Man City

Sunderland V Manchester City

Date & Kick-Off: Sunday, 1 January 2012 – 15:00 GMT

Venue: Stadium of Light

Preview

Without a win in three on their travels, Manchester City will happily turn to a fixture, and a ground, which has served them well over the years for a timely New Year boost – Sunderland away at the Stadium of Light. The Citizens have been victorious on four of their seven visits in the Premier League, losing just twice, and as the top flight’s leading scorers, both in general and on the road, bookmakers naturally expect them to comply, at what has clearly been a happy hunting ground for the Manchester club.

However, it should be noted that Roberto Mancini is yet to record a win at the Stadium of Light as Manchester City manager. In his first visit there, back in March 2010, the Italian was fortunate to see his side scrape a 1-1 draw, with winger Adam Johnson scoring in stoppage time to salvage a point. Meanwhile last season’s corresponding fixture ended in disaster; Darren Bent converting a last-gasp winner from the penalty spot to seal a rare home triumph for Sunderland in this fixture.

Furthermore, City’s Boxing Day goalless draw with West Brom at The Hawthorns meant it is now three without a win on the road for the big-spending Italian and his charges, who haven’t taken maximum points away from home in the league since 5 November.

Although their odds of victory would suggest they are primed to return to winning ways, this is by no means a formality for Man City. Their opponents this weekend are enjoying a renaissance of sorts under new manager Martin O’Neill, with the Black Cats registering seven points from their last four matches since the Northern Irishman’s arrival.

So, if anything, it is Sunderland who go into the game in high spirits. They should also be going into it with back-to-back home wins as well. Howard Webb’s blunder in the 1-1 draw with Everton on Boxing Day, when wrongly awarding the Merseyside club the chance to level from the spot, denied Martin O’Neill his second win as Sunderland boss at the Stadium of Light, which would have followed up his side’s impressive comeback victory over Blackburn earlier in December.

As it is, Sunderland are looking to bounce back from the disappointment sustained at home to Everton and must do so without several first-team personnel. Ominously, ahead of the visit of the Premier League’s most prolific travellers, Martin O’Neill is set to be without defenders Phil Bardsley, Michael Turner and Titus Bramble, while there are also doubts over Kieran Richardson’s availability, with the versatility player suffering from illness.

Manchester City’s chief, Roberto Mancini, doesn’t have anywhere near the same problems. In fact, City take almost a clean bill of health with them to Wearside, with Carlos Tevez their only confirmed absentee – for obvious reasons.

Match Pointers

In their previous 14 Premier League meetings Sunderland have won only once, there has been just one draw while Manchester City have triumphed on no fewer than 11 occasions – though it was Sunderland who won last season’s corresponding fixture at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland have lost just one of their previous seven league matches at home (W2 D4 L1) and would have made it back-to-back home wins under Martin O’Neill had it not been for a dubious penalty given against them in their 1-1 Boxing Day draw with Everton.

After winning five of their opening six away league games, Man City find themselves without an away win in three following draws at Liverpool (1-1) and West Brom (0-0) as well as losing 2-1 to title rivals Chelsea (2-1).

The Citizens have, however, kept clean sheets in each of their previous three matches, against Arsenal, Stoke and West Brom.

No team has plundered more goals away from home this season than Manchester City (25), who had scored a minimum of two goals in every away game before embarking on this three-match winless away run of theirs.

Betting

On current form, Sunderland should give the favourites a run for their money. There’s a new boss in town in the shape of fan-favourite Martin O’Neill and he hasn’t wasted any time getting those Wearside slackers into shape, taking more points in his first four games in charge than former Black Cat Steve Bruce managed in his final nine outings. But their lack of familiar faces at the back could prove their downfall.

There isn’t a worse time to be without key defenders, than before a crucial meeting with league leaders Manchester City, a team whose forward prowess has left many this season seeing stars. They are the league’s top scorers with 53 goals in 18 games, 25 of which have come from just nine away outings. But they’ve stumbled recently, failing to win any of their previous three league matches away from Eastlands – though all three were tricky outings.

Like I said, on current form this may have been a close-run thing. But I must stress the ‘may’ part. Even had Martin O’Neill had the luxury of picking from a fully fit squad, squeezing anything out of this fixture would have been excruciatingly difficult. Without a number of key men at the back, and with their only fit and available recognised striker failing to inspire, with Nicklas Bendtner very hit and miss this season, I am seriously devoid of any confidence in the home side.

Manchester City aren’t the greatest odds for an away side, but they’ll do for me on this occasion.

Recommended Bet: Manchester City to WIN – 4/7 WilliamHill

Value Bet: Over 3.5 Goals (4 or More) – 2/1 WilliamHill

Match Odds

Sunderland – 6/1 BetFred

Draw – 10/3 Boylesports

Manchester City – 4/7 WilliamHill

Chelsea V Manchester City

Date & Kick-Off: Monday, 12 December 2011 – 20:00 GMT

Venue: Stamford Bridge

Preview

Manchester City have a truly awful record away to Chelsea in the league, losing on eight of their last nine visits, but have fared brilliantly away to their rivals this season. A fortnight ago they negotiated Liverpool at Anfield, earning a creditable draw, while no-one will ever forget the 6-1 drubbing handed out to arch rivals United at Old Trafford back in October. So how will Roberto Mancini’s team of Premier League record breakers handle Andre Villas-Boas’ resurgent charges at Stamford Bridge?

It really is a tantalising prospect: a Chelsea team buoyed by their progress in the Champions League going up against the current Premier League pacesetters, a Man City side who didn’t quiet make the grade in Europe this season but have set the benchmark back home by winning 12 of their first 14 league matches in a simply stunning unbeaten sequence. Few have been able to get anywhere near them, so being the first is a genuine incentive for everyone.

According to a tempestuous Andre Villas-Boas, defeat on Monday is inconceivable. Chelsea kick-off proceedings ten points behind the long-time leaders, an already worrying deficit that would grow to thirteen with a fifth loss of the campaign. Disconcertingly, ahead of a fixture they dare not lose but really have to be winning if they’re to remain genuine title contenders, the Blues have lost three of their last four domestic fixtures at Stamford Bridge – though their last match there was Wednesday’s 3-0 defeat of Valencia which sealed qualification to the knockouts of the Champions League. The perfect tonic, perhaps?

Despite holding sway at the summit, Roberto Mancini believes it is too early to be claiming the Premier League is there’s to lose. Nevertheless, it is they who are favourites to go in at Christmas top of the pile, that is provided they don’t slip-up at either Chelsea, on Monday, or at home to Arsenal, the following weekend, beforehand. The Citizens are also under a bit of pressure following United’s comfortable win over Wolves on Saturday, which reduced City’s lead to just two points. It will shoot back up to five however with a rare triumph in West London, a region they’ve found problematic this season having edged out QPR at Loftus Road but only conjuring a draw at Fulham.

Chelsea

League Position: 5th

League Form: LWLWW

It has been described as a must-not-lose fixture by Andre Villas-Boas, Chelsea’s former Mr. Cool who has rapidly turned into Mr. Cranky. But if Chelsea are to convince themselves that they are genuine title contenders, let alone everybody else, then victory over the league leaders is a must. There is no which way about it, not with defeats to Arsenal, Liverpool and United hanging over them.

Funnily enough, despite seeing his team lose three of their previous four domestic fixtures at Stamford Bridge, bookmakers are confident the Portuguese tactician can masterminded the demise of the so far infallible Man City. The Blues are 6/4 favourites to triumph in the Monday night fixture and follow up Wednesday’s success in the Champions League over Valencia, when a 3-0 win at the Bridge was enough to send the Blues through to the last-16 as group winners.

However, Arsenal and Liverpool have both gone to Chelsea this season and scored goals with an element of ease, and both left victorious. Liverpool did twice in the space of a fortnight in fact. Now some might say that’s ominous ahead of the visit of the most prolific team in Premier League history at this stage of the season, with the Citizens having netted 48 times so far – 13 more than the next best, which is United, and 17 more than Chelsea have mustered.

Nevertheless the Blues are in the ascendency, winning their last two matches 3-0. That’s back-to-back clean sheets for a defence which will be handed the sternest of examinations on Monday, while they did also win their last Premier League home game by the scoreline, although read into that what you will, as it was against lowly Wolves.

Team News: After picking up his fifth caution of the season at Newcastle last time out in the league, David Luiz will serve a one-match suspension for the visit of Man City. Branislav Ivanovic should switch to centre-back with Jose Bosingwa filling at right-back. Frank Lampard didn’t feature at all against Valencia and may lost out again as Villas-Boas opts to remain a dynamic midfield three of Oriel Romeu, Raul Meireles and Ramires. Didier Drogba, who scored twice against the La Liga outfit, will spearhead the Chelsea attack with Fernando Torres once again consigned to a place on the bench.

Manchester City

League Position: 1st

League Form: WWWDW

Compared with where their opponents sit in the league, it is almost laughable to suggest Manchester City, the long-time leaders of the Premier League, are under any meaningful pressure heading into Monday’s mouthwatering clash at Stamford Bridge. Yet they are. Their lead at the top has been cut right down to size over the weekend, with United now within striking distance. There is also the not so small matter of overcoming the disappointment sustained from their failure to qualify for the last-16 of the Champions League.

Playing an in-form Liverpool at Anfield on 27 November was a true test of their resolve. You could argue that they passed, just, after grounding out a hard-fought 1-1 draw. But they were by no means convincing. That result maintained a pattern for City, whose form domestically has suffered immediately after European heartache. Their 2-2 draw at Fulham came right on the back of a disappointing 1-1 home draw with Napoli, while their laborious display at Anfield came off the back of their 2-1 loss in Naples.

Now, City didn’t slump to a defeat in midweek. In fact they beat a much-changed Bayern Munich very easily in Manchester, winning 2-0. But with Napoli’s win over Villarreal confirming their elimination from the tournament, that Bayern triumph will have felt a lot like a loss. Some how they must find a way to keep their emotions in check, as Stamford Bridge – where they’ve won only once in their last thirteen league visits – is where it could potentially all unravel.

Away from my observations, City do appear exceptional value on paper. They have scored goals for absolute fun in the league this season, including six at Old Trafford, averaging 3 a game away from home. Only Liverpool can match their defensive prowess, with both having shipped just 13 goals. While they remain the only undefeated side in the Premier League.

However, the cracks are starting to appear, especially in this joint-strongest defence of theirs; Joe Hart, who needed to produce a goalkeeping master-class at Anfield to keep his side’s imperious domestic run in tact, has now gone seven league games without a clean sheet. Moreover, City have found this particular region of the capital problematic, having struggled to break QPR’s resolve – eventually winning 3-2 – but failing with Fulham – drawing 2-2 at Craven Cottage.

Team News: Micah Richards is doubtful after sitting out Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat of Bayern Munich in the Champions League with a calf injury, with Montenegrin defender Stefan Savic deployed as a makeshift full-back. However with Pablo Zabaleta back fit, Mancini could opt to draft in the Argentinian at right-back. Edin Dzeko was very disappointing in that game and could lose his place to Mario Balotelli, the Italian who has seven goals in his last nine Premier League appearances. Alexsandar Kolarov is out injured.

Match Pointers

- Three of the last four league meetings between the two sides ended in victory for Manchester City, although the Citizens have only been victorious on two of their fourteen visits to Stamford Bridge in the Premier League (W2 D2 L10).

- Manchester City have failed to score on eight of their last nine visits to Chelsea in the league, though the only team they did manage to find the goal they did so on four occasions and ended up winning the fixture (won 2-4 back in February 2010).

- Chelsea have won five of seven league games at Stamford Bridge this season (W5 D0 L2), however the visit of Wolves on 26 November saw the Blues keep only their first home clean sheet of the campaign, conceding 11 in total on their own patch.

- Daniel Sturridge has scored in each of Chelsea’s previous three league matches and is Andre Villas-Boas’ leading marksmen for the tern with seven goals.

- Manchester City have made the best start to a season by any side in Premier League history, winning 12 of their first 14 games without losing any (W12 D2 L0).

- The Citizens have only kept one clean sheet on the road, which came at lowly Blackburn on 1 October.

- Sergio Aguero has only made 13 Premier League appearances so far but has 11 goals to his name.

Betting

The fact City have underperformed in West London so far this season may be a load of superstitious old nonsense, even though it is a fact. Even so, it doesn’t bode well. The superior West London outfit await them on Monday, at a venue where their record in the Premier League is retched, and with the Blues reinvigorated following back-to-back 3-0 wins – the latter an impressive victory over Valencia which secured progress in the Champions League – I’m expecting the hosts to match a still undefeated in the league Man City stride for stride.

In recent games, Chelsea have looked so much more balanced. Having several defensive-minded players in the team has certainly helped, as has limiting David Luiz’s offensive duties. The Brazilian is unavailable for this game, which could be a blessing in itself as it means John Terry will marshal a flat back-four.

Daniel Sturridge has also come into his own on the right, complimenting the powerful Didier Drogba who is proving he still has all the necessary attributes to score pivotal goals for the Blues, like the two he scored against Valencia during the week. There will also be some huge names on the Chelsea bench, which means Villas-Boas has options should his team require a goal late on.

Personally I make City slight favourites. Their domestic form has been sublime while the thought of setting up a team to contain Yaya Toure, David Silva, Sergio Aguero and Mario Baloteli is a frightening prospect. However, they haven’t quite been their imperious selves in recent weeks, particularly in defence, and came to within a whisker of relinquishing their unbeaten record away at Liverpool in their most recent testing encounter. Meanwhile Chelsea are playing with some renewed vigour and confidence and are another opponent who won’t be easy to blow over.

Prediction: Draw – 12/5 bWin

Value Bet: 1-1 Draw – 6/1 WilliamHill

Match Odds

Chelsea – 6/4 Bet365

Draw – 12/5 bWin

Manchester City – 9/5 PaddyPower

Manchester City V Norwich City

Date & Kick-Off: Saturday, 3 December – 15:00 GMT

Venue: Ewood Park

Preview

Manchester City have been too good for just about everyone this season – in most cases, several goals too good – wading in with a staggering 43 goals as they smashed the previous best start to a Premier League season by winning eleven and losing none of their first thirteen fixtures. The general consensus is that they’ll add a few more to their tally this weekend, both points and goals, as they welcome mid-table Norwich to the Etihad Stadium seeking a twelfth consecutive home league win.

A monumental ask then for the Canaries, who have only won one of their previous 36 away top flight matches. Had this been at Carrow Road then maybe, a shock may have stood a chance. Having said that, Norwich have given a very good account of themselves at some daunting grounds already this season, going down fighting at Chelsea (3-1) and Manchester United (2-0) while they even earned a hard-fought point at Anfield against Liverpool.

So, is it asking too much of Norwich to ground out a result on Saturday? I can think of several teams who’ll be cheering them on. Because of the way they play, which is basically on the front foot, you know they do have goals in them. Defensively, however, you feel they may be overwhelmed by a team which has averaged around four goals a game this season. We suspect goalkeeper John Ruddy will be one of the busiest men in the Premier League between the sticks.

A crucial period of the season awaits Manchester City, according to their manager Roberto Mancini, who feels his side are thee team to beat right now. He does have a point, though he is stating the bleeding obvious. The Citizens sit atop of the Premier League on 35 points, five clear of defending champions United, hence why everybody is after their scalp. But so far, with thirteen games of the season gone, nobody has managed to claim it.

Liverpool, at Anfield last weekend, came the closest to doing so. The Reds battered City on Merseyside, despite conceding the opening goal midway through the second half, and had it not been for some goalkeeping heroics from Joe Hart late on, City’s sixteen-game unbeaten Premier League run (W14 D2) would have come to an abrupt end. Both Arsenal and Chelsea will have their turns over the next fortnight.

Impressive stuff then from Man City, who were anything but during their midweek Carling Cup tie with Arsenal in North London – although Sergio Aguero’s late winner ensured City remained in the hunt for yet more silverware, to go with last season’s capture of the FA Cup. Now, Liverpool, over two legs, await Roberto Mancini & Co in what will be a humdinger of a tie.

The Italian did rest a host of players at Arsenal, mind, all of which will return for the visit of Norwich, including Mario Balotelli who served his suspension for seeing red at Anfield at the Emirates. Sergio Aguero playing for the best part of an hour means he’s likely to be omitted from the starting XI, but the likes of Joe Hart, Vincent Kompany, Joleon Lescott, Gareth Barry, Yaya Toure and David Silva will return, fresh for their absences on Tuesday.

As far as I am aware, Norwich boss Paul Lambert doesn’t have any fresh setbacks regarding injuries or suspensions, so it could be the same eleven which ended a four-game winless run with victory over QPR last weekend which tackle the league leaders in Manchester – though Lambert does like to shuffle his pack.

Match Pointers

- Manchester City (W11 D2 L0) have made the best ever start to a Premier League season by winning 11 of 13 in an unbeaten sequence, scoring 43 times and conceding just 12 in doing so. Their goal differential is a staggering +31.

- The Citizens have seldom come a cropper this season, on just two occasions in fact, and neither were at their Etihad Stadium in Manchester, where they’re currently on a run of eleven consecutive Premier League wins. You need to go way back to December of last year for their last home reverse.

- City have been at least two goals too good for opponents at home, winning all six matches in Manchester by at least a two-goal margin – I suppose you could make it seven if you include their 6-1 drubbing over Manchester United at Old Trafford, which was of course in Manchester.

- Norwich (W4 D4 L5) are up to tenth after winning their fourth game of the season last weekend. They have, however, managed just one win on their travels thus far (W1 D2 L3).

- The Canaries have won only one of their previous 36 matches away from home in the Premier League.

Betting

To their credit, Norwich haven’t been overawed this season. Against Chelsea and Manchester United, at Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford respectively, the Canaries gave a very good account of themselves and were extremely unfortunate not to take something away from both games. They play mainly on the front foot – which can be as much of a hindrance as a positive – so do cause teams problems. However it does need something special to unravel Manchester City’s defence, while Norwich require a miracle if they’re to be the first team since Liverpool back in April to stop Roberto Mancini’s side from scoring in the Premier League.

As tenacious as they are, this is too big an ask for Paul Lambert and Norwich. Manchester City are on a different level and I fully expect the gulf in class to show at the Etihad Stadium, where the hosts, who welcome back an influx of stars from the side which edged past Arsenal in midweek, are searching for their 12 consecutive Premier League victory.

Man City have been at least two goals too good for Premier League opposition at home this season, so backing the hosts with a handicap could be the way to go. Personally, I couldn’t rule out Norwich getting on the scoresheet, so both teams to score seems a logical punt.

Match Outcome: Manchester City to WIN – 1/5 Bet365

Value Bet: Both Teams to Score – 5/6 SkyBet

Match Odds

Manchester City – 1/5 Bet365

Draw – 13/2 VictorChandler

Norwich City – 16/1 StanJames

Liverpool V Manchester City

Date & Kick-Off: Sunday, 27 November 2011 – 16:00 GMT

Venue: Anfield

Preview

Neither Arsenal nor Chelsea could contend with King Kenny’s men. Defending champions Man Utd probably should have gone the say way. So how will Manchester City, the current league leaders, a team who have scored an unprecedented amount of goals and have only dropped two points all season, fare when they face the wrath of Liverpool in a fixture which hasn’t bore much fruit for them in previous campaigns.

In their last ten league visits to Anfield, Manchester City have only managed two draws. Their last win on Merseyside was way back in 2003, while last season, City slumped to a 3-0 loss in this fixture – the last occasion Roberto Mancini’s men failed to score in a Premier League match. In fact, they haven’t stopped scoring ever since, averaging almost four a game this season.

No doubt about it then – a huge test for both teams. Neither will be particularly excited at the prospect of facing each other, with both in blistering form, although recent results could have a significant bearing on who prospers in Sunday’s live Sky Sports’ encounter. Whereas hosts Liverpool go into the game full of confidence after slaying Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last week, Manchester City will be crushed following Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat to Napoli, which has left their hopes of reaching the latter stages of the competition in tatters.

A test of character perhaps for the commanding league leaders? There haven’t been too many of those this season. The one obvious one was their trip to Old Trafford for the Manchester derby. They ended up winning that at a canter, 6-1. Surely they won’t go to another iconic ground in English football and win handsomely?

Liverpool

League Position: 6th

League Form: DDWDW

Perhaps the pressure gets to them? The pressure of entertaining the masses, or even the expectancy which circulates amongst not only the fans, but the media as well before every should-win game. Whatever it is, Liverpool have seriously struggled against the smaller sides this season, dropping crucial points against the likes of Norwich, Sunderland and Swansea – all at home, too.

They’ve had no such problems against their main rivals, though, and on Sunday they’ll look to once again rise to the occasion when they welcome table-toppers Man City to Anfield aiming to repeat last season’s epic performance in the corresponding fixture back in April, when Andy Carroll scored his first goals for the club in a comprehensive 3-0 victory.

You’ll get massive odds on another 3-0 success for Kenny Dalglish & Co, mainly because it almost certainly won’t happen. But a Liverpool victory, whatever the final score, is by no means beyond the realms of possibility. The Reds are in decent form going into the game; unbeaten in their last eight, having lost just once at Anfield in their last 16 Premier League matches, and they will feel they are capable of anything after last week’s impressive win at Stamford Bridge over Chelsea.

I suspect Liverpool won’t be shy of friends at their current price, with the Reds installed as underdogs despite home advantage, and despite having already beaten Arsenal and Chelsea this season, both away from home, too. Manchester United were completely outplayed when they paid Anfield a visit last month, so who’s to say the Reds won’t claim another scalp – thee scalp right now – in leaders Manchester City, whom are the only Premier League team still to taste defeat.

Manchester City

League Position: 1st

League Form: WWWWW

Four days – the amount of time Man City have had to digest Tuesday’s horrific result in Naples. Will it prove enough? Are they ready to be thrust straight back into domestic action? Will the Premier League leaders, the team which has scored goals at a canter, battered teams for fun and won a record 11 of their opening 12 league fixtures, be in the right frame of mind for Sunday’s heavyweight billing at Anfield, where their record is lousy and their opponents are overflowing with confidence? I sure can’t wait to find out.

The biggest test of the season so far. That’s how I see this match for City. I wouldn’t say they’ve had it easy up till now, but they have only faced United in their opening twelve games, and for a team which has had a £300million+ overhaul in just three seasons, you’d expect nothing less than a string of routine wins.

These are the games where you lay down markers, gauntlets even, and if City dispatch Liverpool, a side they haven’t beaten at Anfield in their previous ten attempts, in the same manner as they did United, then what hope is there for the rest of the Premier League? It is, however, highly unlikely; Roberto Mancini’s will still be licking their wounds following Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat to Napoli in Italy, a result which leaves them on the cusp of dropping into the Europa League, while Liverpool will be buoyed by their recent success over Chelsea in London.

However, whether it’s been at home or away, City have won matches this season. The stature of their opponents hasn’t mattered either. Moreover, location has had absolutely no bearing whatsoever when it comes to scoring goals. In actual fact, 23 of the 42 goals Roberto Mancini’s men have scored in the league so far were netted on the road. Eleven of which were at Tottenham (5) and Manchester United (6), which is frightening when you think about it.

Incredible stuff, and partly why bookmakers have gone to town on installing the Citizens as favourites for Sunday’s game, even though their last victory over Liverpool on Merseyside was back in 2003.

Match Pointers

- Between 2005 and the present day, Manchester City have beaten Liverpool just once in the Premier League (W1 D5 L6).

- The last time Man City were victorious at Anfield was eight years ago, back in 2003 when a Nicolas Anelka brace sealed a 2-1 win; they’ve lost six of the subsequent eight Merseyside encounters since.

- Liverpool are unbeaten in seven in the league, winning four and drawing three.

- The only team to have recorded a Premier League win at Anfield in 2011 are Tottenham, back in May on the final day of last season, with that being Liverpool’s only home league defeat in 16 matches (W9 D6 L1).

- The Reds have drawn each of their previous three home league games, two by a 1-1 scoreline.

- Manchester City suffered their first defeat in ten in Naples on Tuesday, though they remain unbeaten since May in the Premier League, winning a staggering 14 of 15 since losing 2-1 at Everton on 7 May.

- The Citizens have won seven consecutive Premier League games, scoring 25 and conceding a miserly 6.

- No team has stopped City from scoring in 18 Premier League fixtures, since, coincidentally, Liverpool beat them 3-0 at Anfield back in April.

Betting

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has warned those on the periphery of the first-team not to disrupt the harmony of the team, and to keep any negative emotions in check. It comes after his decision to leave several high profile names on the bench for last week’s visit to Chelsea, with even vice-captain Jamie Carragher among those omitted.

Clearly price tags and reputations hold no bearing in the Liverpool dressing room, with Dalglish sticking to his policy of choosing the right players for the right occasion – which means we could see a few more changes on Saturday, as this fixture is like no other they have experienced so far this season.

In all the big games, Kenny Dalglish’s team-sheet and tactics have been spot-on. So you wonder what the Reds chief has up his sleeve for the visit of undefeated Man City. Whatever it may be, the fact is, he has masterminded both Arsenal and Chelsea’s demise, and so nearly Man Utd’s, and that should serve as some indication as to what both he and his team are capable of.

However, the thing about Manchester City is, they have the fire power to blow any team out of the water – as they did at Old Trafford and White Hart Lane to Man Utd and Tottenham respectively, two teams who just so happen to be second and third in the table. I genuinely don’t believe they’ll pull off something similarly extraordinary at Anfield against a team which has allowed the fewest shots on their own goal, but it is mighty difficult to oppose them nonetheless.

It almost seems strange to predict a low scoring affair when you consider the wealth of attacking talent that will be on show in both teams, but tactics could play a prominent role in this match, as both managers are full of respect for each other, and that should tell on the pitch. So, honours even at Anfield.

Match Outcome: Draw – 23/10 Ladbrokes

Value Bet: 1-1 Draw (Correct Score) – 6/1 Ladbrokes

Match Odds

Liverpool – 19/10 bWin

Draw – 23/10 Ladbrokes

Manchester City – 17/10 WilliamHill

Napoli V Manchester City

Date & Kick-Off: Tuesday, 22 November 2011 – 19:45 GMT

Venue: San Paolo

Preview

It is all fairly simple for Roberto Mancini and Manchester City – in principle. Victory in Naples on Tuesday and a last-16 berth is theirs. However, a win for Napoli and the Italians would seize the initiative in this pulsating race to finish second, behind Bayern Munich, in the group widely perceived as the ‘Group of Death’ – Group A.

In all likelihood, Bayern Munich will top Group A. Victory in Munich over bottom-placed Villarreal, the La Liga outfit who have lost every group game thus far, would leave the Germans needing only to avoid defeat on Match Day 6 away to Man City in order to seal qualification as section winners. There is, however, no formality over who finishes second.

With Villarreal already eliminated, the race for second is between Napoli and Manchester City – and that basically turns Tuesday’s clash into a straight knockout… sort of. While a loss for City, whom have only been beaten once in eighteen matches this season, wouldn’t finish them off, what it would do is leave them requiring an awful lot on the final match day. Victory, however, and they would go through to the next round no matter what happens on Match Day 6.

Defeat in Naples and City would have to beat Bayern Munich in two week’s time AND require Villarreal to pull something off at El Madrigal against Napoli. That’s a scenario Roberto Mancini will be keen to avoid, obviously. Even a draw would shroud their last-16 participation in doubt.

So this is a monumental fixture for the Citizens, the current leaders of the Barclay’s Premier League, comfortably so, and, arguably, thee in-form team in Europe right now. Saturday’s clinical 3-1 victory at home to Newcastle was Manchester City’s ninth in succession in all competitions. And this was without star man David Silva, who wasn’t introduced from the bench until the 69th minute. It’s also worth pointing out that City have now scored 33 goals during this sensational run of theirs, taking their tally in all competitions to a staggering 55.

Italian teams are renowned for their robust defending, and few right now are more astute defensively than Napoli. The men from Naples have conceded just once in almost ten hours of football in Europe at the San Paolo Stadium, while domestically they have kept three clean sheets in their previous four Serie A matches. It almost sounds like the perfect match-up. Almost.

Although Napoli seemingly have the credentials to become only the second team in 2011/12 to claim the scalp of Manchester City, on current form their hopes of a famous win – one that would move them to the cusp of qualification – are very slim at best. Saturday’s goalless draw with Lazio, in Naples, meant it is now one win in seven for Walter Mazzarri’s charges, whose team’s only wins this season have tended to come against the big sides: AC Milan at home (3-1), Inter Milan away (0-3) and more recently Udinese (2-0), who were leading Serie A up till last weekend.

Furthermore, Napoli also held Bayern to a 1-1 draw in Naples on Match Day 3. They were also sightly unfortunate to go down 3-2 the following match day in Munich, at the Allianz Arena. There’s little doubt the Italian side have been a team for the big occasion in recent seasons, it’s simply a case of whether or not they can put their dismal recent sequence of results behind them to record not only a famous a win, but a win that would put them in pole position to qualify.

Match Pointers

- The result of this particular match could prove decisive with regards to who qualifies from Group A. Victory for Man City would guarantee their participation in the competition after the New Year, as they would then boast an unassailable five-point lead over the Italians. A win for the home side however, Napoli, would see them climb above City into second, a point clear of the Citizens heading into the final round of group games which will see City entertain Bayern Munich and Napoli go to rock-bottom Villarreal.

- Napoli have only won one of their last seven matches in all competitions, though they have been beaten just twice on their own patch in seventeen (W9 D6 L2).

- At home in European competition, Napoli are unbeaten in ten matches, since completing their return to the continental fold back in 2008. Their last defeat occurring way back in 1994.

- Bayern Munich are the only team to have scored at the San Paolo Stadium in Naples in almost ten hours of European football, with the Bavarians doing so on Match Day 3 in a 1-1 draw.

- Manchester City are enjoying a scintillating run of nine straight wins in all competitions, scoring 33 times – over 3 goals a game on average – whilst conceding nine.

- The Citizens’ only defeat in eighteen competitive games this season (W15 D2 L1) came on Match Day 2 in a 2-0 loss at Bayern Munich. They have scored 55 goals and conceded just 15.

Betting

When these two teams met for the very first time on Match Day 1, in a 1-1 draw in Manchester, Roberto Mancini wasn’t in the best bit pleased with how open the affair was as a contest. It was end-to-end from start to finish, with City monopolising most of possession, and in fairness creating the clearer opportunities, yet Napoli were a constant threat on the counter. It will be exactly the same in Naples, only Napoli should attack with more swagger and confidence in front of what is always a hostile, partisan San Paolo following.

Although their first meeting was thoroughly entertaining to watch, I am not so sure the sequel will be as riveting. Both sets of players will be wary of leaving themselves exposed, so there could be a distinct lack of conviction in their play. Napoli are always well-organised, but when they attack they do so with real purpose and a lot could depend on how well City contain playmakers Marek Hamsik and Ezequiel Lavezzi, who will both provide the main supply line to the prolific Edinson Cavani, the Uruguayan who opened the scoring in Manchester.

For City, there are numerous key players which could heavily influence the final result – which is why I fancy them to sneak a win. In terms of creativity, they ooze the stuff. The prospect of a fresh David Silva entering the fray is frightening, after the Spaniard featured only briefly in his side’s 3-1 victory over Newcastle on Saturday, City’s ninth victory in succession. Sergio Aguero and Mario Balotelli just haven’t stopped scoring in recent weeks and months, and Mancini will unleash the pair of them on a Napoli defence which has conceded just once in 573 minutes of European football at the Stadium San Paolo.

Napoli boast a formidable reputation for being incredibly well-organised at the back, combative and industrious in the middle of the park and very clinical in the final third – however, their opponents really are something else. Manchester City will take a wealth of attacking options to Naples and they should have too much quality up top for the Italian side, whom fired blanks at the weekend in a dour 0-0 draw at home to Lazio.

Match Outcome: Manchester City to WIN – 11/10 WilliamHill

Value Bet: Man City 2-0 (Correct Score) – 9/1 WilliamHill

Match Odds

Napoli – 3/1 StanJames

Draw – 5/2 PaddyPower

Manchester City – 11/10 WilliamHill

Manchester City V Newcastle United

Date & Kick-Off: Saturday, 19 November 2011 – 15:00 GMT

Venue: Etihad Stadium

Preview

Table-topping Man City and high-flying Newcastle are the only teams yet to taste defeat in the Premier League this season, and both run the risk of relinquishing their pristine records when they do battle against each other at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

The Citizens have won ten of their eleven league matches and boast the outright lead of the Premier League, five points clear of fierce local rivals United. They’ve scored goals at a frightening rate – almost 4 every game on average – but remain as resolute as ever at the back, with Roberto Mancini’s charges posting the second-best defensive figures.

Thee strongest defence in the Premier League belongs to Newcastle, who have conceded just eight goals from their eleven contests. So if anyone is equipped to nullify City’s formidable attacking unit, one which boasts not only two of the league’s leading marksmen in Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero, but also thee leading assist makers in Samir Nasri and David Silva, the latter having created more scoring opportunities than any other player in the division, you feel it has to be Alan Pardew’s Magpies.

It all makes for an intriguing contest; Man City pitting their offensive muscle against Newcastle’s staunch defence, as well as two teams fighting desperately to retain their unbeaten records.

The Magpies have been outstanding thus far, in every aspect, from a defence that has shipped very few goals right up to a powerful, free-scoring striker in Demba Ba who has eight for the season. But this is a massive ask for Alan Pardew’s men. Will they rise to the challenge or will City blow them out the water, as they’ve done with most teams this season?

Manchester City

League Position: 1st

League Form: WWWWW

Normally a five-point lead would not constitute runaway leaders, but this Man City team are something else. No team has looked this good, this untouchable, at this point of the season, never, not in the Premier League era anyway. To score 39 goals after just 11 matches is extraordinary, superhuman almost, while the manner in which they merely tossed their fierce rivals United aside at Old Trafford last month left everyone dumbstruck.

Victory at Loftus Road over QPR was their eighth in succession in all competitions, the fifth match in a row where City had scored a minimum of three goals, while it also extended their unbeaten start to the Premier League season to eleven. Ten of those were victories. Their lead at the summit is now five-points and while it isn’t an unassailable margin, it’s certainly left their challengers with plenty to do – especially as Roberto Mancini’s men have rarely looked like slipping up.

Fulham, at Craven Cottage back in September, are the only team to have taken points off the Citizens this season. Nobody is really sure as to how they managed it, as like every other team who has come face to face with Man City, they were battered for large periods. But that minor lapse serves as a timely reminder to everyone that despite how imperious they’ve been for the most part, City are not infallible.

Consistency has been the name of the game though, and an eleventh win of the season on Saturday, one that would leave them with the one and only remaining unbeaten record in the Premier League, could see them stretch their lead at the summit even further. United face a tricky trip to Swansea the same afternoon, with the Swans unbeaten on their own patch.

To boot, Roberto Mancini has almost a fully fit squad to choose from. Owen Hargreaves won’t be available while there are questions marks regarding Samir Nasri, the creative midfielder who has created the joint-most goal assists this season, along with team-mate David Silva, but sat out both of France’s friendlies with USA and Belgium.

Newcastle United

League Position: 3rd

League Form: WDWWW

There is no getting away from it, everyone must stand toe-for-toe with the awesome might of Manchester City on at least two separate occasions this season, but for some the daunting fixture will arrive at an opportunistic time. This is certainly the case for Newcastle.

On the back of recent internationals which saw more City players feature prominently for their countries than those of Newcastle, and with the Magpies still buoyed and motivated by their undefeated start to the campaign, this fixture couldn’t have come at a better time for Alan Pardew and his team. They’ll approach this match head on, undeterred by the spectacular achievements of their opponents and instead inspired by their own truly remarkable feats.

Eleven games unbeaten in the Premier League is an extraordinary achievement at any time of the season, but to do it right at the beginning really does give you a solid platform to build from – and that’s exactly what Newcastle have done. They’ve grown in stature with every game. With every 90 minutes they’ve avoided defeat, the morale and spirit seemingly increases ten-fold – and I tell you what, they’ll be stern opposition for the Premier League’s pacesetters.

Their secret weapon this season has been their rock-solid defence, one which has shipped just eight goals. Centre-half pairing Steven Taylor and Fabricio Coliccini have been outstanding, exceptional even, as has full-back Ryan Taylor. However, a monumental task awaits them in Manchester; trying to contain a star-studded City attack that has plundered 39 in the Premier League, and 52 in all competitions.

Pivotal to Newcastle’s bid of nullifying a formidable offensive unit is the combative Cheik Tiote in the centre of midfield. The industrious 25-year-old from the Ivory Coast has been instrumental to the team’s success this season, providing astute cover for thee strongest defence in the Premier League, alongside France international Yohan Cabaye, whom has been just as instrumental despite this being his first season in English football. Tiote is, however, carrying a slight knock and is considering a minor doubt, along with midfielder Gabriel Obertan and striker Leon Best.

Match Pointers

- Manchester City are unbeaten in nine versus Newcastle in the Premier League, winning seven, including the previous three in Manchester.

- Newcastle last recorded a win over Man City in Manchester back in 2000, winning 1-0 courtesy of Alan Shearer’s second half strike.

- This fixtures pits the league’s two remaining unbeaten sides against each other; Man City have won 10 of their 11 matches and sit atop of the table while Newcastle have won 7 of their 11 and lie third having accrued six points fewer than the Citizens.

- The Citizens have won all five of their home league matches this season, scoring 16 and conceding just two; they’ve not tasted defeat at home since December, when they were beaten 2-1 by Everton.

- The Magpies have won three of five away from home, winning their previous two away at Wolves and Stoke; their last reverse on the road occurring in May at Liverpool.

- Three of the Premier League’s leading marksmen for the season could feature in this fixture, with Edin Dzeko (10) and Sergio Aguero (9) set to start for City while Demba Ba (8) will spearhead the Newcastle attack.

Betting

What Newcastle have achieved this season is incredible; to still be unbeaten after eleven games doesn’t half take some doing, even if you haven’t come face to face with some of the big boys of the division. The latter statement is very true, mind, and Saturday’s outing in Manchester represents Newcastle’s biggest test of the season so far, by a country distance. A lot depends on how long they keep their shape and concentration at the back, which they could do, but also how they keep a confident Demba Ba busy up top, which won’t be easy.

My biggest concern does lie with Demba Ba, as this is the sort of game where he could become isolated up top. Time on the ball, as well as chances, will be extremely limited for the Senegalese striker, though he is an always willing outlet for the Magpies. However this is the kind of game where Ba could cut an isolated figure up top.

With Gabriel Obertan a massive doubt, I’m not sure where Newcastle can really hurt City. Obertan hasn’t been especially good for the Magpies this season but he does have blistering pace, and that will have caused City’s marauding full-backs, who do like to get forward whenever possible, problems. I’m sure they’ll give another good account of themselves regardless; however, City failing to score is asking an awful lot, and with that I’m struggling to predict anything other than a home win – though, as Kevin Keegan once poignantly put it, I’d LOVE IT if Newcastle got a result!

Match Outcome: Manchester City to WIN @ 1/3 PaddyPower

Value Bet: Man City to WIN by 1 Goal (Winning Margin) @ 3/1 Bet365

Match Odds

Manchester City – 1/3 PaddyPower

Draw – 9/2 Ladbrokes

Newcastle – 10/1 StanJames

Queens Park Rangers V Manchester City

Date & Kick-Off: Saturday, 5 November 2011 – 17:30 GMT

Venue: Loftus Road

TV Coverage: LIVE on ESPN

Preview

Roberto Mancini will meet Neil Warnock for the very first time in a competitive environment on Saturday, with his Manchester City team the first to test the Loftus Road water since QPR’s thrilling 1-0 win over Chelsea a fortnight ago. It will also be the first time these two clubs have gone at it on a football pitch for eight whole years,. So this is a game of firsts in many ways. Fortunately, we can catch this spectacle live on ESPN.

Courtesy of Wednesday’s stroll in the park at El Madrigal, Manchester City head down to Loftus Road in buoyant mood and on course to qualify for the Champions League knockouts. Yaya Toure with two of the goals in a 3-0 victory which saw City move into second in Group A, above Napoli who are now their only competition for a top-two finish. But as delighted as Roberto Mancini was with the professional display in Spain, this despite making several notable changes, it is back to business as usual this weekend, when they’ll be aiming to stretch their consolidate their position at the summit of the Barclay’s Premier League with the international break looming large.

Survival is the goal for QPR this season and although they are currently on course to complete that objective with a quarter of the season almost gone, manager Neil Warnock won’t be pleased with the lack of consistency his team have displayed. Last week’s 3-1 reverse at Tottenham came straight off the back of that sensational 1-0 win over Chelsea at Loftus Road, dropping them to 12 in the table with Rangers still to record back-to-back results of any kind (they’ve never followed a win up with a win, draw with a draw or a defeat with another loss). On the plus side, if they are to continue with their bizarre alternating form, they won’t be losers on Saturday.

Queens Park Rangers

League Position: 12th

League Form: DLDWL

We are only a quarter of the way into the season but already I’m growing tiresome of QPR. The West Londoners are as inconsistent and unreliable as they come, with their results as erratic as their performances. However, Neil Warnock will nevertheless be satisfied with where his team currently reside (12th) in the table and the amount of points they have amassed (also 12), with Rangers having already put a healthy six-points between them and the relegation places.

Rangers’ epic victory over Chelsea two weeks ago had a lot to do with their tenacious, dogged attitude than actual quality – while they also enjoyed their fair share of good fortune with the referring decisions. I didn’t see enough of those battling qualities away at Tottenham last time out, which is deeply concerning because without applying the same conviction, Neil Warnock’s men were always going to come out second best, as they simply don’t have enough quality in all areas of the pitch to compete with the big boys of the division.

Vast improvements are needed if they are to withstand the muscle of Manchester City, a team who appear to have everything in their armoury. Fortunately Rangers will have home comforts to fall back on, and that should mean a packed out Loftus Road giving their utmost support. But, although Rangers were winners here when they faced Chelsea recently, it is definitely worth remembering this little gem: QPR have won only ONE of their previous NINE matches at Loftus Road, in all competitions.

So if Loftus Road isn’t the fortress we are led to believe it is, and if Neil Warnock doesn’t have the quality to compete, what hope is there for them? Well, there are enough to world-beaters in Warnock’s ranks to be of nuisance. Joe Barton a prime example, as is former City star Shaun Wright-Phillips. Adel Taarabt is another. But individuals won’t earn Rangers a result on Saturday, a huge collective effort is required and that is something we haven’t seen anywhere near enough this season.

Manchester City

League Position: 1st

League Form: WWWWW

A hectic schedule means international breaks are like a God send for Roberto Mancini, whose team are competing every three to four days because of all their commitments. If it isn’t the league it is the Champions League, and if it isn’t those two then it’s the League Cup which enters the equation. So, unsurprisingly, City’s Italian chief is keen to rotate his squad in a bid to keep everyone fresh as a daisy. If only every other manager had the same luxury.

After watching his team run out comfortable 3-0 winners in Spain on Wednesday, in their Group A Champions League clash with Villarreal, Roberto Mancini insisted that he would make changes to his team for Saturday’s away encounter with QPR. As alarming as that sounds, it will probably only be the same team which recorded a 3-1 win over Wolves at Eastlands last week, as Mancini made several changes in midweek, so basically the same team which keeps blowing everyone out of the water in the Premier League on a weekly basis, then?

Alexsandr Kolarov, Joleon Lescott, Nigel De Jong, Gareth Barry, Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko were among those who didn’t start Wednesday’s match at Villarreal, though the sheer fact Mario Balotelli played 82 minutes would suggest Super Mario will drop to the bench as Aguero and Dzeko spearhead the attack. The only negative to come out of Wednesday’s outing was a back injury sustained by David Silva, who has been their most influential figure this season. Although Mancini doesn’t believe the injury was serious. Phew! I’m not saying that last part because I am a Man City fan, I just love watching the Spaniard at work.

Win, lose or draw City will go into the international break top of the table. Their blistering start to the season, the most ferocious pace at which any team as ever set off at in the Premier League, sees them top the league by five clear points, after winning nine of their first ten games. Moreover, no previous team has plundered more goals at this stage of the season, with City averaging 3.6 goals per game. And a corker of a stat as far as Saturday’s trip to QPR is concerned: Manchester City have won their previous three away league cup games by an aggregate of 15-3.

Match Pointers

- First competitive meeting for eight years, since their Carling Cup encounter back in 2003, which City won 3-0 at Loftus Road.

- These two teams have however met eight times in the Premier League, between 1992/93 – 1995/96: QPR wins – 2, Draws – 3, Man City wins – 3.

- QPR (W3 D3 L4), 12th in the league with 12-points, have won only one of five Premier League home games this season, though it was against Chelsea (1-0) in their last Loftus Road encounter.

- Manchester City (W9 D1 L0) remain unbeaten in the league with a quarter of the season almost gone, winning an incredible nine of ten whilst amassing the highest ever goal tally in the competition’s history at this point of the season, netting 36 in all.

- City have scored four more goals (20 in total) on their travels than at home, however they’ve also conceded as many more (6 away, 2 at home).

- The Citizens have won their previous seven matches in all competitions, scoring 27 goals in the process, 14 coming in their last three away matches.

- Seven of Edin Dzeko’s nine goals were scored away from home, while Mario Balotelli has four in his last three starts.

Betting

The pace at which Man City have set off at this season is frightening, and I haven’t seen much recently that would suggest QPR are capable of becoming the first team to overhaul Roberto Mancini’s indomitable charges, or that City will drop several levels as so Rangers could compete with their superstars. Having said all that, QPR did raise their game for the visit of Chelsea in their last Loftus Road encounter, while City’s level did drop on their last visit to the West London, when they squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at Fulham; the one and only occasion City have dropped points this season.

Because Rangers posses several explosive individuals who can make a difference in games, you can never rule them out of any contest. But Manchester City appear to be in a different league altogether than the rest of the division, a class apart. The only real concern for me is the amount of games they have had to play this season, but I’m sure Roberto Mancini will be doing his utmost to avoid any complacency just before the imminent break.

Another City victory for me, although I reckon it will be tight; QPR won’t be pushovers on their own turf this season.

Match Outcome: Manchester City to WIN – 4/11 WilliamHill

Value Bet: Man City 2-1 (Correct Score) – 8/1 Ladbrokes

Match Odds

Queens Park Rangers – 10/1 StanJames

Draw – 17/4 Boylesports

Manchester City – 4/11 WilliamHill

Villarreal V Manchester City

Date & Kick-Off: Wednesday, 2 November 2011 – 19:45 GMT

Venue: El Madrigal

TV Coverage: LIVE on ITV1

Preview

A goal in stoppage time from Sergio Aguero – his sixth goal versus Villarreal – handed Manchester City their first Champions League victory on Match Day 3 and, in doing so, greatly changed the complexions of both team’s situations.

Roberto Mancini’s City are now firmly in contention for a top-two finish, three points behind leaders Bayern Munich but just a solitary point shy of second-placed Napoli. Victory for them would see them climb to second in Group A, dubbed the ‘Group of Death’, provided Bayern Munich do what is expected of them and beat Napoli at the Allianz Arena in Germany.

As for Villarreal, they remain pointless at the bottom of the group and should they suffer their fourth consecutive Champions League loss, which would be the first time they’ve ever slumped to such a streak in Europe, then they would be eliminated from the competition despite the small matter of their being two group games left to play. Moreover, defeat at El Madrigal and a Napoli victory in Munich would see the Yellow Submarine dumped out of Europe altogether.

So, everything to play for then when the two teams renew acquaintances on Wednesday, a little over two weeks since their epic encounter in Manchester. Villarreal gave as good as they got in that game, even taking an early lead through midfielder Cani. But this is a Man City side with a habit for winning matches, so it was inevitable that one of their superstars would pop up with a winner. Wasn’t it?

Argentine Sergio Aguero was to prove Villarreal’s nemesis yet again. The former Atletico Madrid striker, who scored five times against the Madrigal side during his five-year spell in La Liga, prodding into an unguarded net with virtually the last kick of the game. Carlos Marchena had earlier put through his own net to draw Man City level but on reflection, after dominating possession and creating chance after chance, the final result was a fair outcome, despite a battling display from the Spanish visitors.

Nevertheless, defeat was hard to swallow for Juan Carlos Garrido, the Villarreal head coach whose overseen one of the club’s poorest starts to a term. The Yellow Submarine are eleven-points adrift of the Champions League places in 13th back home in Spain’s Primera Division, having won just two of ten. The fact they sit rock-bottom of their Champions League group, pointless as well, only compounds what has been a dismal first quarter to the season.

Villarreal’s woes do not merely end at their lacklustre form, though, as escaping the doldrums won’t be easy without their key men. Cristian Zapata, Cani, Marscos Senna and Nilmar are all out of Wednesday’s contest while star man Giuseppe Rossi, the Italian international who scored 32 goals in all competitions last season, has been ruled out for up to six months after damaging cruciate ligaments in his knee. To complicate matters even further, Maros Ruben, the one and only recognised forward at Garrido’s disposal, will reportedly undergo a late fitness test.

Whereas Villarreal can’t seem to put a foot right this season, Manchester City have rarely put a foot wrong. The Citizens sit atop of the Barclay’s Premier League after going their first ten matches unbeaten, winning nine. Moreover, they’ve amassed a truly astonishing tally of goals, 48 in total in all competitions, which puts Villarreal’s 13 to shame.

City’s awe-inspiring strike-force of Sergio Aguero (10), Edin Dzeko (12) and Mario Balotelli (6), the latter available for Wednesday’s trip after missing City’s first three group games through suspension, have plundered over twice as many between them as Villarreal’s entire team has combined. And it will be containing two of the aforementioned three which will prove most troublesome for Juan Carlos Garrido, whose team have kept just four clean sheets all season.

To boot, City chief Roberto Mancini will take a clean bill of health to Spain, with only midfielder Owen Hargreaves out injured – though he wasn’t selected as part of the Italian’s 25-man Champions League squad anyway. Vincent Kompany saw red at the weekend in the 3-1 defeat of Wolves at Eastlands but that ban, which spans three games, is limited to domestic action only. Mario Balotelli, who played only a brief cameo role in the second-half of that game, will lead the attack alongside Sergio Aguero.

Match Pointers

- Sergio Aguero’s stoppage time winner at the Etihad Stadium on Match Day 3 was the difference between the two teams a fortnight ago, with City winning 2-1 to keep their hopes of qualification alive. In contrast, Villarreal, because of that loss, are now on the brink of elimination.

- Villarreal have won three of their fifteen competitive matches in 2011/12 (W3 D4 L8), and just one of their last eight.

- Before succumbing to a 2-0 defeat on Match Day 1 to Bayern Munich, The Yellow Submarine were on a run of nine straight victories at home in Europe.

- Manchester City have won 11 of their 14 matches in all competitions this season, losing just once (excluding Community Shield); they’re currently on a run of six consecutive victories, since a 2-0 loss at Bayern Munich on 27 September, scoring 24 goals in the process.

- In Europe, Man City are without a win in five European fixtures.

Betting

Villarreal’s performance in Manchester was admirable considering the dire form they’re in at present, but that was with several players who won’t feature in the reverse meeting at El Madrigal. The loss of Giuseppe Rossi is colossal, as it’s almost impossible for Juan Carlos Garrido to replace a striker who last season plundered over 30 goals. The Villarreal coach is also shorn of his other talented striker, Brazilian Nilmar, as well as his goalscorer from two weeks ago, Cani. Couple all their injury woes with their critical form and few could argue that the Yellow Submarine are sinking at a frightening rate of knots.

In stark contrast to Villarreal’s current plight, Manchester City are on fire. Saturday’s 3-1 victory at home to Wolves was their sixth on the spin in all competitions, winning every match since their humbling in Munich by Bayern. During which, City have racked up 24 goals – which, on average, is bang-on 4-goals-per-game. That’s incredible, truly formidable stuff from a side who a little over a week ago were thrashing Manchester United – last season’s beaten finalists in this competition – 6-1 away from home.

I expect nothing less than for Man City to exploit Villarreal’s frail state at El Madrigal. If they score early, it could get ugly.

Match Outcome: Manchester City to WIN – 8/13 PaddyPower

Value Bet: Manchester City/Manchester City (HT/FT) – 8/5 888Sport

Match Odds

Villarreal – 11/2 WilliamHill

Draw – 16/5 VictorChandler

Manchester City – 8/13 PaddyPower

Manchester City V Wolverhampton Wanderers

Date & Kick-Off: Saturday, 29 October 2011 – 15:00 GMT

Venue: Etihad Stadium

Preview

It is round two of this hardly epic battle between Manchester City and Wolves and, if Wednesday’s League Cup tie was anything to go by, this could make for 90 minutes of brutal viewing. Roberto Mancini’s team ran riot at Molineux in midweek in the Carling Cup, slamming home five goals in a 5-2 success despite the Italian tinkering with his team-sheet and making wholesale changes to the side which spanked neighbours United 6-1 at the weekend. So is there any chance of Mick McCarthy and Wolves bridging the gap?

The signs are rather ominous from a Wolves point of view. They’ve won none of their last six matches in the league, losing five, plundering just four goals in that dour spell – and have never won a Premier League fixture away to the Citizens. In contrast, stark contrast that is, Man City have won eight of their opening nine league games of the season, have been scoring at almost a rate of four-a-game and have won thirteen of their last fourteen at home in an unbeaten containing ten clean sheets. Frightening stuff. No wonder the hosts are around a 1/5 shot.

Manchester City

League Position: 1st

League Form: DWWWW

They’ve plundered eleven goals in 180 minutes of football within the space of just three days, so I recommend we all have our abacuses at the ready as City’s third game in less than a week is Wolves at home – the team they put five past in midweek at Molineux, just days after hitting arch rivals Manchester United for six at Old Trafford. But with Villarreal to come in the Champions League on Wednesday – a must-win clash for the Citizens – we will see some restraint, a more efficient display from a City side who are averaging almost four-goals-a-game in the league this season.

Quite simply, there is just no stopping Roberto Mancini’s free-scoring charges. Wednesday’s trouncing of Wolves in the Carling Cup was almost comical, only because fans had their hearts set on another six-goal haul. The fact they notched five didn’t even come as a surprise, with goals-a-plenty the norm with Manchester City these days. In the league alone they’ve netted 33 times – an average of 3.66 per game – six of which were scored in last weekend’s demolition derby at Old Trafford.

City’s 6-1 demolition of Manchester United will forever be remembered as Sir Alex Ferguson’s ‘worst ever day’ in football. The great man himself said that. City fans have spent the whole week gloating, and they’re still bathing in all that success. Who can blame them? It was a monumental result that reverberated right across the globe. It has struck fear into every one of their upcoming opponents, especially Wolves this weekend, who have already had a taste of City’s scoring prowess – and it did not taste good.

On the face of it, if City can put six past United at Old Trafford and five past Wolves at Molineux with a makeshift XI, surely a double-figure scoring is on the cards this weekend? The City fans will doubtless dream of another goal-glut at the Etihad Stadium, where City have won 13 and lost none of their last 14 in an unbeaten sequence boasting ten clean sheets. But I suspect Roberto Mancini may have one eye on Wednesday’s pivotal Champions League encounter in Spain with Villarreal, so the Italian could hold a few back with that trip in mind.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

League Position: 16th

League Form: LLLLD

Someone has to do it, right? After watching the Citizens flex their attacking muscles twice within the space of a week, no team in their right mind would want to face a free-scoring Manchester City at this precise moment in time. So you feel for Mick McCarthy, whose Wolves side – without a win in five in the league – must somehow go to the Etihad Stadium and not merely make up the numbers.

Wolves are 20/1 shots this weekend, which speaks volumes about their chances in Manchester. Mick McCarthy made several changes from the team which came from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw with Swansea last week for Wednesday’s League Cup clash with Saturday’s opponents, City, with the likes of Wayne Hennessey, Roger Johnson, Karl Henry, Matt Jarvis and Kevin Doyle sitting out the 5-2 drubbing dished out by an irrepressible Man City at Molineux. The aforementioned players should all return but can they really make any dent in the deficit?

Last Saturday’s 2-2 draw at home to Swansea stretched Wolves winless run in the league to six games, although it could, and probably should, have been six straight defeats for Mick McCarthy and his team, who are being heavily scrutinised by their own supporters. McCarthy was even jeered at Molineux by fans he described as ‘mindless idiots’. So it isn’t as though Wolves lack motivation, as they’ll be fired up to prove all their doubters wrong, namely their own supporters but pundits and punters too.

There has, though, been a lack of quality to their play in recent outings, hence why they’re currently a team in free-fall. Their two goals against Swansea were only their fourth scored during this dismal spell of theirs, having plummeted from first place right down to 16th, just two points off relegation. Playing away from home may have its benefits, though, as at least they won’t have Wolves fans baying for their blood – no, just the City fans demanding their team show no mercy on Saturday.

Match Pointers

- Second clash in three days, with Man City running riot at Molineux on Wednesday as the Citizens racked up five goals in a 5-2 rout.

- Wolves have never won a Premier League match away to Manchester City, drawing one but losing three of their four visits.

- Man City top the Premier League with 25 points registered from 27 that went on offer (W8 D1 L0), scoring 33 times along the way (avg. 3.66)

- Striker Mario Balotelli has five Premier League goals in his last four appearances; however, Edin Dzeko has plundered seven of his eight goals away from home.

- Wolves (W2 D2 L5) are just two places off the relegation zone in 16th, losing five and winning none of their last six in the league.

- The Midlands side have conceded two or more goals in each of their last four home league games, conceding precisely two on three occasions.

Betting

This can only go one way, surely? Wolves have actually been a problematic opponent for Man City in recent years in the Premier League, with City winning two of the previous three home encounters by a solitary goal – Wolves scoring three goals on both those visits. But this City team have really come into their own this season; not only are they looking formidable going forward but errors are few and far between elsewhere, especially in defence, one which has kept ten clean sheets in its last fourteen Premier League home games.

Just about every attacking player in the City team is currently a rich vein of form, whereas Wolves are still feeling the affects of a six-game winless run. It could be another whitewash, similar to how their Carling Cup clash went on Wednesday, when City thumped Wolves 5-2 at Molineux, but Roberto Mancini may well preach caution and demand a more efficient display ahead of this coming Wednesday’s Champions League match in Villarreal. It should still be an easy afternoon’s work for Man City, mind.

Match Outcome: Manchester City to WIN – 2/11 WilliamHill

Value Bet: Man City to WIN 2-0 (Correct Score) – 6/1 WilliamHill

Match Odds

Manchester City – 2/11 WilliamHill

Draw – 7/1 VictorChandler

Wolves – 20/1 VictorChandler

Manchester United V Manchester City

Date & Kick-Off: Sunday, 23 October 2011 – 13:30 (GMT)

Venue: Old Trafford

TV Coverage: LIVE on Sky Sports 1

Preview

The Manchester derby takes centre stage this weekend as United and City battle it out for local bragging rights and, ultimately, three points that come the end of the season could prove decisive in the race to be crowned 2011/12 Premier League champions.

Currently it is Roberto Mancini’s Man City who boast the outright lead, having won seven of their first eight games in an unbeaten sequence made truly remarkable by the sheer number of goals involved: the Citizens have plundered 27 in total, an average of 3.37 per game, conceding just 6. Fourteen of those are credited to this new-look and exciting strike partnership of Argentine Sergio Aguero and Bosnian Edin Dzeko, the pair who have reaped the benefits of playing in front of a couple of world class play-makers in the shape of David Silva and Samir Nasri, who lead the way in assists with five and six respectively.

United, though, are never far off the pace and a 20th successive home win in the Barclay’s Premier League – what would also be their fourth consecutive league victory over Man City at Old Trafford – would see them erase Man City’s two-point advantage and replace them at the summit. They, too, have been in prolific goalscoring form this season, and like their rivals also boast a number of attacking assets: no player has netted more goals than Wayne Rooney this season, 9, while only Samir Nasri has laid on more assists than Ashley Young.

So this truly is an epic battle between the two best teams in the Premier League, according to the league table anyway. I’m sure Chelsea would object to such a claim, and it is they, breathing down the pair’s necks in third, who will prosper either way should there be a decisive winner in the first Manchester derby of the season.

Manchester United

League Position: 2nd

League Form: WWDWD

The spectacular rise of Manchester City is threatening the age-old rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester United as we know it – a fixture Sir Alex defiantly believes is still the biggest game of the season as far as United are concerned. He may arguably be the greatest manager the sport has ever had, however Fergie isn’t deceiving anyone with his backhanded jibe aimed at the club he once described as merely the ‘noisy neighbours’.

THIS is now the biggest game of the season for United and their fans, not because of bragging rights or local pride but due to the significance and emphasis placed on three points, because, like it or not, Manchester City are genuine title protagonists this season – and there aren’t too many who are, despite mutterings from Merseyside and north London. So I do hope that Ferguson brandishing last week’s clash with Liverpool as the ‘biggest game of the season’ was a ploy, as it’s about time United took this fixture as seriously as their neighbours, who are the ones making all the noise right now as they sit pretty at the summit of the Barclay’s Premier League.

Although United are the ones now playing catch-up, they do hold all the aces. The Red Devils have been red hot for a while now at Old Trafford; they’ve won their last 20 Premier League matches there, two of which were highly impressive victories that occurred this season over Arsenal, who they thumped 8-2, and Chelsea. But they also go into the game feeling as though they have the beating of their rivals: Sir Alex’s men are unbeaten in their last six Manchester derbies, winning five including the previous three at Old Trafford.

It’s also worth making a mental note of the fact 16 of their 25 goals scored in the league this season have come at Old Trafford, while their only concessions there came in those aforementioned games with Arsenal and Chelsea.

Team News – United manager Sir Alex Ferguson named a very strong team for the trip to Romania during the week to face little known Otelul Galati in the Champions League. And the Red Devils were far from convincing either, requiring two converted spot-kicks from Wayne Rooney just to seal their first European victory of the campaign. Nani, Hernandez and Rooney – second-half substitutes at Anfield – all started in midweek, as did Nemanja Vidic, who completed his return to the starting fold by getting sent off. He is, however, set to be thrown in at the deep end right from the off on Sunday, partnering Rio Ferdinand, who didn’t travel to Romania, in the heart of defence. Tom Cleverely is the only doubt.

Manchester City

League Position: 1st

League Form: WDWWW

City are out to consolidate their position at the top of the Barclay’s Premier League at Old Trafford this weekend, but in order to do so they must achieve a feat they’ve not managed for the past three seasons, which is avoid defeat at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’. Better yet, go one further and record only their second ever Premier League victory at the home of the Red Devils – their one previous triumph in this fixture, during the Premier League era that is, occurring four seasons ago back in 2008.

It is often said that there is no better feeling than winning a game of football in the dying embers of the game. We need only examine the clips of Roberto Mancini celebrating Sergio Aguero’s injury time winner at home to Villarreal in the Champions League on Tuesday to verify the validity of such a claim. The Italian could not hide his elation at City’s first ever victory in Europe’s premier club competition, especially as it puts them right back in qualifying contention in Group A.

Tuesday’s win was a timely boost for City, who have endured a turbulent few weeks. On the field they’ve remained imperious; last week’s comprehensive 4-1 win over Aston Villa at Eastlands was their third in a row domestically, netting twelve times in that spell. Off it, though, Carlos Tevez continues to dominate all the back pages.

Fortunately, Tevez hasn’t disrupted City’s rhythm, if anything it has galvanised the team, in particular Mario Balotelli, who due to Tevez’s exclusion from the first-team squad has been able to capitalise on some rare minutes on the pitch. The Italian has now scored in each of his last four appearances in the league, providing Mancini with a positive selection dilemma ahead of Sunday’s game as to whether he should stick with the form of the temperamental Italian or go with the tried and tested Aguero and Dzeko partnership which has produced fourteen goals this season.

Team News - Midfield enforcer Nigel de Jong is back from injury, the Dutchman who has every confidence that City’s sublime unbeaten run will not be wrecked by second-placed United at Old Trafford. De Jong may well replace Yaya Toure, the Ivorian who has been disappointing of late and does leave gaps with his bulldozing runs forward. David Silva, Samir Nasri and Edin Dzeko were among those who sat out last week’s handsome league win at home to Aston Villa. All three are expected to start at Old Trafford. Kolo Toure was also an unused sub against Villa, and again in midweek versus Villarreal, with Mancini deciding to stick with the central defensive partnership of Joleon Lescott and Vincent Kompany that has helped City boast the joint-strongest defensive figures after eight games.

Match Pointers

- Manchester United are unbeaten in six league meetings with City, winning five, with the latter’s only away win at Old Trafford during the Premier League era coming in 2008.

- Victory for United would extend their winning streak at Old Trafford in the Premier League to 20.

- Both United (W6 D2) and City (W7 D1) have made eight-game unbeaten starts to the league campaign, but it is Roberto Mancini’s City who go into the game top of the Premier League.

- This fixture also pits the league’s leading scorers against each other as Wayne Rooney (9) and Sergio Aguero (8) go head-to-head at Old Trafford. Edin Dzeko isn’t too far behind on six.

- These two teams have averaged over 3-goals-per-game in the league this season, United netting 25 times to City’s 27.

Betting

Top of the table and boasting the best away record in the Premier League, City unsurprisingly fancy themselves at Old Trafford this weekend especially after the manner of their victory over Villarreal in midweek. In David Silva and Samir Nasri they have two players capable of unlocking a United defence which has allowed more shots on their own goal than any other team in the Premier League bar Bolton, while in Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli, Roberto Mancini has three strikers in rich veins of scoring form. They have, however, conceded five of their six goals away from home, which is perhaps where the combative Nigel de Jong comes into play.

Manchester United’s defence remains their Achilles heels, while their midfield isn’t far off. Both Anderson and Darren Fletcher in the middle are a million miles away from being classed as world class material, while this young and inexperienced back-line has been found wanting against lesser teams of late, namely Norwich and Basel. The return of Nemanja Vidic is positive even though he is prone to injuries and cautions, and the Serbian will form a more stable centre-half partnership with Rio Ferdinand on Sunday. I’m still not convinced they’ll contain City’s dreamy attacking quarter of Silva, Nasri, Aguero and Dzeko.

Home advantage should count for a lot, at least I hope it will as I’m backing the draw even though I see Manchester City as tremendous value. The visitors have the fire-power to trouble any defence in world football, let alone a United back-line which was ripped apart by FC Basel before the international break, and shortly after by Norwich – both at Old Trafford as well. So, at odds of over 2/1, I wouldn’t try to discourage anyone from taking a chance on Roberto Mancini’s imperious charges.

Match Outcome: Draw – 5/2 StanJames

Value Bet: 2-2 Draw (Correct Score) – 14/1 Boylesports

Match Odds

Manchester United – 11/10 WilliamHill

Draw – 5/2 StanJames

Manchester City – 14/5 Bet365