needed at the DW Stadium, especially with the return of their Spaniard Magician in midfield.
3-0 to City and everything back on track. Win the next two games and we will be 8 ahead of Spurs ..... Two Horse race if that's the case!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt would certainly be nice if that was the case this time next Sunday!
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