Bolton Wanderers v Manchester City
Date: Saturday, December 12, 2009
Venue: Reebok Stadium,
Kick Off: 3pm
Manchester City take on Bolton Wanderers looking to build on a recent run of form that has seen them defeat both Chelsea and Arsenal in their last two games. Mark Hughes’ men have lost once all season, though seven consecutive draws have prevented them from breaking into the top four in the Premiership thus far.
The weekend’s opponents, Bolton Wanderers, continue to struggle, with pressure mounting on boss Gary Megson. Last weekend’s 2-1 defeat away to Wolves moved them to 19th spot in the table and they look set to be embroiled in a relegation battle.
“We need a result because we are not on the best of runs, by a long stretch” Megson told Bolton’s official club website. “There are a few other clubs in the same boat because there were about five or six other clubs in the bottom half that lost last weekend.” The Trotters are without a win since late October, and have taken just one point from their last five league games, and are the only top flight team to have not kept a clean sheet yet this season.
However, the game is far from a foregone conclusion as City have failed to score in their last four visits to the Reebok Stadium, while striker Emmanuel Adebayor is yet to score in seven league attempts against Bolton.
“Training has been exactly the same and the atmosphere is terrific – as good as I have ever known at any football club, even given the fact that we are not on a good run at the moment,” said Megson.
“We’ll get out of this, using those attributes that we have got.” On a positive note for Megson, he has no injury worries ahead of Saturday’s game.
There was worry in the City camp this week when players Craig Bellamy and Valdimir Weiss, as well as some of the club’s coaching staff, were diagnosed with swine flu; however the cases are not thought to be serious.
megson will be taking no chances tomorrow
“There is a little bit of it creeping into the camp” said assistant manager Mark Bowen. “Players come in every day with sniffles, coughs and colds and the doctor has to determine whether it is the onset of something more serious. It is his decision whether they have to be sent home.”
Bellamy returned to training on Thursday looking fully recovered…..
Defender Wayne Bridge was stretchered off against Chelsea and has been ruled out for up to three to six weeks but Micah Richards, who was also substituted through injury, returned to full training this week and is available for selection.
Last season’s Player of the Year Stephen Ireland returns to the squad after missing the Chelsea game with a knee injury picked up against Arsenal, and Martin Petrov has shaken off his latest niggle.
Brazilian forward Robinho, who has been linked with a move from the club in January, believes it important to keep the momentum going after two strong wins. “We were really happy to win on Saturday” he said. “But the most important thing now is to keep winning. There are still a lot of games to go and we want to be top.”
The 25 year old will be hoping to keep his place in the side despite the return of Bellamy and the presence of Petrov in the squad. “I am just happy to be playing,” he said. “I feel excellent. I am strong, physically and mentally, and I want to play in every game. I like to play football anywhere, at any time.”
Key Players:
Bolton Wanderers – Kevin Davies
The now-veteran striker leads the line superbly and gives nothing short of 100% in every game. His aerial ability should provide a tough test for City’s new centre half pairing of Kolo Toure and Joleon Lescott who are still finding their feet. While Davies might not have the greatest goal scoring record, his ability to disrupt defenders often leads to chances for his team mates.
Manchester City – Nigel De Jong
Dutch international De Jong was the stand-out player in last weekend’s win over Chelsea. His work rate and tackling were superb and he controlled the midfield up against the likes of Michael Essien and Frank Lampard. There were eyebrows raised when City shelled out around ?20 million for De Jong in the January transfer window last season, especially when his contract with Hamburg was expiring in the summer. However, he is now proving to be another shrewd Mark Hughes signing.
all hail De Jong
Match Facts:
– City have only kept one clean sheet in their last 11 Premier League matches.
– Bolton are the only team who have not scored a goal from outside the box.
– City have conceded the joint-fewest goals from outside the box, one.
– City are the only team who have not won a penalty in the Premier League this season.
– The Trotters have only won one of their last 10 Premier League home matches.
– 77 per cent of Bolton’s goals have been scored from set plays, the highest percentage in the top division.
– Bolton have the worst home record in the division this season, five points from seven games.
Prediction:
The Reebok Stadium is never an easy place to go to but the current Bolton side is one of the poorest in recent times, and City should pick up all three points.
Bolton 1 (Matt Taylor)
Manchester City 2 (Emmanuel Adebayor, Shaun Wright-Phillips)
A massive thanks to www.mancityfans.net poster Xavi6 for this excellent match preview