Match Preview: Southampton vs Manchester City

The return of the Toure brothers...

By Aaron Leggott

Last weekend's draw at home to Liverpool put a huge dent in City's hopes to retain the Premier League title, as the gap between the sides was stretched to nine points.

It has created a similar situation to the one we put ourselves in last season, where our defeat at the Emirates Stadium on Easter Sunday made winning the league almost impossible. 

Roberto Mancini and his backroom staff know that they have to approach every game with a must-win mentality if we are to pip our rivals to the title for the second consecutive season. 

Match Preview: Manchester City vs Liverpool

City hope to put poor midweek result behind them

By Aaron Leggott

It hasn't been the best of weeks to be a Manchester City fan. After the departure of Mario Balotelli to his boyhood club left City with only three recognised strikers ahead of the trip to Loftus Road on Tuesday. 

And to make matters worse, all three were unable to put any potential doubts to the back of City fans minds, as Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Carlos Tevez all failed to find the net.

With the game finishing 0-0, it was an extremely poor result with title rivals Manchester United winning the day after at home to Southampton, extending the gap at the top to seven points. 

There is a good chance that City will go into this game 10 points behind United if the league leaders grab a win at Craven Cottage this evening and Roberto Mancini knows that there can't be many more slip ups if City are to retain the Premier League, and the Italian will be hoping his team can bounce back against Liverpool this weekend.

Match Preview: Stoke vs Manchester City

Can City end a run of draws at the Britannia?

By Aaron Leggott

Photo: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images Europe

Speculation regarding the future of Mario Balotelli has been the most newsworthy information coming out of the Etihad Stadium this week, with reports heavily linking him to his boyhood club, AC Milan.

However, with his agent quick to deny any move for the Italian, it seems that Balotelli is set to stay put at City at least until the end of the season.

Along with the rumours that Txiki Begiristain wants Roberto Mancini to move towards the infamous 4-3-3 formation used consistently by Txiki's former club Barcelona, there has been less of a focus on this weekends FA Cup tie at the Britannia Stadium.

The two sides meet in the competition for the first time since Yaya Toure won Manchester City the trophy at Wembley in May 2011, and the Potters will be looking for some revenge to that disappointing day in the capital.

Match Preview: Manchester City vs Watford

Our FA Cup journey starts with a tricky tie...

By Archie Barnett

The FA Cup campaign starts for Manchester City against an opposition that are being classed as somewhat underdogs in this encounter, but they should not be underestimated. The Citizens come into this clash on the back of a 3-0 victory over Stoke City, whereas Watford were unable to repeat the same scoreline, after losing 4-3 against Charlton Athletic.

City vs Stoke: Match Preview

Premier event before Real deal

By Dave Walker

As a summer of outstanding UK sporting success draws to a close Manchester City will be hoping that it won’t be a case of Rule Britannia when they travel to face Tony Pulis’ ‘pugilists’ from the Potteries.

The exciting escapades of Andy Murray, Bradley Wiggins and Team GB will be the last thing in the minds of Roberto Mancini’s men as they take on the hostile surroundings of the Britannia Stadium, and opponents renowned for their ‘fighting characteristics’.

One can but admire the tenacity of the home support and, with just four junctions of the M6 separating the two cities, it will be an especially intense affair.

City vs Bolton: Match Preview

By Aaron Leggott

Once again, City go into a fixture at the Etihad Stadium looking incredible favourites to stroll to victory. The Blues, who don't expect Carlos Tevez to return to full match fitness for at least another fortnight, are now just one victory off 19 successive home league wins, a record which will match a one made by Manchester United in October.

There is nothing but positivity being transmitted around the club at the moment. Whilst United are trying their best to play their usual mind games, City are deciding to do their talking on the pitch, and in an impressive fashion as well. February was a very kind month for the Blues, as we won every game, scoring 13 and conceding just one goal - a great return for any title ambitions we hold.

The same can't be said about our visitors for tomorrow though. Whilst the Wanderers have had a good cup run, their league form has been totally the opposite. Without a win in three, their chances of stopping this run are unlikely, especially considering they haven't even scored in their last three away games.

Added to this, City are unbeaten in their last six games against the Trotters, and haven't conceded a goal at the Etihad against Owen Coyle's men since December 2007 in a 4-2 victory.

So, as you can imagine, both stats and common sense point towards City in this fixture. Owen Coyle is adamant that his side will "try to be positive" but that's much easier said than done at the Etihad this season. With both Kevin and Mark Davies doubts, the situation isn't eased on the under pressure Scottish boss.

It is certain to be an entertaining encounter, with both sides having something to play for. However, I only expect one outcome from this match, which is a very straight forward City win.

3-0 to the Blues.

City vs Tottenham: Match Preview

City go into this game five points ahead of their opponents, who could only manage a draw at home to struggling Wolves last weekend. City, on the other hand, strengthened their title bid with victory at the DW Stadium, as they overcame Roberto Martinez's Wigan Athletic.

Dzeko was inspirational in the reverse fixture
last August

City vs Wigan: Match Preview

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.

Aguero was typically in lethal form in the
reverse fixture at the Etihad

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.

Wigan come into this game in some bad form, the
latest defeat against Swindon

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. 

City vs Liverpool: Match Preview

The Christmas period has been one that everyone connected with City will want to forget. After picking up just four points from a possible nine, it is a poor return and it has led pundits to believe that City are starting to crumble under the pressure.

Three key players? Barry, Aguero and
Dzeko need to perform tomorrow if they play

Manchester City vs Stoke City: Match Preview

They say that there are games which define a team's season and it seems like last Sunday was one of them games for Manchester City. After a recent Champions League exit and succumbing to their first defeat of the campaign, Sunday's game against Arsenal was a must win fixture to help keep top spot coming into a very busy Christmas period.

Silva celebrates netting City's 50th goal of the season

It was possibly one of the most entertaining games of the season, and is proving why the games between the big teams are starting to give a good picture of the quality of this league.

However, many expect that tonight's game against FA Cup runners up Stoke City will be much more straight forward for the Blues. 2011 has been a great year for Manchester City, especially at home, where they have dropped just two points, which was against Fulham earlier this year.

So, with all this taken into context, it would be a great shock if Stoke could pull of a positive result here tonight. The home side have been in scintillating form so far this season whilst Stoke's form has been very inconsistent due to their participation in the Europa League, evidenced by heavy defeats at Sunderland and Bolton.

The worrying news for Stoke fans is that they are facing a team that have scored 50 goals in 16 games, which was last matched 49 years ago. And when you have conceded at least three goals on more than five occasions, you have to worry for the away side if the league leaders get an early goal.

Man City will be boosted by the news that Gael Clichy returns from his suspension, but he will have to perform well after Pablo Zabaleta's man of the match performance against Arsenal when he filled the void left by Clichy. Edin Dzeko is also expected to start after shaking off the knock he picked up in training.

Stoke's defence will be significantly weaker tonight, as captain Ryan Shawcross misses out due to picking up five yellow cards this season, whilst Vincent Kompany is set to make his 150th appearance for Manchester City.

Stoke are also missing Glenn Whealan and Andy Wilkinson, both of whom have been very influential for the Potters this season.

One player City will have to watch out for is Peter Crouch, who is one goal away from 100 career goals, and his presence will certainly be felt by City's backline. Can Stoke City make it five wins in a row in the Premier League and create a new club record? It seems unlikely.

Match Preview: Bolton Wanderers vs Manchester City

Competition: Premier League
Time: 4pm GMT
Venue: Reebok Stadium