It’s an early-season top of the table clash at the Reebok this Sunday as Bolton entertain big-spending Man City. Owen Coyle’s side got their campaign off to the perfect start with last week’s 4-0 win at QPR, but are up against it for the next few weeks- facing five of last term’s top six in their next six matches.
The “Sergio Aguero Show” gave Roberto Mancini plenty to smile about on Monday evening and Man City will go into the game against the Trotters in confident mood- they won the corresponding fixture 2-0 on the final day of last season.
Likely Line-Ups
New signings Nigel Reo-Coker and Chris Eagles went straight into the Bolton midfield at Loftus Road and are likely to keep their places after impressive debut showings. Ivan Klasnic is certain to partner Kevin Davies up front after a man of the match performance last week.
Roberto Mancini has a dilemma on his hands. The introduction of Sergio Aguero to the side saw City change from their usual 4-2-3-1 to a 4-4-2, with the Argentine joining Edin Dzeko up front to thrilling effect. Surely, after his sublime debut, Aguero will start at the Reebok. Will Mancini abandon his typically defensive set-up or will he opt for one up top with Dzeko dropping out?
Wing Wizards
While Aguero and Klasnic stole the show in their respective matches, both clubs’ wide men were impressive. Whereas Silva and Johnson swap wings, with Johnson pushing high and Silva dropping deep with license to roam, Bolton have a standard 4-4-2 with Chris Eagles on the right and Martin Petrov wide left. Bolton used the wings as much as possible against QPR- 43% of their play came down the right and 34% from the left, with just 23% through the middle.
Silva’s superb display against Swansea saw him take 3 shots, scoring 1 goal and hitting the woodwork, while Johnson also managed 1 attempt on goal. The little Spaniard made 4 key passes for City, though Johnson was the game’s chief creator, with 5. Johnson also bettered Silva for successful dribbles (3 to 2) and made more crosses (5 to 2), with his tendency to take up wide positions the key factor here. Silva’s greater goal threat saw him pick up a WhoScored.com rating of 8.53 to Johnson’s 7.8.
Martin Petrov was unlucky not to be involved in any Bolton goals at the weekend. He had 3 shots and made 4 key passes, with Chris Eagles making 1 key pass and failing to register a shot at goal. Eagles led the way in successful dribbles (3 to 0), though Petrov again impressed with his delivery out wide, having 4 crosses to Eagles’ 1. Eagles picked up an assist, though, and as a result edged it in WhoScored.com’s ratings- he was awarded 7.42, with Petrov on 7.3.
Key Battles
A look at Man City’s shooting in the Swansea game shows that 71% of their 24 goal attempts came through the middle. Despite failing to score, Yaya Toure was their most impressive goal threat- he had an incredible 9 shots but was denied 4 times due to the heroics of Michael Vorm in the visitor’s goal. Toure’s link-up play with Silva and Aguero already looks impressive and the trio’s understanding will develop to devastating effect over time.
Aguero’s central starting role seems likely, given his impact against Swansea. His thirty-minute appearance brought 4 shots, 2 key passes, 2 goals and 1 assist in a devastating attacking display. He was dispossessed 3 times, though, but nevertheless picked up a man of the match rating of 9.3.
A role up front would see him go head to head with Gary Cahill. Both players are looking on top form ahead of the showdown- Cahill made 2 tackles, 5 interceptions and 12 clearances against QPR, easily the most impressive of Bolton’s back-four. Cahill’s dominance in the air saw him win 7 aerial duels and with a stunning 20-yard goal, he picked up a WhoScored.com rating of 9.17.
The second key battle will be at the other end of the pitch. Service from the wings means Kevin Davies is the focal point of Bolton’s play- he had 72 touches against QPR, second only to Gary Cahill. The centre forward also made 52 passes, easily the most of any Bolton player and although he had just 1 shot, Davies made 6 key passes, grabbing an assist. He won 100% of aerial duels and picked up a WhoScored.com rating of 7.83.
Although Vincent Kompany was -far and away- the most impressive of Man City’s centre halves on Monday night, Davies plays on the right of Bolton’s front two, meaning he is likely to be directly lined-up up against Joleon Lescott. Lescott was the least impressive City defender against Swansea- he made 1 tackle, 1 interception and 1 clearance- Kompany made 5 interceptions and 6 clearances in comparison.
The ex-Everton man did, however, win 100% of his aerial duels and will have to be at his very best to defy Davies. With Ivan Klasnic in top form and buzzing around his strike-partner’s knockdowns, Lescott will be key to nullifying Bolton’s main attacking threat- if he stops Davies, City should grab a hold on the game.
