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It's going to be crystal ball time for this game, as there are a number of unresolved issues at the time of writing. City will potentially be without Toure and Zabaleta (and perhaps Nigel De Jong) through injury, and with news today that Bellamy and Lescott are also a doubt, selection may pose a little difficulty. However, Hughes and his team go into Sunday's clash against the Latics with the best City squad in decades (or ever?), and, if we play the right game, will feel that a positive result is likely.

(Hughes) remains hopeful, and has fingers crossed that playing on Sunday will work to his advantage.
"With 48 hours to the game, things can still resolve themselves. We will give everybody the maximum time to give them a chance to play. With the start we have made we don't want to go into games making wholesale changes because of injuries, so it’s a case of hoping that over the next 24 to 48 hours everything will settle down."

As for Wigan, they are still finding their feet under new manager Roberto Martinez - a victory against Chelsea being followed by a defeat versus Hull - but they should not be underestimated. Wigan have the type of players that City often struggle against, and our recent results against the Lancashire side have been poor, so expect a typically tough game. Individuals such as Rodalegga, Koumas, Sinclair and De Ridder have the abilities to turn a game, but watch for the midfield duo of Momo Diame and Hendry Thomas - it was these two that won the battle against the Chelsea engine room. In addition, the Wigan defense can be resolute, possessing the much-maligned Titus Bramble and underrated left-back Maynor Figueroa (who I feel is a better defender than City's Wayne Bridge - tin hat on).

KEY BATTLES

Lescott vs Rodallega - the City defender will need to raise his game, as there is a small chance that Kolo Toure may be unavailable - who will replace him?

Barry and Ireland vs Diame and Thomas - whoever controls the midfield should win the game. Both City midfielders are due top performances.

Richards vs N'Zogbia - big game for Micah - can he silence the critics?

Bellamy vs Melchiot - both very experienced, should be a good encounter.

SWP vs Figueroa - this flank will be critical, as Figueroa is decent going forward and defensively.

Ade vs Bramble - time for Adebayor to shake off the rust.

My pick for Sunday, assuming all but Zabalata are fit -

Given

Richards Toure Lescott Bridge

De Jong
Barry

SWP Ireland Bellamy

Adebayor

SWP is in for his all-round game - I considered Tevez, but figured he might be tired from international duty - but the winger has to deliver or Tevez is on at some point. Bellamy to continue on the left, unless of course he is definitely unfit and needs to be replaced by Martin Petrov. Ireland should be fresh as a daisy for this one. If the injury situation warrants it, we may have to line up something like this -

Given

Richards Mee Lescott Bridge

Barry

Weiss SWP Ireland Petrov

Adebayor

Alan Wiley is referee for the game - let's hope he's been doing his cardio this week.

BLOOVIC