Match Preview: Manchester City vs Leeds United

Under pressure?
Photo: Scott Heavey/Getty Images Europe

Mancini is up for the cup!

By Aaron Leggott

City boss Roberto Mancini is expected to make a number of changes ahead of the critical FA Cup clash at home to Leeds tomorrow.

Mancini, who was less than impressed after last weekend's abysmal performance at St Mary's, knows that this competition must be taken seriously with United extending the gap at the top of the league to 12 points.

The Italian has also rubbished rumours that he could be set to be sacked if City fail to beat the Championship side on Sunday afternoon.

With Vincent Kompany still suffering from a calf strain picked up during City's fourth round win at the Britannia, it is expected that Matija Nastasic will come into the squad to partner Joleon Lescott at the heart of City's defence.

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 Reflection: Manchester City 2 - 2 Liverpool

Aguero saves City blushes but is it good enough?

By Aaron Leggott

Yesterday's draw at home to Liverpool was a result which has helped put title rivals Manchester United in a great position to steal the title away from us.

Obviously, anything is possible and as we saw last season, City are always capable of pushing United right until the end and hopefully we see some of the same form that won us the league last year.

Not good enough: Yesterday's draw see's us lose vital ground in title race
Photo: Alex Livesey.Getty Images Europe

At the moment though, we are a long way off that level and the draw against Liverpool just proved it. In all honesty, Liverpool were unlucky to go away with just a point, and it was us who were indeed the fortunate ones.

A spectacular goal from Sergio Aguero helped save our blushes and keep the gap between us and United at nine points, but it is a difference that I really can't see us making up.

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.