Preview
Another game and yet another animal to tame. This time it's the Tigers and it's a must win for our boys in blue.
Our tears have dried (only just) and last week's catastrophe in Cardiff is now just a mere malicious, morbid memory. Manuel, no doubt, will have welcomed his minions into training with a slapped bottom or two and words will have been said. One positive is that our Chilean Godfather has been given an early opportunity to kick the squad into shape. Saturday is their test.
City's away record against workmen-like teams such as Cardiff and Stoke is nothing short of appalling. In the past, they've plugged our creativity with ease and drained the magic from the wands of David Silva and Sergio Aguero. The same happened on Sunday and Mr. Pellegrini will have been in search of a remedy.
With one win and one loss, Steve Bruce will be content with his sides start to the 2013/2014 campaign. An opening day defeat to Chelsea was expected, but the introduction of new signings Tom Huddlestone and Jake Livermore injected Hull with a dose of flair and solidity. They matched Mourinho's side in the second half, but a lack of firepower up top sealed their demise.
However, the Tigers got the better of a rejuvenated Norwich side last Saturday thanks to tricky Irish winger Robbie Brady. Even more impressively, the newly promoted outfit earned the victory with only ten men after Yannick Sagbo was shown a straight red card for a headbutt on Russel Martin.
The Tigers will definitely show some bite on Saturday afternoon, but the blues are a completely different force on home territory. We need to get back on track and so Bruce's Tigers should prepare for a full scale attack.
4-1
Line-Up
Alvaro Negredo's late cameo against Cardiff saw him net his first goal of the season and many are expecting the Spaniard to feature in tomorrow's starting eleven. Despite scoring a cracker to give the blues the lead last weekend, Edin Dzeko is likely to surrender his place to make way for a never seen before Aguero-Negredo partnership. Tasty.
Alvaro Negredo nets a late consolation for City against Cardiff
Matija Nastasic is expected to make the bench, however, he is yet to reach full fitness. Javi Garcia's uncomfortable performance against the Bluebirds could mean a start for Dedryck Boyata.
Key Men
Sergio Aguero
I was frustrated by Aguero last weekend. He held on to the ball for too long and refused to shoot. For defenders, he's always a frightening prospect but his record away from home needs to improve. Despite that, the Argentine's form at the Eastlands is ferocious and he possesses an admirable record against newly promoted teams with 8 goals in the Premier League.
Tom Huddlestone
The English midfielder did a fine job of weathering the storm at Stamford Bridge and always has the ability to test the keeper from long distances. City's midfield is arguably the league's best and Huddlestone will have the job of trying to keep them at bay.
