Sunday, November 07, 2010

A TALE OF TWO ROBERTO'S ............


EPL
WBA -MANCHESTER CITY

Albion showed terrific commitment despite being reduced to nine men at Blackpool on monday, created enough chances to have got back into the game and are hardly likely to sit back this afternoon, on home soil, with all eleven players. That is simply not their way and boss Roberto Di Matteo (who always looks as though he has just told himself a joke) doesn't have a negative bone in his body. His team have gone for broke at the Emirates, Old Trafford and away from home two goals down with nine players, they are unbeaten at home and created a huge number of chances against Bolton, Birmingham, Fulham and Tottenham, all of which were very "open" encounters. Their offensive options will be increased today with the return of Peter Odemwingie, who has missed the last three games, but has a goal every two games in his EPL starts. It is hard to say how much the exertions of Monday will have taken out of them, they did an awful lot of running in dreadful conditions, but have had almost a full week to recover and City arrive here on the back of a trip to Poland on Thursday, so I think that just about balances out.


I have discussed City's defensive woes, especially through the centre, several times in recent weeks and little has changed, if anything, the situation has got worse with another three goals conceded in Poznan, which will have done little for their confidence at the back. Offensively they have plenty about them of course and might be able to call upon returning Carlos Tevez but he seems likely to start on the bench at best. In terms of their season this is a massive game for them, defeat will leave them stranded in 4th spot, probably six points behind all of the top three and potentially eleven points adrift of Chelsea. That might cost Roberto Mancini his job, especially amid speculation that he cannot control his players.


I feel that at least offensively we might see City at their best today, I can see Johnson and Silva getting just a little more time on the ball today and plenty of chances will be created at both ends of the pitch. At present City need two goals minimum to claim the points, both teams should /will score and "over" for me looks the best value and at 1.95 yesterday, I made that a double stake bet. I also see value in the visitors at 2.0 giving up a quarter ball, they will be as motivated for this as any game so far this campaign, as it could effectively end their EPL season and for Albion, arguably their match at West Ham in midweek is more important, or will be come May 22nd. City do have the small matter of the Manchester derby on wednesday, but they will surely want to go into that with a confidence boosting win and not staring down the barrel of a 5th straight loss.

"over" 2.5 goals 1.95 ........... 1.90 +

Manchester City -0.25 2.0


Good Luck.

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