This is only the second match of the season yet there is the potential double reward of a title rival being defeated plus crucial momentum achieved. As the deal for Mario Balotelli was not done in time for the forward to be available for Liverpool, Manchester City must surely fancy their chances of finishing Monday evening with all three points, especially as only Alvaro Negredo and Eliaquim Mangala are unavailable to Manuel Pellegrini. Jamie Jackson
Kick-off Monday 8pm
Venue Etihad Stadium
Last season Man City 2 Liverpool 1
Live Sky Sports 1
Referee Michael Oliver
This season G1, Y2, R0, 2.0 cards per game
Odds H 13-15 A 3-1 D 3-1
Manchester City v Liverpool:
probable starters in bold, contenders in light
Manchester City
Subs from Caballero, Wright, Nastasic, Richards, Boyata, Fernando, Milner, Guidetti, Sinclair, Sagna, Lampard, Navas, Agüero, Clichy
Doubtful None
Injured Negredo (foot, 21 Sep), Mangala (match fitness, unknown)
Suspended None
Form W
Discipline Y5 R0
Leading scorers Agüero, Silva 1
Liverpool
Subs from Jones, Johnson, Touré, José Enrique, Markovic, Lambert, Coates, Sakho, Lucas, Can, Suso, Ibe
Doubtful None
Injured Lallana (knee, 1 Sep), Flanagan (knee, 1 Sep), Agger (knee, unknown), Borini (shoulder, unknown)
Suspended None
Form W
Discipline Y1 R0
Leading scorers Sterling, Sturridge 1
The Guardian, Friday 22 August 2014 17.14 BST
Manchester City
Subs from Caballero, Wright, Nastasic, Richards, Boyata, Fernando, Milner, Guidetti, Sinclair, Sagna, Lampard, Navas, Agüero, Clichy
Doubtful None
Injured Negredo (foot, 21 Sep), Mangala (match fitness, unknown)
Suspended None
Form W
Discipline Y5 R0
Leading scorers Agüero, Silva 1
Liverpool
Subs from Jones, Johnson, Touré, José Enrique, Markovic, Lambert, Coates, Sakho, Lucas, Can, Suso, Ibe
Doubtful None
Injured Lallana (knee, 1 Sep), Flanagan (knee, 1 Sep), Agger (knee, unknown), Borini (shoulder, unknown)
Suspended None
Form W
Discipline Y1 R0
Leading scorers Sterling, Sturridge 1
The Guardian, Friday 22 August 2014 17.14 BST
