Man City v Middlesbrough preview: Leaders look to build on impressive recent results
Saturday 5 November 2016 15:29, UK
Having beaten Barcelona, Manchester City will be keen to maintain their positive momentum in the Premier League against Middlesbrough on Saturday.
After Pep Guardiola endured his worst winless run of his managerial career, his City side came bursting back into form with a 4-0 victory against West Brom last Saturday, before stunning Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday with a 3-1 win.
Guardiola's men are top of the Premier League on goal difference ahead of Arsenal and Liverpool - all three teams are locked on 23 points.
Sergio Aguero netted twice at the Hawthorns to take his tally to 13 goals in all competitions this season and he is just one away from reaching 150 City goals.
Meanwhile, Middlesbrough ended a run of seven matches without a win against Bournemouth last weekend.
Team news
City are still without right-back Bacary Sagna and midfielder Fabian Delph. Sagna has missed the last six games with a hamstring injury, but could be available after the upcoming international break, while Delph is sidelined after a groin operation.
Claudio Bravo is expected to return in goal after being suspended for the midweek victory over Barca, however, it remains to be seen if midfielder Yaya Toure is recalled after his apology for comments by his agent.
Middlesbrough will be without in-form Gaston Ramirez. The Uruguay international, who scored a stunning goal in last week's 2-0 win over Bournemouth at the Riverside Stadium, is suspended.
Boro will be boosted by the return of top-scorer Cristhian Stuani and midfielder Marten de Roon, after the pair missed the win over the Cherries, but Dani Ayala remains a major doubt following a recurrence of his ankle injury.
Opta stats
After failing to win any of their opening 14 Premier League meetings with Middlesbrough (D5 L9), City have won four of their last six against them in the top flight (L2).
Indeed, Middlesbrough have won more Premier League games against City (11) than they have against any other side.
In May 2008, Middlesbrough beat City 8-1 in a Premier League game at the Riverside Stadium - it is Boro's biggest win and City's biggest defeat in the competition.
City have made 28 changes to their starting XI overall this season, more than any other side in the Premier League.
Middlesbrough have scored nine goals in their 10 Premier League games this season, while Aguero has scored eight goals in his last 10 Premier League appearances alone.
City have been leading for 466 minutes in the Premier League so far this season; more than any other team.
Merson's prediction
Middlesbrough have had a couple of great results against Arsenal and Bournemouth, but I just think City set the bar. If they're up for it and their heads are right then Middlesbrough shouldn't get anywhere near them at the Etihad.
It might be hard to raise yourself from playing Barcelona to Middlesbrough, but if you want to win the Premier League then that's what you've got to do. We saw it with Arsenal the other week who turned up thinking they were going to wipe the floor with them but in the end were a little lucky to get a goalless draw. But I'm still backing City for a comfortable win.
Paul predicts: 3-0 (11/2 with Sky Bet)
Betting
City are Sky Bet's shortest priced favourites of the weekend at just 2/9 to see off 12/1 outsiders Middlesbrough, who are 5/1 just to leave the Eithad with a point. City are currently 5/4 favourites to win the Premier League, while they were shortened to 10/1 for the Champions League after their midweek triumph over Barcelona.
Aguero heads the first goalscorer betting at just 11/4, while Ilkay Gundogan is 14/1 for a third successive brace. Alvaro Negredo is rated the visitors' most likely source of a goal at 100/30 to score anytime.
