Sun 16th Nov - Kingston Communications Stadium
By Chris Burton Last updated: 3rd October 2008
Mascherano: Ready for City
Javier Mascherano has told Manchester City it will take longer than they think to become title challengers.
The Liverpool midfielder is set to come face-to-face with the ambitious Blues when Rafa Benitez's side make the short journey to Eastlands on Sunday.
With City now awash with riches following their takeover by the Abu Dhabi United Group the club have been made their ambitions for the future quite clear.
Domestic and European dominance is within their sights, with results expected sooner rather than later.
However, Argentina international Mascherano believes City need to be more realistic in their aspirations.
"We know they have a good team and they are stronger than last season, obviously," he said.
"They have a good manager and are improving a little bit more than before.
"They are looking to be in the top four and if they have the chance to fight for the title they will go for it.
"But we know how difficult it is in the Premier League, so maybe they will need a little bit more time to fight for titles."
For the time being, though, Mascherano's main concern is helping Liverpool build on their impressive start in the Premier League title race.
Should the Reds want to take maximum points from their trip to Manchester then stopping Brazilian playmaker Robinho could be crucial.
Mascherano admits he has faced the tricky winger many times in the past and is well aware of the considerable talent possessed by his fellow South American.
"I have played against him many times. I know him and he is a fantastic player with a lot of quality," he added.
"But obviously the Premier League is the most difficult league, so maybe he will find it tough. Having said that, he has already played some good games here."
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 22nd November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Man City vs Arsenal |
| Thursday 27th November | |
| UEFA Cup | |
| 18:00 | Schalke 04 vs Man City |
| Sunday 30th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | Man City vs Man Utd |
| Saturday 6th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 12:45 | Fulham vs Man City |
| Saturday 13th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Man City vs Everton |
| Sunday 21st December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | West Brom vs Man City |
| Friday 26th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Man City vs Hull |
| Sunday 28th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 14:00 | Blackburn vs Man City |
| Saturday 10th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Portsmouth vs Man City |
| Saturday 17th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Man City vs Wigan |
| Wednesday 28th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Man City vs Newcastle |
| Saturday 31st January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Stoke vs Man City |
| Saturday 7th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Man City vs Middlesbrough |
| Saturday 21st February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Liverpool vs Man City |
| Saturday 28th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | West Ham vs Man City |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Sunday 16th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Hull 2 - 2 Man City | |
| Sunday 9th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man City 1 - 2 Tottenham | |
| Thursday 6th November | |
| UEFA Cup | |
| Man City 3 - 2 FC Twente | |
| Sunday 2nd November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Bolton 2 - 0 Man City | |
| Wednesday 29th October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Middlesbrough 2 - 0 Man City | |
| Sunday 26th October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man City 3 - 0 Stoke | |
| Monday 20th October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Newcastle 2 - 2 Man City | |
| Sunday 5th October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man City 2 - 3 Liverpool | |
| Thursday 2nd October | |
| UEFA Cup | |
| Man City 2 - 1 Omonia Nicosia | |
| Sunday 28th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Wigan 2 - 1 Man City | |
| Wednesday 24th September | |
| Carling Cup | |
| Brighton 2 - 2 Man City | |
| Sunday 21st September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man City 6 - 0 Portsmouth | |
| Thursday 18th September | |
| UEFA Cup | |
| Omonia Nicosia 1 - 2 Man City | |
| Saturday 13th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man City 1 - 3 Chelsea | |
| Sunday 31st August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Sunderland 0 - 3 Man City | |
| Thursday 28th August | |
| UEFA Cup Qualifying | |
| FC Midtjylland 0 - 1 Man City | |
| Sunday 24th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man City 3 - 0 West Ham | |
| Sunday 17th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Aston Villa 4 - 2 Man City | |
| Thursday 14th August | |
| UEFA Cup Qualifying | |
| Man City 0 - 1 FC Midtjylland | |
| Saturday 9th August | |
| Friendly Match | |
| Man City 1 - 0 AC Milan | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Fulham | 12 | 17 |
| 11 | Sunderland | 13 | 15 |
| 12 | Manchester City | 13 | 14 |
| 13 | Bolton Wanderers | 13 | 14 |
| 14 | West Ham United | 13 | 14 |
Martin Tyler stats tell you what defeat meant for Arsenal, what Gareth Bale means to Spurs and more...
Ratings review returns to find that patience is wearing thin among many disgruntled supporters.
Manchester City's 0-0 draw with Groclin Dyskobolia in 2003. Can you name the mystery starting XI?
Matt Le Tissier, Charlie Nicholas, Paul Merson and Paul Walsh survey the action on another action-packed Soccer Saturday!
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has tipped Mark Hughes to turn Man City into a Premier League force.
Arsenal look to put behind them yet another testing week as they head to Eastlands to take on Man City.
Juventus coach Claudio Ranieri has rubbished rumours linking Gianluigi Buffon with a big-money move to Man City.
Chelsea and Liverpool could find their starting line-ups under more scrutiny than usual when they host Newcastle and Fulham.