mancityblues.com

I really don't know where to start with this one. Biggest game of the season? Check. Major scores to be settled? Check. Title race in the balance? Check. Fourth place going down to the wire? Check. We all recognize the importance of this fixture, that's for sure, and what a fantastic position City find themselves in at this stage of the campaign, whatever the result on Saturday. Baconface and Co. come into this game arguably as underdogs, even though the official odds rate United as marginal favourites, but one could debate that the bookies are basing their prices on the availability of Wayne Rooney. Just how healthy is the striker, and is a 70% fit Rooney a game-changer?

As for the injury roster at City, it seems that Mancini has an almost complete squad to choose from, although there are doubts about Richards and, more worryingly, Adam Johnson. Ireland is available, and maybe Petrov, but the status of Bridge is uncertain at the time of writing - even if he has recovered from injury, he is surely not match-fit, especially for such a high intensity encounter. So the left-back position remains an issue, and considering that the opposition comes in the form of Valencia and/or Nani, one can assume that Ferguson will target this area of perceived weakness. Mancini would appear to be no fan of Javier Garrido, so with the return of Zabaleta from suspension it's a good bet that the Argentine will be given the nod, unless Bridge is considered ready.

So how will City approach this vital game? The big question is formation, rather than personnel - 4-4-2 has been working well for Mancini in recent weeks, albeit against weaker opposition than United, and usually Ferguson prefers to play 4-5-1, relying on a powerful midfield and speedy wide-players to win the day. Can Barry and De Jong counter, and create against, a three-man midfield of (presumably) Carrick, Fletcher and Park/Gibson/Scholes? If Mancini chooses a 4-3-3/4-5-1, the return of Patrick Vieira in harness with Barry, and De Jong patrolling in front of the defense looks, on paper, a smart move. The big Frenchman offers a presence and awareness that may allow the likes of Tevez, Bellamy and AJ/SWP to get behind the United defenders. On the other hand, dropping Adebayor, just when he is finding good form and an understanding with Tevez, would seem unwise, and as this is a must-win game for United, one can assume that there will be space available for Ade to take advantage of. It's a tough call, but perhaps looking back to the Carling Cup tie may give one some clarity - when Mancini changed to a 4-4-2 and really went for United, City caused all kinds of problems for Ferguson's team. Additionally, it wouldn't be a surprise to see United try a 4-4-2 formation themselves, such is their hunger for three points - perhaps Macheda/Berbatov will play alongside Rooney . Therefore, I'd go with the following line-up for this game -

---------------------Given-------------------------

Onouha--------Toure-----------Kompany------Zaba

-------------DeJong--------------Barry-------------

AJ(SWP)-------------------------------------Bellamy

------------------Tevez----------------------------

---------------------------Adebayor----------------

Bench: Taylor.Garrido(Bridge).Boyata.Vieira.Ireland.SWP.
RSC.

Ned deserves his place in the team, and if he keeps his wits about him then the lad should have the tools to handle Nani or Valencia, although Evra is a real threat from left-back - AJ or SWP will need to help out when needed. As discussed above, Zaba is given the left-back slot, although his relative lack of pace may be a concern - he needs to watch for needless fouls in dangerous areas. De Jong has a very important role - as part of a two-man central midfield, he will need to expand his usual repertoire from just breaking up play, yet the Dutchman must be aware of Rooney's ability to create from deeper positions. Barry is in good form right now, and he'll need to bring Bellamy and Tevez into play as much as possible. In the case of Tevez, he has been playing in a much deeper role now that Ade is back in the team, almost becoming a third midfielder. So far, that tactic has worked well, but Adebayor cannot be allowed to become isolated against the likes of Ferdinand and Vidic, nor should Tevez become bogged down in the trench-warfare of a midfield battle - it's a balance that will be crucial to City's success. I'd like to see plenty of crosses and passes, even speculative, played into the United area at pace - their defenders do not cope well with this kind of ball, and Bellamy and AJ certainly have this in their lockers. If AJ is unfit, SWP must bring his best game to the table on Saturday to make an impression on Evra, but the City winger does have the ability to do the defensive work when required.

In conclusion, a victory would be a huge bonus for City, giving us three points that Spurs would likely find demoralizing. My head is telling me not to expect that, but anything is possible, especially if Rooney is below-par, and Tevez and Ade continue to do the business.

~Bloovic~