With thanks to LookMum for the first painless preview in 35 years :-)
The Premier League’s fixture randomiser can sometimes throw up some unlikely stories. The way certain teams seem to start and finish every season at home is a suspicious one, and who can forget the convince of The Sky Four (RIP) playing each other every few “Super Sundays” circa 2008?
This season, with all the diligence and compassion of a West Ham board meeting, the computer threw together City and Stoke City played last Saturday. What happened next hardly needs explaining.
So perhaps, inevitably, Tuesday’s rescheduled game against The Potters will be seen as something of an anticlimax when compared to Saturday’s showcase. But the reality is that this game should not be viewed as any less important. Arsenal’s self capitulation since their big final in February has been steady, summarised perfectly by Sunday’s defeat to Darren Bent, meaning that City now have the opportunity to take third place and, with it, a direct ticket to the Champions League Group Stage.
Last Time Out
Though the final was hardly a classic, for the neutral at least, you felt it was always City’s for the taking. The towering physical presence and deluge of high balls and long throws the media promised from Stoke never really threatened, star man Matthew Etherington was clearly not fit enough to play which was also the case for Jermaine Pennant went over on his ankle. In addition Robert Huth’s flailing arm first connected with Ballo and then later ball, both of which should have seen him receive a yellow on top of the one he already had.
For City, David Silva was a firm connection away from scoring in the first half, the pressure and tempo was sound. Perhaps the most revealing feature of this Mancini side was that it didn’t cave under pressure and that the big game experience of players like Yaya Toure, Nigel De Jong and David Silva was, save a Kenwyne Jones half chance, more than enough to comfortably smother a clearly overwhelmed Stoke side. But of course none of this really remained significant at 4:45 pm; City’s mission had been successful and their first major trophy for however long was bagged. Pretty exciting stuff.
Team News
It seems probable that a few players will be rested here in preparation for City’s Bolton match on Sunday. Tevez’s fitness was questioned on Saturday and after a quick return from a hamstring problem he might be replaced by either Dzeko or Milner. With no fresh injury worries it’s difficult to tell just how much rotation will take place for the last game of the season.
As for Stoke, well all reports suggest that Begovic will oddly replace arguably Stoke’s best weekend player Thomas Sorensen in goal. Matthew Etherington is likely to be rested as Tony Pulis will look to rotate towards the end of the season. You assume Pulis will want a bit work fight from his men this time round.
Look Mum’s Prediction
Stoke City have never won a point at Eastlands, hopefully the carnival atmosphere on Tuesday night won’t rally them to do so this time. 2-0.