The Citizens versus Rangers

Transfer deadline day's frenzy of activity means it's easy to forget that there is a football match to win on Saturday and an important one...

Roberto Mancini:
'I think we should have a very good memory from last season but tomorrow will be the same, we have a very difficult game...QPR have bought more players, I think they are better this year. Also, we are at the start of the season when every game is difficult. But it is important for us we work well because we want to stay on the top for a long time. We want to stay there for 10 years, 15 years."


Mark Hughes:
'I congratulate City on winning the title last season. It would be good to think we owe them one. They have an outstanding team, but let`s have a go.'

OUT:
Micah Richards (ankle - 15 Sep)
Gareth Barry (hernia operation - 15 Sep)
Sergio Aguero (knee - 23 Sep)
John Guidetti (thigh - Oct)

For my money Joe hasn't been firing this summer and I include Euro 2012 in that equation. He's way too smart a guy to buy into the 'he's arrived' press he has enjoyed throughout last season, but something isn't quite right and the sensational saves have dried up. Any game now he's going to put in a top drawer shift.

OUT:
Samba Diakite (compassionate leave)

Should he make his debut, QPR's capture from Real Madrid will need shackling. The attacking midfielder is capable of making his mark if he hits the ground running.

STATS AND FACTS
Head To Head:
League 16 City Wins, 14 Draws, 12 QPR Wins,
League Cup 4 City Wins, 1 Draw
FA Cup 1 City Win
Total: 21 City Wins, 15 Draws, 12 QPR Wins

Last Time Around:
Su 13May 2012 Man City 3 - 2 QPR Prem
Sa 05Nov 2011 QPR 2 - 3 Man City Prem
Tu 28Oct 2003 QPR 0 - 3 Man City League Cup
We 08Mar 2000 Man City 1 - 3 QPR Div One
Sa 06Nov 1999 QPR 1 - 1 Man City Div One

[89/90] QPR v Manchester City, Apr 11th 1990


Last season's clashes were notable for QPR leading and City battling back to win both games 3-2.

The Blues are unbeaten in 30 Premier League games at the Etihad Stadium including only 2 draws. That's City's longest unbeaten home run in league football since the 41 game run between 1919 and 1921.

City have hit 26 goals in the last 9 games in all competitions.

QPR have not won away in 14 league fixtures. Only 3 were draws. They haven't kept a clean sheet in 17 away games.

Betting:
City 1/6 QPR 10/1 Draw 5/1

TV Coverage: ESPN at the controls.

Chris Foy of Merseyside 2011-2012 Record Across All Competitions: 35 Games, 86 Yellows, 8 Reds Last Season: Sa 19Nov 2011 Man City 3 - 1 Newcastle Prem Su 08Jan 2012 Man City 2 - 3 Man Utd FA Cup Sa 14Apr 2012 Norwich 1 - 6 Man City Prem

Johnny On The Spot: Both clubs have considerably strengthened their squads, QPR to a tremendous extent and it's this factor above all else that I believe will tell at The Etihad...City have a fused, gelled squad of Champions who know each other's play inside out. They have also come in for some media stick due to ropey defensive performances in their opening two games. I'm expecting Mancio to shore the defence up with a 4-4-1-1 and call upon the 3-5-2 only if QPR park the bus. City will have more than enough to get this job done emphatically. CITY 4, QPR 0

all times East Manchester

TOMORROW 17h30 QPR, The Etihad, PL
Sa 15 Sep 15h00 Stoke, The Britannia Stadium, PL
Tu 18 Sep 19h45 Real Madrid, The Bernabeu, CL
Su 23 Sep 16h00 Arsenal, The Etihad, PL
TBC Aston Villa, The Etihad, LC3
Sa 29 Sep 15h00 Fulham, Craven Cottage, PL
We 03 Oct 19h45 Borussia Dortmund, The Etihad, PL
Sa 06 Oct 12h45 Sunderland, The Etihad, PL
Sa 20 Oct 15h00 West Brom, The Hawthorns, PL
We 24 Oct 19h45 Ajax, Amsterdam Arena, CL
Sa 27 Oct 17h30 Swansea City, The Etihad, PL

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