CITY have received a double boost ahead of the Bolton game, with Martin Petrov back from suspension and striker Benjani Mwaruwari expected to shrug of a hamstring strain in time.
The Zimbabwe international has been troubled by a minor problem this week but he should be back to face the struggling Trotters.
Richard Dunne is fine to play on despite a recent shin wound but Michael Ball and Micah Richards (both knee) remain on the sidelines, while Dietmar Hamann completes his two-match ban.
The Blues travel to the Reebok with the City chief Sven-Goran Eriksson expecting a tough game.
"It is very difficult to play the teams at the bottom," said Eriksson.
"It is not likely to be an open game. Bolton will be aggressive within the rules and fighting all over the pitch."
Kevin Nolan and Gary Cahill could both return for Bolton - although manager Gary Megson admits neither would be able to operate at 100%.
Midfielder and skipper Nolan is suffering from a persistent back injury while centre-back Cahill is still nursing a bruised foot suffered against Wigan last weekend.
Gavin McCann is another doubt for Wanderers after sustaining a calf injury in Wednesday’s defeat at Manchester United, and Megson rates the defensive midfielder’s chances as “50/50”.
Goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen is almost certainly out for the rest of the campaign with a back problem.
Manchester City (from): Hart, Corluka, Onuoha, Dunne, Garrido, Ireland, Fernandes, Johnson, Castillo, Elano, Benjani, Vassell, Caicedo, Sun, Isaksson, Geovanni, Sturridge.
Bolton Wanderers (from): Al Habsi, Nolan, Davies, Taylor, Diouf, Gardner, Campo, A O’Brien, McCann, Steinsson, Hunt, Samuel, Meite, Cahill, Giannakopoulos, Helguson, J O’Brien, Rasiak, Cohen, Walker.
Last season: Bolton 0 City 0
Key opponent: El-Hadji Diouf - Unpredictable forward has quality
Prediction: Bolton 0 City 1
Agree with the prediction? Have your say.
You can get 13/2 on City winning 1-0 with Betfred. For this and more odds, click
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Preview: Bolton v City
March 21, 2008
Comments
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Benjani
Petrov Elano Castillo
Johnson Fernandes
Garrido Monster Nedum Charlie
Harty
Thats four attack minded players up fron with Johnson getting forward as well. I think that will be Sven's team, unless he believes Ireland did enough to keep his place, at the expenxe of the the exciting Castillo(hopefully not!).
It won't be easy and Boulton will will play a physical game. City has to be up for this game and remain focus. Boulton are desperate for point, so 2-1 City win.
Its going to be like shelling peas this game with city winning at a canter.....RIGSBY must be chomping at the bit and he will merder them down the wing Bolt-on 0-city 3 get down to paddy power!!
City Team to play Bolton
GK Hart
RB Corluka CB Onouha CB Dunne LB Garrdio
RM Castlilo CM Johnson CM Fernandes LM Petrov
AM Elano
CF Benjani
Subs Isaksson Ireland Geovanni Vassell Bojinov
City win 2-0
will be a tough game as bolton fighting for survival. much as i hate to concede the point but i think sven will be well advised to play 1 up front and pack the midfield.petrov and caicedo should start for my money to inject pace and power.
hart
onuoha,dunne,corluka,ball
gelson
petrov,johnson,elano,caicedo
benjani
subs isaksson,vass,sturridge, castillo,hamman
Its time that some of the 'lightweights' rolled up the sleeves and got stuck in.
Fancy football is no good against teams like bolton.We need to be more physical, and adopt a never say die spirit.[like giles says!] We have some fine skillful players, but when the going gets tough, some dont want to know. [Elano, can you hear me?] I've been saying for a while now that our midfield needs a hardman. Untill we get one, unfortunatly we'll have to kep to 4-5-1 in most games.
sturridge has got to play sum part ;if he plays he will score end of,he could show on this playing field how good he really his needs is chance
Won't be easy as we were lucky to get the win at Eastlands. If we do not compete physically then we could lose an opportunity to close the gap. One name springs to mind when you think of a lightweight in the City midfield. We all know who it is. Leave him out please Sven.
Sorry, but I seriously can't see city getting anything here. Bolton will out battle us, all over the pitch. bolton 2 City 1.
lets play 2 or 3 up front.
I think the attacking quartet of-
rw- Castillo am - Elano lw - Petrov
cf - Benjani
picks its self.
should be a tough game against a struggling team.
elano, benjani and castillo .....one for el had doof
3-1.
We will not win a psysical battle against the likes of Bolton or B'ham. Lets play footie the way Sven wants it to be played, and that includes a 5 men midfield with Johnson-Elano-Ireland or with Johnson-Elano using the speed of Petrov and Castillo. It will be tough, like every game, so lets play smart and with hart. Prediction just about right: 1-0 to City.
bluefield, chesterfield
21/03/2008 at 13:01
Have you ever been happy being a blue? Perhaps city could run out to the mash theme, suicide is painless. Just for you!
I dont think this is the type of game for Elano, he'll be kicked all over the park, best left on the bench i think
With our star midfield lineup restored I can see us scoring at least three in this one, and winning quite comfortably.
Bolton are in freefall and only a shell of the side Big Sam had last season, and, since Anelka left, they've no strike force.
i can see bolton looking at the wigan game they will be up close and personal can see elano getting kicked chitless nery to score 1st in a 3 1 mauling
Bolton 4-city0 and you know its right.
getting a bit fed up of reading the same old get stuck in cliches
trying to outfight bolton would be playing to their strengths
the idea is to play your own game, dont let the oppositions physicality and gamesmanship stop u. either ignore it totally,or show you are up for it, but dont get sucked into playing the game they want!
Agree with you spider city to win this one.Rigsby on fire after his break.Just hope our players get out of this one injury free.Played them twice this season both wins 4.2 1.0 lets make it a treble.NON DOOM AND GLOOMER SITE.
The most important game of the season so far....since the last one.Would be an absolutely humongous three points. Let's hope we want it more than they do,eh?
CTID.
I wish I could offer you Stefan Schwartz, he was a midfield killer...hrm, back in those swedish days...
Anyway, I go with Bluefield, 2-1 to Bolton. Sorry guys but they played excellent against U.
Next season.........
We will win by at least 3 clear goals...
I'll be UP as usual at 1 am to watch the boys, I think this will be a hard game - but I think we may of turned the corner, and I think the result will be 2-3 --- in Favour of us..
I would play:Hart Corluka Onuoha Dunne Garrido Castillo Fernandes Johnson Petrov Elano Benjani
Subs:Isaksson Ireland Cascedo Vassell Sun
essoblues,
Your so right it will be hard but city will tear them up?