Sunday sees City play host to Harry Redknapp's FA Cup winning Portsmouth side. Ex-City skipper Sylvain Distin and goalkeeper David James return to a new look City full of exciting talent, confidence and cash; far different from the Manchester City they both left behind and I doubt they'll be looking forward to facing the Blues' new stike force.
"They will be very strong. I saw what team they put out in Cyprus and they have bags of ability," said Redknapp when asked about Mark Hughes's men. "Last year, Elano, the Brazilian, was the big arrival and now suddenly you've also got two more - you've got Robinho, you've got Jo, full of flair, and also Shaun Wright-Phillips. But we're in good form, three wins in a row now, and although it will be a tough game we'll have a go at them and be as positive and attacking as we can."
The stats show that it will be tough ask for Portsmouth as they have not left Manchester City with maximum points from a top-flight clash in 54 years.
City midfielders Michael Johnson and Martin Petrov remain sidelined through injury, while Portsmouth may rest wingers Armand Traore and John Utaka, with Younes Kaboul and Papa Bouba Diop returning to the fold. Ben Sahar has a knee injury, while Niko Kranjcar (ankle) and Jerome Thomas (back) are still out, so fit-again Glen Little may make the starting line-up for the south-coast side.
If City wish to break the top four, they must beat teams such as Portsmouth, especially at home. Due to the time and day of this match, it may be difficult for most of you to make it out for this one, but for those of you that can, MCFC Dubai will be meeting in the Players' Lounge from 6pm onwards.
See you there
Mark
Chairmans View: Don't have David James in your Premier League Fantasy team this week!
All of us at MCFC Dubai would like to welcome our latest recruits: Rod and Madeline Karnochan. Rod and his daughter Madeline are due to arrive in Dubai in the next fortnight and are mad City fans from Urmston, Manchester. We look forward to welcoming them in true MCFC Dubai style at the Players' Lounge over the next few weeks.
