Manchester City Preview: Billionaires and Brazilians come to town

Last updated : 26 September 2008 By Michael Goodman

... to make City the greatest club in the world.

An estimated value of £500 billion is shocking and this huge amount of money could turn City into a dominant force, not just in the Premier League, but across the world.

Big name signing Robinho took the headlines on transfer deadline day in a British record move of £32m.

The quick footed Brazilian made an instant impact on his debut, scoring a free kick against Chelsea, the club who was expected to sign him from Real Madrid.

Robinho then scored in the 6-0 drubbing of Portsmouth last weekend and was impressive throughout. Mark Hughes will have his team fired up on Sunday for the North West derby but face a Wigan side hot from scoring 4 against Ipswich.

Lee Cattermole, Olivier Kapo, Paul Scharner and Henri Camara all got themselves on the score sheet and this will give the squad confidence going into one of the clubs biggest games of the season so far.

Steve Bruce will want to give his former Manchester United team mate a very tough game and the last time Mark Hughes was at the JJB Stadium, there was a goal fest in a 5-3 victory for Wigan when Hughes was at old club Blackburn Rovers.

Team News

Bruce may alter one or two things on Sundays game with Mario Melchiot and Maynor Figueroa being rested against Ipswich.

Amr Zaki, Emile Heskey and Wilson Palacios were taken off on Wednesday when the result was safe and will all have a strong chance of starting.

Michael Brown could return to the Wigan bench after missing the Tottenham and Ipswich games due to his wife giving birth. Ryan Taylor is fit once again and Erik Edman is getting fitter but is not expected back until October.

Predicted Line Up

Kirkland

Melchiot Boyce Bramble Figueroa

Valencia Scharner Palacios Kapo

Zaki Heskey

Key Players For Manchester City

Joe Hart - The young 'keeper has impressed since his move from Shrewsbury and has forced his way from the England U21s squad to the Senior Side. Controls his area well and is a good shot stopper.

Richard Dunne - The club captain is a key member of the City back four and was voted fans player of the year last season. The experienced Irish international is strong and reads the game well.

Shaun Wright-Phillips - Re-signed from Chelsea in the summer and already has bagged 3 goals since his £8m move. Looks to have found his form that persuaded Chelsea to spend big on him and has great pace and acceleration.

Robinho - The Brazilian can produce something out of nothing and will be amazing fans across the country wherever he plays. He's quick, a good finisher and has a trick or two up his sleeve. Will be a constant threat.

Prediction

The Sky cameras are in town on Sunday and should be in for an entertaining game. City will want to bounce back from their shock defeat on Wednesday but Wigan could sneak a win to record their first home league win of the season.

WAFC 2-1 MCFC