Hart, Kompany, K Toure, Richards, Kolarov, Y Toure, De Jong, Milner, Silva, Dzeko, Balotelli
Subs: Pantilimon, Clichy, Pizarro, Barry, A Johnson, Tevez, Zabaleta
Sergio Aguero misses out due to a mystery foot injury which manager Roberto Mancini described as “stupid” and has had City fans speculating as the Italian refused to go into detail.
Mario Balotelli continues up front despite Mancini admitting that he didn’t trust the eccentric striker who recently gatecrashed an Inter Milan press conference unveiling Balotelli’s former youth team coach, Andrea Stramaccioni, as the manager and former Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri’s replacement.
Vincent Kompany has returned to the side following a calf injury and Micah Richards resumed his place on the right side of the defence with Pablo Zabaleta dropping to the bench.
Samir Nasri was left out of the match day squad due to injury and was replaced in the team by James Milner and Nigel De Jong was employed in midfield while Gareth Barry was selected on the bench.