Top Sports Picks for October 1, 2011

Manchester City at Blackburn

Manchester City, who sits second in the EPL with 16 points, boasts a 5-0-1 record. City, who is 2-1-2 in the last five games (1-0-1 in their last two EPL matches), is coming off a 2-0 defeat to Bayern Munich in a UEFFA Champions League match. The Blues lead the EPL with 19 goals including 10 away goals in only three matches.

Man City, who is led by forward Sergio Aguero with 8 goals and 2 assists, will be without the suspended Carlos Teverez. Second-leading scorer Edin Dzeko, who has six goals, may start on the bench after having his own flare-up with coach Robert Mancini as well midfielders Owen Hargreaves and Nigel DeJong who aren't quite fit after suffering injuries. Goal keeper Joe Hart, who is expected to make his 47^th start for the Blues since he returned to the team, will direct a defense that has surrendered just five goals in EPL play. However, five goals that Man City has surrendered have come at away matches.

Blackburn, who has four points (1-4-1), started the season off horribly suffering three defeats and picking up a draw in their first four games. The Rovers, who are coming off a 3-1 loss to Newcastle, are 1-0-2 at home with a -1 goal differential. Blackburn, who is led by forward Yakubu Aiyegbeni with two goals, will welcome the return of defenders Gael Givet and Scott Dann. Givet, who was impressive versus Arsenal, will move from centerback to rightback. Michael Salgado and Martin Olson, who picked up two yellow cards against Newcastle, are unavailable.

Prediction: Man City 2-1. The Blues, who have lots of firepower with Aguero, David Silva and Samir Nasri, should have their way with the Rovers. The only thing that could prevent Man City from ending the day with a clean sheet is their propensity to give up silly goals.