Manchester City v FC Timisoara
Football : Europa League, 1st round 2nd Leg
Thursday 26 August 2010 - Kickoff 7:45pm

This match is on TV

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Manchester City

Manchester City have made a fine start to the new, expectation filled season and have yet to concede a goal. Sheikh Mansour made his first visit to the City of Manchester Stadium since buying the club and seemed pleased with the reaction he got from the crowd as well as his teams performance. They now look to get through to the next stage of the Europa League after doing much of the hard work over in Romania.

City have won 2 of 3 games this season and, as mentioned, they are yet to concede a goal since naming Joe Hart as the Number 1. A good point at White Hart Lane was followed by an ominous 3-0 win over Liverpool at home on Monday night as they look to set a marker to all those who fancy claiming a top 4 berth this season. Roberto Mancini will not be buying any more players during this transfer window but the exit door is still wide open with a few days left until it closes till January.

Mario Balotelli missed making his home debut on Monday night after picking up a knee injury last week and he will not be risked here. Shay Given could possibly come in for Hart. Aleksander Kolorov, Jerome Boateng, Wayne Bridge and James Milner all miss out.

Possible Manchester City Line Up: Given, Richards, Kolo Toure, Kompany, Lescott, Vieira, Yaya Toure, Barry, Wright-Phillips, Silva and Adebayor (4-3-3)

FC Timisoara

It is clear to most neutrals that the best chance FC Timisoara had of causing an upset over 2 legs was to make a good start at home but they come here trailing by 1 goal although they were far from disgraced. The Romanian side showed a lot of grit and determination but this is going to be an altogether different test. Even with the rested players, City have a squad that more than provides adequate replacements.

FC Timisoara won only their 2nd game on the new domestic season over the weekend and will be hoping to recreate the effort they showed when gaining a 0-0 draw at the Amsterdam Arena versus Ajax last season. Timisoara lost at Anderlecht last season 3-1, their only defeat in their last 4 away games in Europe.

It is likely that Timisoara will pick the same 11 players that gave City so much grief last week for a long period of the game, although this is going to be a much tougher ask for the side here.

Prediction

Manchester City want to do well in all the competitions they are involved in this season and will not want to lose any momentum as we come up to the first International break of the season. It is a great chance to give some of their players European experience as well as speeding up the gelling process and they look far too strong for their opponents here.

FC Timisoara will feel they should have perhaps got something from the first leg but this is going to be an experience for their players to take into their own domestic campaign. While showing some resilience and good attitude last week, I think this is going to be a little easier for City.

The home win has been priced at a prohibitively short price and is only of interest to the real big hitters, even though City do not have to necessarily win this game. However, City should be far too strong with the squad their disposal, and there will be some players looking to impress as they look to get back into the first team for the League games.

I will take City on the handicap

The Pick :

Manchester City 3-0 FC Timisoara

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Manchester City -2 Asian Handicap