Premier League preview: Man City v Blackpool

Manchester City will look to keep the pressure on league leaders Manchester United when they play host to Blackpool at Eastlands on Saturday.

With the saga of captain Carlos Tevez’s transfer request seemingly behind them, Roberto Mancini’s men put in a compelling display in their 4-0 mauling of Aston Villa on Tuesday.

With Tevez rested for the clash, it was left to another unsettled striker, Italian Mario Bolotelli, to lead the way with a hat-trick.

City sit on 38 points in the Premier League standings, equal with arch rivals United who occupy top spot by account of goal difference and also have two games in hand.

But United, who have won only once away from home in the Premier League this season, face a tricky test at West Brom on Saturday, while City will be eyeing a victory that could secure outright first place.

But that will not come easy given they face a Blackpool side that have been a revelation this season, with a bold, attacking style of play winning over many neutrals.

Ian Holloway’s side rode their luck against a dominant and in-form Sunderland outfit on Tuesday to escape from the Stadium of Light with a 2-0 win that could have easily gone the other way.

That upset lifted them to 25 points, just 15 short of the 40 Holloway predicted would see them survive in the top flight.

Blackpool are unbeaten in their last five games but with one of the thinnest squads in the Premier League, the busy holiday fixture schedule will no doubt test their reserves.

First-choice goalkeeper Matthew Gilks and striker Marlon Harewood remain unavailable with injury, but Holloway will welcome back influential midfielder Charlie Adam, who sat out the Sunderland game through suspension.

Mancini, meanwhile, has the luxury of almost a full squad to choose from, with Emmanuel Adebayor (groin) the only senior member certain to miss the clash.