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Luis wrote:I think this City side has transformed completely under Sven, I didn't expect it to either, I thought there would be too many new players and they would find it hard to adapt, not only are they looking good on the pitch but they look to have a great team spirit as well, something they might of lacked last season with a bit of trouble from Joey Barton etc.
They have real quality now and a lot of strength throughout the team, they haven't conceded a goal yet so that's always a good sign.
United on the other hand have a had a massively dissapointing start, a lot of people thought they were going to be even better than last year but it doesn't always work like that, they've been git with a few injuries but for me they just don't seem to have that little edge they had last year where they could cut open a team at any minute, now they're getting crowded out, they're being battled with and it seems people know how to prevent United from really performing so far.
I think the big thing for City is that they are at home on sunday, a place that wasn't very lively last season but now with the new confidence of the team, the fans will be excited and will genuinely believe they can beat United and add to their misery.
I think without Rooney and Ronaldo it will be extremely tough for United, they are key players for them and they'll be relying on the new boy Tevez, I think the game will be a fast one with City trying to close down United at every oppurtunity, I'm going for a draw on this one.
The only problem i see is the forward attack line with Tevez , Nani Giggs (if this is the line which i expect) Nani is new to the League and many thought he be a impact player coming of the bench etc , but with the Ronaldo suspension Rooney injury he will be a regular for the next 3 games guaranteed , shown promise for sure. Tevez has Premiership experience which is good and a 'like for like' Rooney replacement as many say and is used to BIG derbies see Boca v River Plate & Corinthians v Sao Paulo .. but he is lacking match fitness , but against Pompey he can finish 90 minutes , just hope he can be effective like he was for West Ham in the 2nd half of last season. With Giggs out of the 6 midfield/attack players against Pompey .. he had the least successful 'completion pass rate' and him not being the 'speedy winger' he was , with his central role .. will Tevez be drifting to the left ... No Hargreaves , maybe Fletcher or O'Shea* in midfield with Scholes + Carrick , expect the same back 4.
Probable team:
...................... vDS
........ Brown - Rio - Vidic - Evra
............. Fletcher* - Carrick
................... Scholes
........... Nani - Giggs - Tevez
