Preview: Boro v City

May 09, 2008

Andreas Isaksson

CITY goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson has been recalled for the Barclays Premier League match at Middlesbrough on Sunday.

Isaksson has endured a frustrating campaign with Joe Hart the preferred choice between the posts.

Micah Richards, Nedum Onuoha and Valeri Bojinov remain sidelined for what could be Sven-Goran Eriksson's last match in charge.

Log on on Sunday for line-ups, live text commentary and stats on the game

Middlesbrough defender Chris Riggott could keep his place for the game.

Riggott started and scored in last weekend’s 2-0 win over Portsmouth which secured the club’s top-flight status after being recalled from his loan spell at Stoke.

He is likely to figure again with Robert Huth (foot) still missing, while midfielder Mohamed Shawky is out with a back problem which could see him miss Egypt’s summer internationals.

Middlesbrough (from): Schwarzer, Turnbull, Jones, Young, Taylor, Grounds, McMahon, Wheater, Pogatetz, Riggott, Boateng, Arca, Downing, Rochemback, Cattermole, Johnson, Aliadiere, Alves, Tuncay.

Manchester City (from): Isaksson, Elano, Corluka, Ball, Dunne, Jihai, Garrido, Vassell, Caicedo, Gelson, Johnson, Petrov, Ireland, Geovanni, Mwaruwari, Castillo, Logan, Hart.

Last season: Boro 0 City 2

Key opponent: Stewart Downing - Gifted winger with a fierce shot

Prediction: Boro 1 City 1 - It should be a close game if not the most keenly contested

Agree with the prediction? Have your say.

You can get 17/2 on City winning 1-0 with Betfred. For this and more odds, click here.

| Submit Comments | Comments (42) |

Showing comments 1 to 25 and replies | View All

(Sam Haggar) SVEN AND FRANK SKY BLUE ARMY COME ON CITY!!! (09/05/2008 at 16:18)

City team to play Middlesbrough

Gk Isaksson

RB Logan CB Corluka CB Dunne LB Ball

RM Vassell CM Johnson CM Fernandes LM Petrov

AM Elano
CF Benjani

subs Hart Hamann Ireland Castilio Sturridge

City win 2-0 Benjabi and Elano

P.S CITY FANS SHOW YOUR SUPPOT FOR SVEN AGAIN

COME CITY!!!

blueloon, Northwich (09/05/2008 at 16:34)

No bookings or sending offs city uefa cup depends on it

Harry Skinters (09/05/2008 at 16:47)

I don't care if we get stuffed 0 -6 as long as it is a nice calm peaceful incident free game!

Jack Thorley Trafford, Trafford (09/05/2008 at 16:47)

With City not wishing to damage our last chance to gain entry into the EUFA CUP it is no surprise that Didi Hamaan is left out yet again our king of the yellow cards may now sadly have played his last game for the blues.The inclusion of Isaksson is either a sentimental gesture from Sven to his fellow countryman or a slap on the wrist for Joe for telling everyone how low paid he is!

dennis tueart's lovechild, Bury (09/05/2008 at 17:02)

Is Hart injured, or has he thrown a hissy fit because his Contract offer was not what he expected?

james marshall (09/05/2008 at 17:07)

Please please play Logan in preference to Sun and lets have a last game flurry of goals. Presume Andreas needs a game.

Haartuss (09/05/2008 at 18:44)

This is what I'v been waiting for. Izzy on the pitch again!

Hayman of Rugby, Long Lawford (09/05/2008 at 19:04)

Let Boro, win 6-0 -- by not making any tackles rather than risk red or yellow cards -- and then cheer Boro' off after the game and we will surely top the Fair Play League.
C'mon City ... don't get stuck into them 'cos Europe is at stake !!

sirsvenis (09/05/2008 at 19:14)

Why...? Hart offered new contract with 2 years left but rejects it... Isaksson plays next game. I'm hoping it's nothing more than some daft sentimental 'last farewell' thing, that or Hart is injuired.

StretfordBLUE, Virginia (09/05/2008 at 19:19)

I predict 1-2 City win. Come on City, let's end the season on a blaze of BLUES Glory!!

Jim Land (09/05/2008 at 23:10)

Joe Hart:

-44% votes for player of the season;

-Sven says should play for England one day;

-Sven drops him for next match;

wot da flip?

"In Sven we trust ?" or "in Sven we are completely baffled!"

Bristol Blue, Bristol (10/05/2008 at 00:32)

Can't believe this squad - what are Sun and Caicedo doing in it? Another opportunity to blood our good young players. Ho hum, roll on next season.

Howard (10/05/2008 at 10:57)

I am not a Sven fan, though I don't agree with the way he has been treated. Seeing this squad only underlines his pathetic defensive no risk tactics. Unable to change a game when losing (England job remember) no positive attacking plan at any stage this year particularly against the Derby's, Birmingham and Fulham's of this world. Who's performances against cost a European spot. Back to the squad, why Ball and Sun? Unbelievable! I know there are some Ball fans out there, but watch him! He gets dragged inside in every game. Has error against Liverpool. Goodbye Sven. I don't believe any good manager will now come to City (unless a pure money deal) after the way Thaksin has behaved.

Old User, Nowhere (10/05/2008 at 10:59)

fort of a NEW BENJANI SONG today, its a rip of the santa cruz one, but miles better n two funny versus hope it catches on, so either repost it and sing it tomorrow, live in oz so no way i can get it to catch on so please ava look !!!! ....

(tune of santa claus's cumin to town)

YOU BETTER WATCH OUT,
YOU BETTER BEWARE,
HES GOOD ON THE GROUND,
AND HES GOT CRAZY HAIR,
BEN-JANI IS COMING TO TOWN

YOU BETTER CHECK-IN,
YOU BETTER NOT SLEEP,
HE PLAYS FOR CIT-Y,
AND HE SCORES EVERY WEEK,
BEN-JANI IS COMING TO TOWN !!!

COPYWRITED ADAM REID 10.5.08 ! << LOL

Peter Jones (10/05/2008 at 11:11)

I suspect Hart has been dropped at the request of his new club... Think about it. Why else?

(Sam Haggar) SVEN AND FRANK SKY BLUE ARMY COME ON CITY!!! (10/05/2008 at 11:35)

City fans i think Sven has put Isaksson in goal because he will be playing his last game and his attude has been briliant after he has been on the bench most of the season

Jesper, Copenhagen (10/05/2008 at 11:39)

Spooky. Hope everything is ok with Joe Hart, he's out best player this season, would be a terrible loss if he's unsatisfied with the current situation and wants to leave.

blueloon, Northwich (10/05/2008 at 12:02)

Whats happened to Bojinov

Bluereed (10/05/2008 at 12:41)

No bookings please lads,just don't go in for any 50-50 tackles and that should be ok re UEFA CUP.

tommybates, Manchester (10/05/2008 at 13:23)

Again we go into a match in anticipation of defeat.
Off topic just checked out how many times we've come back from behind to even draw a match, frightening.
Goodby Sven you know you can't hack the Premiership unless you had £200 mill to spend, but anybody can do that,you bankrupted Lazio we would have been next.

steve zodiac (10/05/2008 at 13:32)

nice comment jesper you rag.

g2thesmith (10/05/2008 at 14:22)

NO BOOKINGS!

LEE BRADBURY CITY RUINED MY LIFE (10/05/2008 at 14:23)

I cant believe Sun will be playing if we seriously want this fair play spot?

Anyway avoid all 50 50s especially you petrov ? (Tongue in cheek),

The score is irrelevant we want Europe next season, if the football has to suffer for one match I am sure genuine fans won’t mind on this occasion.

(nearly forgot)
No stitching us up ?

IceBlueHelsinki (10/05/2008 at 14:40)

Isaksson deserves a chance, for showing good morale. Isaksson desperately needs a game to show why he should be joining Sweden in the European Championship - this would also make him easier to sell. Surely even Hart understands that; putting Isaksson in the shopping window will strengthen his own possition.

//In Sven we trust!

REDSEADOG, lovely thank's (10/05/2008 at 17:43)

boro will hammer you,end of storey.

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