Broken Record Time. Say it with me: "Tevez who?"
Both Manchester clubs won in the Champions League today – setting up their form quite nicely for this weekend’s massive #1 vs #2 Manchester derby.
Sergio Aguero led Roberto Mancini’s men to their first ever Champions League win with a 2-1 win over Villarreal.
Meanwhile, Wayne Rooney, well rested after being left out of the starting lineup at Anfield over the weekend, contributed 2 goals (both from the penalty spot) as Sir Alex Ferguson’s men won 2-0 over Otelul Galati in Bucharest.
Despite the away win, with the Manchester derby coming up this weekend, the Red Devils will surely want to improve on their mediocre (by all accounts) performance in Romania. Surely the likes of J.S. Park, Ashley Young and others will be looking for a start in a typical ‘big match’ at Old Trafford.
The big question remains around rotation and lineup selection for both sides… Will Mancini go with Balotelli and Aguero at Old Trafford? One or the other? Will Dzeko make an appearance? Will the in-form Adam Johnson (at 7M) get another league start or will he be sacrificed for his lack of defensive qualities?
Will Sir Alex play both Nani and Ashley Young, or just one or the other? Both are 10M+ fantasy footie assets and managers will be sweating the possibility of one dropping to the bench in favor of a Giggs or J.S. Park… Ashley Young looks set to come in for Valencia… Perhaps Rio Ferdinand will also return to the starting lineup…
Will Chicharito play or will Danny Welbeck? Or neither?
Both Manchester clubs have chopped and changed in recent weeks – before and after the international break, with the Champions League in full effect, and a busier domestic schedule, but fantasy managers need to keep faith with their prized assets, and really more than anything else, ‘cross their fingers.’
Aguero and Rooney are your best bets for investment if you expect goals this coming weekend, as they look the least likely players to be sacrificed in such a marquee matchup.
It’s all Manchester, all the time, both in Europe and in England this season. What a fantastic start to the season. My gut would say that Mancini will revert to his somewhat defensive tactics for this one – and play for a draw, as that will keep City at the top of the table for the time being. Going for a win at Old Trafford is always a risk. With that in mind, look for City to soak up the pressure and hope that David Silva will be able to keep enough possession in tight areas to start the counter-attack. The Community Shield was an amazing 5-goal spectacle and I hope we’re in for some more of the same…
Can’t wait for Sunday.
Related posts:
I am looking forward to this weekend’s game as well. With the recent influx of cash, Manchester City has become a team to be reckoned with. I agree when you say going for a win at Old Trafford is a risk – those fans sure let the opposing players hear it.
Pingback: Fantasy Premier League Gameweek 9 Preview | Never Captain Nicky Butt