Manchester City vs. Norwich City: Starting Lineup Prediction for the Blues

Norwich City are the latest visitors to the Etihad Stadium, intent on preventing the hosts from continuing their flawless home record this season.

Manchester City were able to rotate their squad for last Tuesday’s Carling Cup tie at Emirates Stadium, with only Samir Nasri retaining his place from Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Anfield.  

Joe Hart

Costel Pantilimon produced his best performance yet for the Blues during their 1-0 Carling Cup victory over Arsenal. A string of fine saves has given the young Romanian the confidence to prosper long-term at the club, but he has one of the finest goalkeepers in England to displace for the City No. 1 spot. Hart was rested following his heroics at Anfield, but an instant return to Premier League action is expected as the Blues continue with their title push.

Micah Richards, Vincent Kompany, Joleon Lescott and Gael Clichy

Following his injury against Arsenal, Aleksandar Kolarov missed training this week, with a return against Bayern Munich a likelier target.

Richards and Clichy have tended to be the Premier League full-backs of choice for Mancini as he rotates his squad for cup duties. Nedum Onuoha and Pablo Zabaleta deputised admirably midweek, with Onuoha making his first appearance since the Carling Cup second-round victory over Birmingham City and Zabaleta covering at left-back against the speedy Oxlaide-Chamberlain.

Stefan Savic and Kolo Toure were solid at the back, dismissing any speculation over their ability as they kept a vital clean sheet that sent the Blues into the League Cup semifinals. Despite this, Vincent Kompany and Joleon Lescott have cemented their partnership in front of Joe Hart, with disruption unlikely.

Gareth Barry, Nigel de Jong and James Milner

Returning from suspension is the scorer of England’s 2,000th goal, Gareth Barry. Nigel de Jong and Owen Hargreaves were given the task of marshaling the Emirates midfield, with the latter appearing tired as he continues along the comeback road following serious injury problems. Hargreaves missed Thursday’s training session but fully competed on Friday. However, such is the seriousness of his condition that it is unlikely he will be required for action so soon after completing 78 minutes of game time. 

Yaya Toure has become one of City’s key performers in the push for honours, but such is the hectic scheduling of upcoming fixtures that Roberto Mancini may choose to rest him for this game. Midfield battles versus Bayern Munich and Chelsea await later in the week.

David Silva, Mario Balotelli and Sergio Aguero

Tuesday night’s match-winner, Sergio Aguero, played for one hour as he replaced the injured Aleksandar Kolarov after 32 minutes. Edin Dzeko completed the full 90, whilst Mario Balotelli has now served his one-match suspension and is likely to start against Norwich.

With Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Arsenal to play in the next two weeks, it is possible that some of the "fringe" players of the squad may be given a starting opportunity against Norwich. It would be no huge surprise to see Adam Johnson feature, despite a disappointing performance at the Emirates, or even Samir Nasri as he still adapts to a new club and style of play at Manchester City.

Big decisions await the manager, with three points on Saturday being the pressing matter at hand.