English Premier
2012-10-06 - Manchester City vs Sunderland
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Saturday 6 October 2012 - Kick Off 12:45pm
This game is live on TV
Manchester City
After the first Champions League game of the season, Joe Hart was criticised by Roberto Mancini for being too vocal in his criticisms, but after the second game the manager could only sing the praises of his goalkeeper. If it wasn't for Hart, Manchester City could be in a desperate spot in the Group as they now focus on their final Premier League game for a couple of weeks.
A 1-2 win at Fulham last week pushed City back up to 4th in the table and they are 4 points behind leaders Chelsea who will be playing later in the day against Norwich City. They have a 2-1-0 record at home so far this season, scoring 7 goals and conceding 4 which makes them the 3rd joint highest scorers at home so far, but that defence is a bit of a problem.
City have only won 1 of their last 6 games in all competitions, that coming last week at Craven Cottage. They have now failed to win any of their last 3 at home in all competitions, drawing all 3 of those games. Previous to that run, City had won 12 of 13 in all competitions and they are unbeaten in 16 at home since a 0-1 loss to Liverpool in the League Cup.
Maicon and Micah Richards are both set to miss this game, but otherwise Roberto Mancini should have a full squad to choose from.
Sunderland
Martin O'Neill finally put a win on the board in the League last week as his new signing Steven Fletcher continues his hot start to the season. This is a tough test for their unbeaten record, although they will remember being 1-3 up here last season as the only side that didn't lose a League game at the Etihad Stadium last season.
Sunderland are 13th in the table and are still to be beaten in the League, but 4 draws from their first 5 League games gives them 7 points for the season. The side have drawn all 3 away games they have played so far, scoring 3 goals and conceding 3 in those games.
The side are unbeaten in all 7 games they have played so far this season as they have also progressed through to the fourth round of the Capital One Cup. Sunderland have now won back to back games in all competitions, while they are unbeaten in 4 away games in all competitions including a 0-2 win at MK Dons in their last outing.
Phil Bardsley and Wes Brown are pushing to prove their fitness ahead of this game, while Carlos Cuellar should be available. Lee Cattermole is suspended following a sending off in the Capital One Cup.
Head to Head
It was a really entertaining game between these two sides last season which ended 3-3 thanks to two late Manchester City goals as they trailed 1-3.
That snapped a poor record for Sunderland who had previously lost 7 in a row at Manchester City.
Prediction
The home side have been in mixed form of late and they look lost defensively at time which really is giving teams the chance to put the pressure on them. Roberto Mancini believes he knows the solution to the Manchester City problems, but we may not see the full effects of that until after the international break.
I think Sunderland will feel they can take advantage of the City issues, especially with the likes of Adam Johnson coming back to prove himself after being allowed to leave in the Summer.
Steven Fletcher is scoring goals so it wouldn't be the biggest surprise if Sunderland do get on the scoreboard in this one.
City are still looking powerful going forward and I think they will be able to hurt the Sunderland side that have been quite good defensively for the most part this season. However, West Ham United created a lot of chances against them in a recent game at Upton Park and City do have the players to take advantage.
I still believe City will win, but not at 1.28 and so I will instead take them to win and at least 3/4 goals scored which is offered at 2.80 by Paddy Power.
If Sunderland score, it may make life easier for this pick to come in, but City are also a capable side to score 3 themselves. My biggest concern is that City come in and crush Sunderland as they did the season before last in a 5-0 home win, but the 2.80 is appealing enough that I'll have a small interest.
The Statistics :
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Pick :
Manchester City 3-1 Sunderland
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back Manchester City Win and 3/4 Goals Scored @ 2.80 (Paddy Power)
