Manchester City v Wigan Athletic
Saturday, 9 September 2011
Etihad Stadium, Kick off: 3pm
Manchester City may have claimed maximum points from their opening three games of the Barclays Premier League but Roberto Mancini’s side won’t be taking anything for granted when they take on Wigan Athletic at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
Roberto Martinez’s Latics are unbeaten in their last seven competitive outings, the longest current run of any top flight team. However, no current Wigan player has scored a goal against City so the signs look ominous on paper.
Martinez has spoken highly about City’s big money signing Sergio Aguero who has settled well so far in England.
“He really is the complete player and he’s probably as close to Maradona and Messi as you will see,” said Martinez.
“Aguero has the ability to play between lines and his winning mentality has allowed him to fit into the Premier League with no problems. He is explosive over the first five yards and defenders in this country will have a real shock when they see just how quick he is.
“Due to his style, City can play on the counter away from home and then be different at home – it really is a dangerous combination.”
However there have been whispers that Aguero may be given a rest following a hectic summer that saw him compete for Argentina in the Copa America, with forgotten man Carlos Tevez lined up for a recall alongside Edin Dzeko.
Dzeko has bagged six goals already this season, including four in the 5-1 demolition of Tottenham Hotspur last time out. Samir Nasri, recently recruited from Arsenal, could make his home debut despite suffering a broken bone in his hand while on international duty with France.
Full back Micah Richards hopes to be involved after pulling out of England’s game with Bulgaria due to a tight hamstring.
“I felt a bit of tightness in the hamstring and it is not something I want to take any chances with,” he said.
“I missed some games last season with a similar problem and thought it best to be as cautious as possible. I have had the injury looked at and I am confident I will be available for the Wigan game at the weekend.
“No one wants to miss a minute of the season after the start we have had. It is only three games and we are not getting carried away. Our feet are firmly on the ground but we want to keep going. We have played some magical stuff so far.”
Meanwhile, Wigan have added three new faces to their squad with Shaun Maloney, Albert Crusat and Patrick van Aaaholt all moving to the DW Stadium.
Van Aanholt, who has joined on loan from Chelsea, has spoken of his willingness to battle for a spot in the first eleven.
“I want to try and emulate what Tom Cleverley did here last season, he took his opportunity and is now playing regular Premier League at Manchester United and if I can make the most of my season at Wigan Athletic hopefully it will help me to achieve something similar,” he says.
“So far I’ve had a couple of training sessions with the boys so far and I know a few of them already which is always a big help settling into a new club.
“I played alongside Franco (Di Santo) at Chelsea so we’re good friends and I’ve also played against Victor Moses a few times for the Dutch Under-21s against England. I’ve spoken a few times to Ronnie Stam since arriving as he’s also Dutch and all of this will be a big help.”
Wigan have lost ten of their last eleven games against the top four sides from last season.
Manchester City (from): Hart, Zabaleta, Kolarov, Kompany, K Toure, Lescott, Onuoha, Clichy, Bridge, De Jong, Barry, Milner, Silva, Johnson, Nasri, Y Toure, Tevez, Aguero, Dzeko, Balotelli.
Wigan Athletic (from): Al Habsi, Caldwell, Watson, Di Santo, Moses, Gomez, Boyce, Rodallega, Diame, Lopez, Figueroa, Kirkland, McCarthy, Thomas, McArthur, Sammon, Jones, Stam, Maloney, Crusat, Gohouri, van Aanholt.
Key Players:
Manchester City – Edin Dzeko
The Bosnian is starting to come good after a difficult start to his Manchester City career. He has already bagged six goals this season, more than 16 of the 20 Premier League club, and recently picked up the Player of the Month for August. Dzeko looks fitter and sharper after a full preseason in England and his clinical finishing against Tottenham Hotspur last time out served as a warning to defences up and down the country.
Wigan Athletic – Ali Al Habsi
Signed permanently from Bolton Wanderers after a previous hugely successful loan spell, Ali Al Habsi has produced some stunning displays to justify his selection as Wigan’s number one. The reported £4 million transfer fee has looked a bargain so far given the 29 year olds strong performances so far this season. With City possessing a forward line that has the potential to be devastating every time it takes the field, Al Habsi will no doubt be keep busy for the duration of the game.
Prediction:
Manchester City 3 (Dzeko 30, Silva 56, Tevez 87)
Wigan Athletic 1 (Di Santo 42)
A big thank you to Xavi6 from www.mancitfyfans.net for writing this weeks Match Preview