Manuel Pellegrini’s side have just endured a second bumpy patch of form in this title-defence season and as this one has left them five points behind Chelsea with only 15 games remaining a third cannot be afforded. The manager has all of his players fit – a rarity – so he has no excuse for not fielding the strongest XI and for not defeating Steve Bruce’s strugglers, who are third-bottom. Jamie Jackson
Kick-off Saturday 3pm
Venue Etihad Stadium
Last season Manchester City 2 Hull City 0
Referee J Moss
This season G17, Y55, R5, 3.5 cards per game
Odds H 1-5 A 7-1 D 18-1
Manchester City
Subs from Caballero, Wright, Boyata, Kolarov, Pozo, Dzeko, Jovetic, Mangala, Navas, Lampard, Zabaleta
Doubtful None
Injured None
Suspended None
Absent Bony, Touré (Afcon)
Form DLDWDW
Discipline Y51 R2
Leading scorer Agüero 14
Hull City
Subs from Jakupovic, Harper, Bruce, Maguire, Figueroa, McShane, Brady, Quinn, Aluko, Sagbo, N’Doye
Doubtful N’Doye (visa clearance), Jelavic (knee)
Injured Diamé (knee, 21 Feb), Chester (shoulder, Apr), Rosenior (hamstring, Apr), Snodgrass (knee, Aug)
Suspended None
Form LLLWLW
Discipline Y47 R4
Leading scorer Jelavic 6