Blackburn v Man City

The team without any league win in nine attempts against the side without an away triumph in 2011. Both teams frequently lack goals, and have strikers missing or doubtful. Everything points to a draw, and a low scoring one at that. The 0-0 scoreline at 10/1 with StanJames seems too good to resist, so we won’t!

Blackburn have been getting ever deeper embroiled in the relegation dogfight with every passing week. The only player who has been scoring for Rovers in recent weeks, Junior Hoilett, may still be absent with a hamstring injury. Fellow striker Roque Santa Cruz is ineligible against his parent club. For Man City, Carlos Tevez will always be a significant loss. Mancini’s side will have gained confidence from last week’s Cup triumph over rivals United, but will they really find the same levels of motivation at Ewood Park?

The Eastlands side have been accused of too much negativity on many occasions this season, most especially on their travels. Tottenham dropped two vital points against West Brom in the race for fourth spot making City strong favourites for that position; this could well make Mancini even more likely to play for a draw away from home. With this mindset, and a host of attacking players probably unavailable on both sides, the goalless draw at 10/1 is highly enticing.