Manchester City vs. Wigan Athletic preview, English Premier League
Manchester City have started the season on a winning note, securing victories in all their fixtures in the English Premier League so far. Their latest fixture against Tottenham Hotspur ended in a 5-1 win, which will only have further encouraged them ahead
of their match against Wigan Athletic on Saturday.
While Wigan are definitely not favourites going into the fixture, they will try their best to cause an upset early on in the season. Surprisingly, Wigan have had a decent start to the season and are currently on an unbeaten run, with five points from three
games.
Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez revealed he was confident his side were better prepared for the trip to the Etihad Stadium after the international break. The manager felt his team had plenty of time to rest and train, which he felt would make a difference
on Saturday.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Martinez-c24468 said while speaking to reporters:
“Some of the players needed a break so they've used that time accordingly whereas others needed to complete specific work and I believe we've been able to do that during this time.
So it's been a beneficial period for those players who have stayed behind and now we can re-focus and re-group to prepare for what is a really exciting game at the weekend.”
Team news
Manchester City
Defender http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Vincent-Kompany-c36184 are expected
to continue their defensive partnership, with the possibility of either of them being taken off later in the game.
While Micah Richards missed out on the 2012 Euro qualifier clash against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Wales-c3041 because of a hamstring strain, he is expected to return for Manchester City over the weekend. The 23-year-old insisted the rest had just been precautionary and that he was fit.
Having missed Premier League action last season for similar reasons, Richards did not wish to do the same this season.
Richards said in an interview:
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.”
Gareth Barry, Yaya Toure and Samir Nasri are expected to start, even though the former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429 player is suffering from a broken finger. The Frenchmen reportedly picked up the injury while on international duty, but could still go on to make his debut start
for the Citizens on Saturday.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Carlos-c8346 Tevez and Edin Dzeko could start in attack, which will give Tevez the perfect chance to prove himself once
again.
Wigan Athletic
After a terrific start to the season where he scored two goals against Queens Park http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Franco-Di-Santo-c14060 will start for Wigan once again. Hugo Rodallega and Victor Moses will be further attacking options, with the duo expected to assist Di Santo and provide
the Manchester City defenders with a tough challenge.
Midfielders Mohamed Diame, Ben Watson and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jordi-c19110 Gomez will most likely continue with their successful partnership in midfield. They have so far started all the games this season and have done fairly well, which is why no change is expected.
Antolin Alcatraz and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Emerson-c12442 Boyce are out with injury, but Gary Caldwell and Adrian Lopez could start at the Etihad Stadium. New signing, Ali Al-Habsi, the goalkeeper Wigan Athletic signed for £4 million in the summer transfer window is also expected to
start on Saturday.
Possible line-ups
Manchester City
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/David-Silva-c10601; Carlos Tevez, Edin Dzeko.
Wigan Athletic
Ali Al-Habsi; http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Franco-c14050 Di Santo.
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