City’s recent victory over Salzburg means that they have now qualified for the knockout stage in the Europa League, which gives manager Roberto Mancini some breathing space in being able to concentrate on the task at hand in the Premier League.
The club’s aim is to finish in the top four and achieve Champions League football next season, but the current form compared with that of their immediate rivals, Tottenham, would be that the Sky Blues are unlikely to finish above the London-based club.
But Mancini’s men have shown that they can play some fine football when the occasion calls for it, with proof in the form of the 4-1 victory over Fulham. But the former Inter boss must ensure that his side can produce such performances over and over again, if they should achieve their season objectives.
City have done well to go on an unbeaten run of five league games without a loss, but three draws in the last four aren’t really the kind of results that a team pushing for a top four finish would want to achieve.
Finally, the hosts are in a bit of a spot when it comes to winning at home, since their last victory in the league at the City of Manchester Stadium was two months ago against Newcastle United.
In Top Form
Bolton were sizzling hot through the month of November as they managed to go undefeated, and look to continue their run at Eastlands.
The Trotters are currently in sixth place, only three points behind their Manchester-based opponents. And much of the achievement to date has to be credited to their manager, Owen Coyle.
The gaffer left Burnley to take charge at the Reebok in January, with a section of the critics claiming that he had made a move in the sideways direction in terms of the direction in which his career was headed.
However, Coyle has since answered his naysayers over and over again, as he has turned a team that was fighting for dear life in the top flight last season into one that is challenging for a Europa League spot this term.
But if they are to turn that dream into a reality, then the recent form they have shown must continue, with Eastlands being added as another feather in the manager’s cap.
Still, even a top 10 finish - which would likely be the present target - would prove to be a very positive season for the visitors, but any more, and that’s a bonus.
TEAM NEWS
Manchester City
Young striker Mario Balotelli is a doubt after falling prey to a hamstring injury during the recent Europa League victory over Salzburg. Emmanuel Adebayor (groin) and Wayne Bridge (hamstring) are also doubtful of making it in time for this encounter. Michael Johnson (knee) is a long-term absentee.
Gareth Barry, Nigel de Jong and Yaya Toure should return to the line-up, having not played any part in the 3-0 win in the last match. They should come in at the expense of Adam Johnson, Patrick Vieira and Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Possible starting XI: Hart; Richards, K Toure, Kompany, Kolarov; Y Toure, De Jong, Barry; Silva, Tevez, Balotelli.
Bolton Wanderers
Sean Davis (knee), Ricardo Gardner (thigh), Joey O’Brien (knee), and Jlloyd Samuel (calf) all remain out of action due to their respective injuries, but manager Owen Coyle has no new worries since last week’s draw with Blackpool.
Possible starting XI: Jaaskelainen; Ricketts, Cahill, Knight, Robinson; Lee, Muamba, M Davies, Taylor; K Davies, Elmander.
Prediction
Bolton have scored 15 goals in their last five games. And with City having not won a league game in the past two months at Eastlands, both sides would be expected to play good, positive, attacking football.
City possess the star power and the financial muscle, but Bolton have form on their side. So a good high scoring draw could be on the cards.
City possess the star power and the financial muscle, but Bolton have form on their side. So a good high scoring draw could be on the cards.
Man City 2-2 Bolton 
