Match Preview: Manchester City v Sheffield United

Last updated : 12 October 2006 By @blades_mad1889

Manchester City v Sheffield United
Manchester City secured a point in their last game away at Everton with a 1-1 draw, Micah Richards scoring in the 90th minute to rule out Andy Johnson's effort - ironically the Blades face the Toffees in Liverpool next Saturday.

Manger Stuart Pearce could quite possibly change the side that drew with Everton at Goodision Park nearly two weeks ago, however they will have to contend with a long injury list that is only equalled by Tottenham Hotspur.

The Eastlands club have no more than eight casualties with the major losses of American international striker DaMarcus Beasley (ankle) and Darius Vassell (knee).

Swedish keeper Andreas Isaksson (Knee), Shaleum Logan (broken leg), Ousmane Dabo (knee), Nedum Onuoha (calf), Sun Jihai (hamstring) and Hatem Trabelski (groin) are all missing for the Blue Moon side.

Meanwhile defender Ben Thatcher is sustaining a five match suspension following his challenge on Pablo Mendes (Portsmouth) whilst former Blades target Danny Mills is currently on loan at Championship outfit Hull City.

Possible City Line-Up: Nicky Weaver, Richard Dunne, Micah Richards, Sylvain Distin, Joey Barton, Dietmar Hamann, Trevor Sinclair, Stephen Jordon, Simon Ireland, Georgios Samaras, Ishmael Miller.

The Blades fought back against a reluctant Middlesbrough in their last game to win 2-1. Rob Hulse had give United a first half lead by Yakubu struck back early in the second after beating the offside trap. And, in the 90th minute Phil Jagielka hit a sweet 30 yard half volley to win the game.

Sheffield United, the visitors to the City of Manchester Stadium which opened its doors to football in 2003 after a very successful Commonwealth Games will be it's first game for the Blades at the ground since they left there Maine Road home.

United will be without Midfielder Nick Montgomery who needed surgery on a problem ankle, he will not play a part against City but could return to training soon.

A major doubt for the Cutlers is keeper Paddy Kenny, the former Bury shot stopper returned from international duty with the Republic of Ireland with a slight hamstring strain - allowing Ian Bennett to take over keeping responsibilities.

The visitors are expected to field former City star David Sommeil - the Frenchman was snapped up from Bordeaux in January 2003 for £3,500,000. He made his debut in a 4-1 home win over Fulham and played his last in May 2006 in a 2-0 defeat at Blackburn Rovers.

Sommeil was released by the Blues in July 2006 after making 54 appearances (+ 4 as sub) and scoring four goals. He joined Sheffield United this summer on a free transfer.

Possible Blades Line-Up: Ian Bennett, Leigh Bromby, Phil Jagielka, Claude Davis, Chris Armstrong, Mikele Leigertwood, Paul Ifill, Michael Tonge, Alan Quinn, Colin Kazim-Richards, Rob Hulse.

Man in the Middle: Mike L. Dean (Wirral) - Match official for the game at Manchester City will be Mike Dean who officiated the 0-0 draw with Blackburn Rovers at Bramall Lane in September.

  • 09.10.1999 - Crewe Alexandra 1-0 Sheffield United
  • 08.01.2003 - Sheffield United 2-1 Liverpool (LC SF 1/2)
  • 28.09.2004 - Sheffield United 1-0 Sunderland
  • 26.12.2004 - Coventry City 1-2 Sheffield United
  • 01.11.2005 - Sheffield United 4-0 Luton Town
  • 09.09.2006 - Sheffield United 0-0 Blackburn Rovers

Blades-Mad Prediction: Manchester City 0-0 Sheffield United