Preview-Bolton Wanderers v Manchester City

Bolton and Man City are both coming off big 4-0 wins last weekend, but the ability of the two clubs to maintain those types of performances is, of course, quite different.

The match is at the Reebok, but so far this season home teams have not faired very well.  This fixture also starts a very difficult run for the Trotters.  After City, there is an early midweek Carling Cup tie against Macclesfield.  I would say this will give some of the fringe players a chance to impress, but given our injury list and relatively lean squad, there are not a whole lot of fringe players to use.  Either way, Macclesfield should be dealt with.  Maybe Tuncay Sanli will get his first start, and that will be reason enough to tune in.

That's when it gets tricky.  Bolton are away at Liverpool next weekend, and while I don't believe the Merseyside club is a title challenger, they are unlikely to allow the Wanderers to pick up 3 points.  The international break is then followed by a visit from Manchester United.  United will probably win via an Own Goal, a penalty, a dodgy sending off, and 11 minutes of stoppage time.



Then finally a winnable game in Norwich away, but after that it's Arsenal and Chelsea back-to-back.  Given all that, a point (or three) from City today is quite important.

This week's hype machine in England has focused on Sergio Aguero, Man City's new signing.  before the season started, Aguero's 4 excellent seasons in Spain counted for nothing, but his impressive 20 minutes against Swansea have made him a media sensation.  Aguero is a hell of a talent, but I am not that worried about him today.  First of all, he is just coming off an injury, and I don't think he can play 90 minutes yet.  Second, his biggest problem in Spain, the whole of Atletico Madrid's problem to be honest, was that he felt games like this were beneath him, and did not bother to turn up.  Let's hope the entire man City squad takes that approach today.

I think this will be an exciting, open match, and a wonderful spectacle for the league, but Wanderers just don't have the horses.  2-1 to City.