Friday 17 May 2013

Match Preview: Reading vs Manchester City

City hope to bounce back after difficult weekend

By Aaron Leggott

Cup final defeats and managerial departures are just two of the things that wouldn't seem out of place at Manchester City, as the tag of "Typical City" came to rear it's ugly head these past few days in Manchester.

Of course, the misery started at Wembley on Saturday following a shock defeat in the FA Cup final as Wigan fully deserved to lift the trophy. A lot of people pointed to the leaking of Roberto Mancini's impending departure as to the reason for the defeat, and the Italian eventually left his post as manager of Manchester City last night.

Gutted: A tough weekend for all...
Official MCFC Facebook

It has left Brian Kidd as the stand in gaffer for the remaining two games, with the first a trip to the Madejski Stadium to play already relegated Reading.

City know that a win or draw will secure second place and they will hope to put a smile on the fans faces following a troubling week.

After their relegation fears were confirmed last month, Reading are playing like a team without any worries and following their 4-2 win at Craven Cottage last weekend, they will be hoping to inflict even more misery upon the shoulders of Manchester City to claim back to back victories in the Premier League for only the second time this season.

Below are highlights of the previous encounter between the sides this season:





My thoughts

It has been an extremely disappointing week for the club and I am personally let down by the way Roberto Mancini was treated in his final days as manager of Manchester City.

Hal Robson Kanu celebrates at Craven Cottage
Official Reading Facebook
Whoever leaked the news that he was set to be sacked on the eve of the FA Cup final should be extremely ashamed of themselves because at the end of the day - that was one of the main reasons why we didn't turn up against Wigan.

You can imagine it will be difficult for Brian Kidd to lift the players following the events of this weekend, so perhaps a trip to already relegated Reading will be exactly what the staff were hoping for.

In fairness, Nigel Adkins has got the Royals playing some good football following the confirmation of relegation last month - proven by the win at Fulham last weekend.

There is a feeling amongst Berkshire that he is exactly the person that Reading need to bounce straight back up, and following their secure financial status, there is no reason why they shouldn't be amongst the favourites for promotion.

However, you'd hope that City will come back stronger following Mancini's departure and record a win against Reading to secure second.

Prediction: Reading 0 - 2 City



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(c) The Sky Blue View 2013

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