Having saw Manchester United falter earlier in the day, the onus was on Manchester City to get a result at Wolverhampton Wanderers to keep the title race going. The home side won't go without a fight though, as anything less than a win for Wolves sends them down to the Championship. That said, it will be a hard ask for the hosts who've not won in their last eight home games.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Vs. Manchester City, Premier League, 2012: Lineups
Wolves boss Terry Connor handed a league debut to summer signing Dorus De Vries as regular goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey has been ruled out for the season. Connor also goes with five in midfield as the look to contain the visitors, but look for dangerous wingers Matt Jarvis and Michael Kightly to get forward and join Steven Fletcher at every opportunity.
Wolves were without long term injury victims Jody Craddock, Stephen Hunt and Jamie O'Hara for the game.
Meanwhile City boss Roberto Mancini selected a strong and attacking lineup, with Sergio Aguero floating in and around the now well liked Carlos Tevez in attack. Gareth Barry and Yaya Toure anchor the midfield allowing the two Argentines, along with Samir Nasri and David Silva to do the damage up front.
The Blues were once again without controversial striker Mario Balotelli, who sits this one out through suspension having been sent off against Arsenal a few weeks ago, while Micah Richards missed out entirely too.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Team (4-5-1): Dorus De Vries; Kevin Foley, Richard Stearman, Sebastian Bassong, Stephen Ward; David Davis, David Edwards, Karl Henry, Matt Jarvis, Michael Kightly; Steven Fletcher.
Substitutes: Carl Ikeme, Roger Johnson, Christophe Berra, Ronald Zubar, Nenad Milijas, Kevin Doyle, Sylvain Ebanks-Blake.
Manchester City Team (4-2-3-1): Joe Hart; Pablo Zabaleta, Vincent Kompany, Joleon Lescott, Gael Clichy; Yaya Toure, Gareth Barry; David Silva, Samir Nasri, Sergio Aguero; Carlos Tevez.
Substitutes: Costel Pantilimon, James Milner, Edin Dzeko, Adam Johnson, Nigel De Jong, Alexandar Kolarov, Kolo Toure.
The game kicks off at 4pm local time, and is shown live on Sky Sports 1, and in the USA you’ll find the game on Fox Soccer Channel at 11am ET.
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