MANCHESTER CITY VS MIDDLESBROUGH MATCH PREVIEW

MANCHESTER CITY VS MIDDLESBROUGH MATCH PREVIEW

KICK-OFF: 4pm.

VENUE: Etihad Stadium.

REFEREE: Kevin Friend.

   

                                

The blue team of Manchester come into today’s game on the back of an emphatic and morale-boosting victory against European giants, Barcelona. Before that, they ended their six-match winless streak with a 4- 0 win against West Ham at the Hawthorns.

Sergio Aguero did not get on the score sheet against Barcelona, but proved to be turning into the striker that Guardiola had been crying out to see, with his diligent pressing of the Catalan defenders, and his movement and positioning when City were without possession. Ilkay Gundogan seems to be flourishing in an advanced position after scoring his second brace of the season against the Catalans (his first was against West Brom).

Middlesbrough, like their opponents, enjoyed a successful weekend last time out, when they beat Bournemouth 2-0 at home to end an eight-match winless streak across all competition, but it is doubtful they will be feeling more confident than their hosts.

Of their 8 home matches, Manchester City have won 6 (75%), and drawn the remaining 2, leaving them unbeaten at the Etihad so far this season.

Middlesbrough can take confidence from the fact that out of their 5 away matches, they have lost just once, drawn 3 (that includes an in-form Arsenal team), won 1, scored 4 goals and conceded just 5, which is a pretty decent statistics for a team just returning from the Championship.

INJURY CONCERN and SUSPENSION

MANCHESTER CITY: Fabian Delph is a long term absentee, Sagna remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, while Fernandinho needs to pass a late fitness test after picking up a knock against Barcelona. There are no suspension worries.

MIDDLESBROUGH: Marten De Roon, Christian Stuani and David Ayala are all doubtful with knocks, while Gaston Ramirez is suspended.