Football Update: EPL Match Preview- Blackpool vs. Manchester City
Starting XI for Blackpool: Gilks; Eardley, Evatt, Cathcart, Crainey; Vaughan, Adam; Taylor-Fletcher, Grandin, Varney; Campbell
Starting XI for Man City: Hart; Boateng, K Toure, Kompany, Lescott; De Jong, Barry; Silva, Y Toure, Milner; Tévez.
Referee: Phil Dowd.
A truly exciting and classic premier league encounter can be expected when Manchester City face off with Blackpool. The last time these two sides faced off was back in Second Division in 99, where both sides managed a 0-0 draw at Bloomfield road. In total,
the sides have met for 29 times, with Blackpool winning six and Manchester City winning 9 times. 14 matches have been drawn in the process but a lot has changed since.
Manchester City has established itself as one of the most lethal sides in Europe, having landed some of the finest players on the planet. Since the acquisition of the club by Abu Dhabi group in 2008, City has signed over 13 top quality players and currently
are 2nd in the league. The side finished 5th last season and has further bolstered the squad by adding some big name players. So much expected from the outfit and Roberto Mancini would make sure that the side take advantage of the recent
slip in points done by neighbours Manchester United. A win would take them just 2 points behind leaders Chelsea, which would keep them firm in the title race.
Newly promoted Blackpool has made a promising start to the season and has the best away record in the league. The side has managed 9 points away but has the worst home record with only 1 point from two home games. The side has the fighting ability and has
refused to become the whipping boys of the league. With 10 points from 7 fixtures, Blackpool seems to stay in the premier league for long and would want to prove their mettle against the Richest club on the planet.
Manchester City are in top form this season, having managed to win 3 out the last 4 fixture. The side is also undefeated for the past 4 fixtures and a win here would give them the best start in years. However, if Blackpool pulls what can be called an upset,
it would be the first time in 9 games that the side has managed back to back wins.
Team news for Manchester City
City would be without the services of Pablo Zabaleta, Wayne Bridge, Micah Richards, Mario Balotelli and Aleksander Kolarov. However, the side has produced some exciting displays over the weeks and the star studded line-up has started to combine well.
Blackpool will be without injured defender Alex Baptiste, attacker Louis Almond and midfielder Billy Clarke.
Manchester City have not conceded more than one goal for the past 15 fixtures and with Joe Hart at the back, it is a difficult task to score. Blackpool should take advantage of the home crowd and take an early lead. The side has proved their quality against
top sides and would want to win this fixture in order to sit on the 5th spot.
Prediction: Manchester City’s quality would prove too much for the home side, as all the players in the camp are in form. The side has already thrashed Chelsea this season and have become title contenders. 1-3 the final score line.
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