Looking ahead is normal at this time of year, and Roberto Mancini is no different. But when he nominates 28 April as the date that will settle the title, eyebrows are raised.
As Ian Herbert writes in the Independent: "The City manager appeared to rule Tottenham, Chelsea and Arsenal out of title contention by identifying his club's return Premier League match against Manchester United as the fixture to decide which side are crowned champions."
Herbs quotes the boss speculating "If we are strong enough, I think it will be decided with the game at home, probably".
He adds that "Mancini is resigned to losing top spot on Saturday – United face Blackburn and his own side do not play for another 24 hours.
"The Etihad Stadium derby is the third game from the end of the Premier League season – Newcastle away and QPR at home following for City; United have Swansea at home and Sunderland away."
There are more pressing matters, of course. Sportinglife.com says Roberto "is ready to test the depth of his squad as they begin their tough January schedule with two games in three days.
Mancini's title hopefuls travel to Sunderland on New Year's Day before hosting Liverpool on 3 January
"Mancini said: 'It is impossible to play in two days with the same players, this is sure. January will be a key month. We will have important games - FA Cup, Carling Cup, four in the Barclays Premier League. I think this month will be very important.'"
Andy Cole declares in his National column that the trophy will sport red ribbons rather than blue at the season's end, which might seem predictable but is at least well argued.
Cole played for both clubs, of course - his son Devante is a City striker - so websites such as soccerway.com have pounced on the story (who'd have thought?).
They report his reasoning: "City have been outstanding at times, they may even boast better individuals and they've certainly spent more money, but United have a better team spirit and, crucially, experience.
"Joe Hart said that City are suffering from the pressure after their Boxing Day draw at West Brom. He's right.
"City are now the team to beat and sides will do anything to take points off them, even if they play so defensively that they only intend to get a draw.
"Moving clear of the pack after beating the champions 6-1 away will have given them huge confidence, but maybe that game came too early in the season to be crucial."
Perhaps that's why Roberto wants to tie it all up at the end of April then ...
Mancini: Manchester derby will decide title
The Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini appeared to rule Tottenham, Chelsea and Arsenal out of title contention by identifying his club's return Premier League match against Manchester United on 28 April as the fixture to decide which side are crowned champions.
"If we are strong enough, I think it will be decided with the game at home, probably," said Mancini, who is resigned to losing top spot on Saturday – United face Blackburn and his own side do not play for another 24 hours. The Etihad Stadium derby is the third game from the end of the Premier League season – Newcastle away and QPR at home following for City; United have Swansea at home and Sunderland away.
City will have Micah Richards and Aleksandar Kolarov back from injury in time for their New Year's Day trip to Sunderland, which kicks off a run of 11 games in 35 days. Richards suffered a calf strain in the win over Stoke, and Kolarov has been out for over a month with a groin problem. Owen Hargreaves is also understood to be ready to come into consideration for Mancini, with Yaya Touré's departure for the African Cup of Nations only 10 days away.
Milan striker Alexandre Pato may be bargaining chip in Carlos Tevez deal
Milan striker Alexandre Pato has hinted at a rift with manager Massimiliano Allegri that could see the Brazilian swap clubs with City rebel Carlos Tevez next month.
Milan head the queue to take Tevez off City’s hands and opened discussions during a two-hour meeting in London last week.
But the Blues are beginning to doubt whether the Italian giants have the financial clout to come anywhere close to their £25m asking price, while refusing to entertain the
possibility of a loan deal.
Juventus and Corinthians are still reported to be monitoring Tevez’s situation, but Paris Saint-Germain’s interest is thought to have cooled.
Pato, meanwhile, has thrown his future into doubt by having a dig at Allegri, opening up the possibility that the 22-year-old could be used as a makeweight to help Milan meet City’s valuation.
In the summer, Roberto Mancini insisted he needed four strikers to mount challenges at home and abroad.
Tevez’s unauthorised trip to Argentina has left him with three – Mario Balotelli, Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko – and Pato, who has fallen behind Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robinho in the pecking order at the San Siro, would bolster his attacking options as City challenge on four fronts in the second half of the season.
“I would like to have a more direct relationship with Allegri,” said Pato. “If he thinks it is right to criticise me, then I have to keep my head down and work. I have to respect what the coach says.
“But the fact remains that if he has seen something wrong with my game then he should come to me directly so we can discuss it.”
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[/spoiler] SUPER BOLLOX
Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish has urged Stephen Ireland to create headlines on the pitch following the appearance of a controversial photo on Twitter.
The picture was posted on the account of Ireland's girlfriend, Jessica Lawlor, on 22 December.
It shows Ireland wearing silver snakeskin trousers, with a smoking pipe in one hand and a drink in the other.
McLeish said: "You don't want to be bringing attention to yourself. It is not something I want to be discussing."
He added: "Was it a shisha pipe or something? I don't know what is in that stuff. For all I know he could have been blowing bubbles into it or something.
"It is not my world, the way the players live nowadays, with the tweeting and posting pictures of themselves and that.
"Any opinion I have on that will be delivered to Stephen rather than discussing it in the newspapers."
Ireland joined Villa from Manchester City 18 months ago but is yet to cement a first-team place at the club.
McLeish said: "He has been training well and played really well in the first half of the Arsenal game [on 21 December].
"He's got to take that kind of attitude into other games. We know what he can do when he has got the ball. We know he has a got a decent touch.
"But he showed the other attributes in the Arsenal game with his closing down and harrying of people. He has to do more of that.
"We know that he has not really done himself total justice in a Villa shirt. There is still a chance for him, there is still a chance for everybody.
"There will be opportunities over the next two or three games for him to show us what he is really capable of."
OTHER BOLLOX
Former England captain David Beckham could land a contract worth £12.5m by following Carlo Ancelotti to Paris St Germain. the Sun
Chelsea could break the British transfer record in their bid to sign Porto striker Hulk. The Brazil forward has an £84m buyout clause with the Portuguese champions.Times
Spanish giants Barcelona look set to offer £25m for Tottenham winger Gareth Bale in the January transfer window. Daily Mirror
Meanwhile, Croatia international playmaker Luka Modric says he is almost 100% certain he will remain with Spurs until the end of the season. Evening Standard
Spurs are also monitoring developments with Freiburg striker Papiss Cisse. The 26-year-old Senegal striker was wanted by Sunderland and Newcastle in the summer but both clubs fell short of the German club's £14m asking price. Daily Mail
Liverpool target and Cliftonville striker Rory Donnelly is believed to have chosen to snub Anfield in favour of a move to Swansea. talkShiT
West Brom manager Roy Hodgson could be set to swoop for Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic. Express & Star
QPR have made a £7m bid for Rangers 26-year-old striker Nikica Jelavic. Daily Mail
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce says it will take a "mega bucks" offer from Newcastle to prise England Under-21 defender James Tomkins away from Upton Park. the Sun
Shamrock defender Enda Stevens will officially link up with Aston Villa next week and activate the three-year contract he agreed with the club in the summer. Daily Express
Manchester United face losing out to AC Milan in the battle to land Fiorentina midfielder Riccardo Montolivo. talkShiT
Blackburn midfielder Mauro Formica is believed to want out of Ewood Park to return to Argentina. Daily Mirror
Stoke manager Tony Pulis is inviting bids for six players in the January transfer window. Daily Mail
Swansea and Aston Villa are believed to be among the frontrunners to land Chelsea midfielder Josh McEachran on loan in January. Footybunker
Chelsea captain John Terry says he expects to end his career at Stamford Bridge - but has hinted he may go elsewhere to fulfil his managerial ambitions. Evening Standard
Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen insists the club can lose defender Gary Cahill in January and still fight their way to Premier League survival. Bolton News
Schalke fans look set to boycott their Europa League clash with Czech side Viktoria Plzen on 16 February over ticket prices. Visiting fans are being asked to pay 110 euros (£92) for a lowest category seat which would usually cost just 40 euros (£34). Bild
Defender Alan Hutton has appealed for patience from Aston Villa fans as he strives to kickstart his career at the club. Birmingham Mail
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew insists the pursuit of a new striker during the January transfer window would be "reckless". Newcastle Chronicle
However, the Magpies are believed to be running the rule over non-league hitman Jason Prior, who plays for Isthmian League Division One South side Bognor Regis. Daily Mail
Manchester United fear key defender Chris Smalling could be out for three months with glandular fever. Daily Mail
Former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has made a further substantial donation to the Hillsborough Family Support Group (HFSG). Liverpool Echo
Three-time winner of Fifa's Player of the Year Ronaldo joined Brazil's current hotshot Neymar in a charity match organised by former national team captain Zico. Metro
BINGO BOLLOX
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