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Two former Inter Milan coaches will match wits tonight as City take on Liverpool at Eastlands. In what is likely to be a tight, tactical affair, expect diamond geezer Roy Hodgson to have spotted weaknesses in the City side, most notably the full-back issue and the lack of cohesiveness that Mancini's team continues to display, albeit understandable. Additionally, Hodgson will likely have noted City's tendency to start games slowly, so I wouldn't be surprised to see Liverpool begin the tie at a high tempo in an attempt to catch us cold - we'll see.

As far as team news goes, it's one step forward and two back for City at the moment. A battling display in Romania has been tempered by reports that both Kolorov and Boateng will be out for up to six weeks, so expect to see the same defence against Liverpool - surely Richards cannot be considered at right-back, can he? There is some better news, though, if the usual media sources are to be believed - Mario Balotelli should be available on Monday, and, if fit, I would hope that the Italian plays a part in the encounter. For Liverpool, Torres may get an opportunity to feature, but Joe Cole is suspended of course, and perhaps Mascherano will make his farewell appearance for the Scousers.

As with most games, the midfield battle will be key, with two of the best midfielders in the business (at least on paper) going head-to-head. The measure of Yaya Toure's ability will be well tested by Stevie Gerrard, who looks to be one of the Liverpool players doing well under Hodgson's guidance. More intriguingly, will new boy James Milner take his place in the engine room alongside the big Ivorian, or will Mancini have other ideas? This would be my team for the fixture, assuming all named below are fit -

-----------------------Hart----------------------
--Zabaleta----K. Toure-------Kompany-----Lescott--
----------------------Barry-----------------------
-----Y. Toure-----------------------------Milner----
----------------------Tevez-----------------------
-----A. Johnson---------------Balotelli-----------

bench; Given,Richards,Cunningham,DeJong,SWP,
Silva,Adebayor

So, a different line-up yet again, but I've gone with a team based on players are in-form and can offer something going forward when required. Hence I prefer Barry in the 'holding" role to De Jong, which is no criticism of the Dutch enforcer - I just feel that Barry can support the forwards a little better, and will know Gerrard's game inside-out. He is slower than De Jong, but this is countered by Barry's better ability in the air, and there will be plenty of opportunities for Nige (away games, european ties, cup games etc) in the coming season. James Milner and Yaya are harnessed together as box-to-box midfielders, in what is a potentially devastating combination, given time.

Up front, Tevez continues his "false 9" adventure, allowing AJ and Ballotelli to drift around him as needed. This formation does need the full-backs to push on and provide width, and obviously neither Zaba or Lescott are naturals at this, but Thurday's European tie was somewhat encouraging in this respect. The defence as a whole picks itself, really, with Micah and Cunningham on the bench if injury/tactics require. Attacking options look very good, so there is plenty of scope for change at some point.

In summary, look for signs of progress as Mancini gradually aquires the players who he feels can make his system work. As long as we match Liverpool's workrate and battling qualities, then with a bit of luck City should have enough to claim a tight victory.

BLOOVIC