Preview: City v Boro

March 31, 2006

BACK IN THE FRAME: Georgios Samaras

GEORGIOS Samaras is set for a surprise return on Sunday as Manchester City try to revive their flagging campaign against Middlesbrough.

It was anticipated Samaras would be out for at least another week with an ankle injury, but the é6million Greek striker came through a training session on Thursday and could now line up against Boro.

Trevor Sinclair and Antoine Sibierski should be fit, but Andy Cole and Nedum Onuoha (knee), Stephen Jordan and Joey Barton (ankle), plus Claudio Reyna (shoulder), are out. Skipper Sylvain Distin and Sun Jihai are both suspended.

The Blues have lost their last three league games, and have not beaten Boro since December 1997, but will hope to take advantage of Boro's tired legs. Steve McClaren's men were beaten 2-0 in the first leg of their UEFA Cup clash with Basle on Thursday evening.

Boro defender Emanuel Pogatetz is out of Sundayés trip after suffering an horrendous head injury in that game.

The Austrian player broke his nose and was thought to have fractured his skull, although he was allowed to travel home from Switzerland after it was revealed a cheekbone may have borne the brunt of the impact.

Skipper Gareth Southgate remains a doubt with back and ankle problems, but George Boateng and Lee Cattermole return to the squad after suspension.

Manchester City (from): James, Weaver, D Mills, Dunne, Thatcher, Sommeil, Richards, Croft, Sinclair, Ireland, Musampa, Vassell, Sibierski, Samaras, Wright-Phillips, Flood, M Mills, Miller, Grimes, Laird.

Middlesbrough (from): Schwarzer, Jones, Parnaby, Queudrue, Taylor, Southgate, Riggott, Ehiogu, Davies, Bates, Boateng, Cattermole, Doriva, Downing, Mendieta, Parlour, Rochemback, Morrison, Yakubu, Hasselbaink, Viduka, Maccarone.

Last season: City 1 Boro 1

Key opponent: Yakubu - Powerful striker has huge potential and a good goal-scoring record

Prediciton: City 1 Boro 0

Agree with the prediciton? Have your say.

You can get 8/1 on City winning 2-0 with Betfred. For this and more odds, click here.

| Submit Comments | Comments (42) |

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Peter, Manchester (31/03/2006 at 11:07)

If we remember that Jimmy "Big Eddy Murphy" Hassellbank can shoot and try to stop him we should be OK - wish he'd played for us!

Jonathan Bullio, Location (31/03/2006 at 11:20)

Why the hell risk him??!!!

RJKS, Stretford (31/03/2006 at 11:30)

James, D Mills, Dunne, Thatcher, Sommeil, Richards, Sinclair, Ireland, Musampa, Samaras & Miller. Subs; BWP, Vassell, Weaver, Flood & Grimes.

Mat, Bredbury (31/03/2006 at 11:43)

with nothing more to play for than pride and a couple of places in the league, and given that Boro played last night, I reckon this one has 0-0 written all over it,hope I'm wrong of course and the boys put Middlesboring to the sword,but with so many players out I can't see it happening.

Tim, Poynton (31/03/2006 at 11:44)

great stuff

Blue Tiger, Virginia (31/03/2006 at 11:56)

Boro will have their eyes on the 2nd leg of their game in Europe, CITY should take advantage of this and win.

TRUE BLUE, MIDDLRSBROUGH (31/03/2006 at 12:05)

Come on YOU BLUES ive had years of missery not beating this shower,but,with Mike Riley reffing i wont hold my breath.

Nicky S, Burnage (31/03/2006 at 12:16)

Great news that Cole is well and truely finished isnt it? Samaras looks a real talent and with Vassell they could become one of the most feared partnerships in the league. Terminate cole's contract now, let him put his poor dirty red feet up after what has been a poor career

The Pope, Rome (31/03/2006 at 12:22)

well we have half a chance with Sam back in the squad

Dave, Moston (31/03/2006 at 12:45)

Yes Nicky S, it truly is fantastic news that our top scorer is 'well and truly finished'. Marvellous.

DJ, Chorlton (31/03/2006 at 12:47)

We will never rush a player back from injury before he is fully fit, ideally with an outing for the reserves: those were the comments by Pearce when he took over, probably with a loaded dig at the Keegan regime. Seems a bit dodgy to me. At first it was a 6 week job, then within 2 weeks he is coming back.
I'm going to repeat myself again until someone at the club gets the message: it doesn't matter who is picked in the team, if we don't pass the ball around on the floor, and players running into space, we won't win matches. Please make the team watch the midweek Arsenal match for a lesson.

Neil Allen, Gibraltar (31/03/2006 at 12:53)

Not a cat in hells chance of City not only winning this match but keeping a clean sheet....comon mUen your having a LARF.

At the moment this current City team couldn't win an argument, never mind a 90 minute football match.

Jimmy, Swindon (31/03/2006 at 13:20)

Viduka and Hasslebannk have a great scoring record against us; coupled with the fact that we never beat 'Boro, add to that our dreadful injury list, I can't see us winning this one somehow!!

Nick Smith, London (31/03/2006 at 13:25)

I'm getting all my predictions wrong for the last month. I said City would win their last 3 games even against Chelsea. So this time, I will play the curse and predict City will lose 2-0 against Middlesborough, hopefully I'm wrong again!

Chris, Chorley (31/03/2006 at 13:31)

Would like to see Flood given a chance on the right, but given he'd be up against the monster that is Frank Quedrue, probably not a good idea. Croft to start, Flood on the bench, let Tricky get fit before he returns. My XI: James, Mills, Dunne, Richards, Thatcher, Croft, Ireland, Musampa, Riera, Vassell, Samaras. Subs: Weaver, Sommiel, Flood, Sibierski, BWP.

Joe, Sandbach (31/03/2006 at 13:36)

I hope you are taking the mick Nicky. Otherwise, get a life

Craig, Alty (31/03/2006 at 13:48)

Having George back is a big boost to both the team and the fans. With Sinclair and Sibs also available, at least there is a bit more competition for places. I'd still start with Croft on the right. Plus with Boro getting beat last night I fancy us for a win on Sunday.

ablueneville, somewhere in yorkshire (31/03/2006 at 13:56)

Nicky S, you make Fred the Red almost seem sensible.

Phil, Sheffield (31/03/2006 at 13:59)

Nicky S, that is a truly appalling comment, but there again, given your past form, you don't surprise me. Not only is it not true that Cole finished but your comment about a current City player who has brought a lot to the club. Just do one, Nicky S. Those kind of comments are more akin to the Swamp.

Snerkson Snr., South Africa (31/03/2006 at 14:03)

You are a sad act nicky S. I do agree however, that Vassel and Samaras will be a massive presence in the PL.
I'll be on the edge of my seat till the final whistle, cringing every time Samaras goes down this next match. I hope he gets through it A-okay!

Go City!!!

paul ainsworth, napton (31/03/2006 at 14:26)

we never beat Boro', they are our bogey team

Peter, Manchester (31/03/2006 at 14:45)

Nicky S - what a stupid individual you are. Putting aside your hatred for anyone who has ever even been past old trafford on the tram, you should at least realise that we cannot rely on Vassell and Samaras alone. With Andy Cole (who I personally think has done well for us) out we have been well and truely lacking up front since George got injured. Vas is not an out and out striker, he is far better playing "off" someone, and BWP is not up to it in the premiership (yet if ever - hope he proves me wrong.) So to suggest terminating Cole's contract is rediculous unless of course you know something that the rest of us don't and we're going to sign a couple of world class strikers in the summer. Grow up and don't be so pathetic.

Eric Jonker, Zoetermeer, NL (31/03/2006 at 15:03)

Nicky S., long time since you rattled on about AC. Not worth mentioning, but I already did.
Sundays match is a tough one with all the injuries left. Boro themselves might rest a few players, so it will be pretty unpredictable. But how can I enjoy my time living up to Sundays match by not being the slightest positive? Can't, so I say 2-1, 3 points and a bit of good feel factor back in the squad.

Bertie Blue Nose, Eastlands (31/03/2006 at 15:10)

Well done those fans having a pop at Nicky S. What a buffoon you are. An injury-free Cole would have scored 20 goals this season. He's not played for weeks and is still top scorer, I think. Nothing sensible to say? Then say nothing.

Nicky S, Burnage (31/03/2006 at 15:11)

Abunville, or whatever you're name is, that fred the red comment was below the belt, you all know I despise all things red, and that includes Andrew the hasbeen Cole. He's a red muppet who had a mediocre career to say the least. We are too big a club to accept their cast offs, let alone Fulham ones. There is no doubt that the Vas-Sam combo is much more mouth watering than pairing them with red hasbeen who needs five chances to score!

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