It is a good appointment for the club, as despite his struggles at Manchester United, Moyes has a wealth of Premier League experience.
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Guardiola disappointed City by joining Bayern Munich in 2013, but the suspense finally came to an end last February when it was announced that he would succeed Manuel Pellegrini on a three-year contract.
City have been bolder than they have been in any of the last four summer windows.
Stones is another technically gifted player.
Leroy Sane will miss the game with injury, and is expected to be back training with the squad next week. One of the most intriguing signings is wide forward Nolito – he had an excellent campaign for Celta Vigo, and could prove an inspired acquisition. “I want my players to play their football with pleasure inside”.
Guardiola expressed his fondness for attacking down the flanks, and acknowledged the performance by his two wingers, Raheem Sterling and Jesus Navas who set up Aguero and Iheanacho’s goals.
At City: Can Guardiola adapt to the grueling, competitive nature of the Premier League where nearly every win is hard-fought? No-one is suggesting Manchester City will dominate to that extent, but it flies in the face of the theory that states the Catalan can’t get his ideas across quickly. Now both clubs are settling into life under a new manager. Having masterminded an act of relegation escapology, Sam Allardyce will now try to pull off the greatest trick of all, as he attempts to get the England team to fulfil its potential.
“When you are later (arriving) there’s a whole new thing, but I think I am getting most of it”.
This is rarely an issue at clubs with long-serving managers, but those instances are becoming rare, with the Premier League now dominated by recent arrivals rushing to mould teams in their own image.
Sunderland are hopeful that Jan Kirchhoff and Jermain Defoe recover from knocks. Eddie Howe’s men are unafraid of taking the game to the opposition so this could be an open contest and with Bournemouth’s defence inexperienced at this level despite a decent first season in the top flight, United should profit.
City are heavy favourites to win the match at [1.26]. His consistency at creating chances has been the most impressive aspect of the 24-year old’s game and that was evident in the fact that he failed to create a single chance in just one of the 35 games he featured in the last season.
The fixture computer has dealt David Moyes and his threadbare squad a tough assignment on the opening day, with a teatime kick-off away at Manchester City. I’d be happy to back them -1.5 on the Asian Handicap at [1.73].
“I want to transfer my passion to my players”, Conte said on joining Chelsea.
If you’re thinking of backing Sergio Aguero to score at [1.83], the Opta stats will give you plenty of encouragement.
City have scored three or more goals in each of their last five home wins against Sunderland.
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German global Ter Stegen will miss Barca’s first leg Spanish Super Cup clash at Sevilla on Sunday with a knee injury, but is expected to return shortly and could be interested in a move to the Etihad Stadium in a bid to play more first-team football.
