Manchester City v Wolverhampton [R]

[Manchester City]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/cf/Manchester_City.svg/200px-Manchester_City.svg.png v. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/fc/Wolverhampton_Wanderers.svg/200px-Wolverhampton_Wanderers.svg.png

Saturday, 22 August 2009
City of Manchester Stadium

Kickoff:
15:00 BST (UK)
10:00 EST (US - EAST)
7:00 PST (US - WEST)

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POSSIBLE STARTING XI (SSN)

City:
Given, Richards, Toure, Dunne, Bridge, Wright-Phillips, Barry, Ireland, Bellamy, Robinho (concern: ankle), Adebayor (concern: groin).

Wolves:
Hennessey, Stearman, Craddock, Mancienne, Halford, Henry, Milijas, Jarvis, Edwards, Ward, Keogh.

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WEATHER AT KICKOFF

http://i.imwx.com/web/common/wxicons/45/gray/32.gif
15°C
(59°F)
14 km/h (9 m/h) wind

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PREVIEWS

SkySports (http://www.skysports.com/football/match_preview/0,19764,11065_3149301,00.html)

BBC Sport (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8210640.stm)

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BETTING ODDS

SkyBet:
City 1/3
Draw 4/1
Wolves 8/1

Bwin:
City 1.25
Draw 4.85
Wolves 10.50

[Manchester City]

I actually hope we go with a 4-3-3 or 4-5-1:

------------------- Given -------------------
Richards ---- Toure ---- Dunne ---- Bridge
------------------- de Jong -----------------
--------- Ireland ---------- Barry ----------
Tevez ------------------------------ Robinho
------------------ Adebayor ----------------

I think that is plenty of coverage with a lot of attacking spirit. I would rather see Zab in for Richards, though. But we will probably go with the 4-4-2, anyway. This is just my personal opinion of our most effective formation.

Thought maybe you lads would like to have a score and scorer prediction contest for this one. Prize to be determine later.

My entry:
City 3
Wolves 0

Tevez (if he doesn't start he'll score off the bench), Ireland, Ade

[CityBlues]

Thanks for starting the thread.

http://www.myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?match ... art=sports (http://www.myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?match ... art=sports)

I like your lineup as well. I am a bit worried about this match, mainly because we seem to be on fine form and I worry that we might get compalcent against a newly promoted side. Wolves are a decent squad, so I hope we don't take the fixture lightly.

That said though, the funny this is this season is I am actually looking forward to watching our teams football. It wasn't too long ago that I almost dreaded watching yet another week of the dubious duo Corradi and Samaras. We are now an exciting team to watch, I just hope that energy translates to the crowd at COMS. Definitely looking forward to this one, will be at the pub for breakfast and a beer :D.

[CityBlues]

Oh and I'll say 3-1 to city for my entry.

[Manchester City]

Thanks for starting the thread.

http://www.myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?match ... art=sports (http://www.myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?match ... art=sports)

I like your lineup as well. I am a bit worried about this match, mainly because we seem to be on fine form and I worry that we might get compalcent against a newly promoted side. Wolves are a decent squad, so I hope we don't take the fixture lightly.

That said though, the funny this is this season is I am actually looking forward to watching our teams football. It wasn't too long ago that I almost dreaded watching yet another week of the dubious duo Corradi and Samaras. We are now an exciting team to watch, I just hope that energy translates to the crowd at COMS. Definitely looking forward to this one, will be at the pub for breakfast and a beer :D.

I am with you. I was talking to my sister (also life long supporter of City because I forced her to watch when we were younger, haha) about my hope that our run of form and notoriety does not cause hubris. I do not want City to become Troy. Hmm, though, now that I think of it, that would be an interesting movie.

[Manchester City]

From OS:

“Emmanuel had a bit of discomfort but we fully expect it to resolve itself and Robi has discomfort just above his ankle and we also fully expect he will be available for selection too,” [Hughes] concluded.

Original Article (http://www.mcfc.co.uk/News/Team-news/2009/August/All-guns-blazing-for-home-start)

The write-up also references Zab hopefully being fit so perhaps he will start (or maybe it is an elusion to him being fit for the bench).

OS Tevez Article (http://www.mcfc.co.uk/News/Team-news/2009/August/Carlos-ready-to-go)

Looks as if he may start as well, much to the chagrin of SWP, and especially Petrov. I think, for this match at least, he would be a better starting choice than SWP. Not always, but here, yes.

[51BLU]

I would predict a hard fought City win by one or maybe 2 goals.

Wolves are still fresh to the Premier league, and will have their tails up following the good win at Wigan in midweek.

Glad to see the forecast is for sunny weather :D

[Manchester City]

I would predict a hard fought City win by one or maybe 2 goals.

Wolves are still fresh to the Premier league, and will have their tails up following the good win at Wigan in midweek.

Glad to see the forecast is for sunny weather :D

I'll take that as a 2-0 entry. :D

[chinesefootballfan]

I predict a draw. Two of our key players are slightly injured and our recor is 31-20-37 lifetime vs the Wolves. Plus, we're under too much pressure to perform on home opener.

[CityBlues]

I predict a draw. Two of our key players are slightly injured and our recor is 31-20-37 lifetime vs the Wolves. Plus, we're under too much pressure to perform on home opener.

I sure hope you're wrong man!

[MVF]

3-0.

Tevez.

I also want Richards at RB against Wolves. Was very, very good last week. (I have MUCH manlove for Zabaleta though). I like the lineup posted by Manchester City however.

[juanca]

FSC has this one guys!

[MLSn00b]

I'm gonna say we'll have another 2-0 win.

[51BLU]

I predict a draw. Two of our key players are slightly injured and our recor is 31-20-37 lifetime vs the Wolves. Plus, we're under too much pressure to perform on home opener.

Not sure where you got the stats from ?

From: http://www.mcfcstats.com/

Home W 31 D 12 L 13
Away W 12 D 12 L 33
Total W 43 D 24 L 46


So not too bad overall, and our home record gives reasons for optimism.

I would agree that there will be added pressure given it's the 1st home game & the money spent during the close season. Also all teams at this time of year are still finding their feet due to the long break and new players brought in. It is usual for more shock results to occur during the 1st 5/6 games before a general pattern of the each teams season emerges.

Lets hope that tomorrow is not one of those shocks, and we can turn on a bit of style and get our first home win of the season.

[babai_here]

I think it will be 1-0 or 2-0 :D
Don't worry, City will win easily ;)

[phillymancity]

Gooooooooooallllll!!!!!

[phillymancity]

Gooooooooooallllll!!!!!
I'm loving how we're playing today! EXCELLENT offense!

[MLSn00b]

We scored, and what da' know, my stream went out just in time for it. Don't know who scored.

[MVF]

Ade is quickly becoming a fan favorite!
:D

So good to see that Robbie, Adebayor, Tevez, Ireland and Sweep can play in the same team!

[MLSn00b]

Oh it was Ade! Nice.