Roberto Mancini is under a bit of pressure after seeing his star-studded Manchester City side torn apart by Ajax for yet another defeat in the Champions League.
The Italian will seek redemption in the English Premier League against a Swansea side that look solid and are sure to given the defending champions a run for their money come Saturday.
As much as City have been impressive in the Premier League last season, they have always flattered to deceive in Europe. This year, however, if not for a couple of face-saving late goals, City would have been in a much worse position than the third place in the Premier League.
Edin Dzeko, especially, has time and again come to his team's rescue, with the Manchester club looking surprisingly fragile at the back, and prone to conceding late goals.
More than the leaky defense though, it is the midfield that has not really come to the party so far this season. The likes of Jack Rodwell and Javi Garcia have not been enough of a screening presence, which in turn has left the defense exposed. The return of Gareth Barry will be welcomed by Mancini, even if the England midfielder might have taken a little bit of time to settle to the pace of the games played.
In their previous meeting at City's home ground, the champions romped to a 4-0 win thanks to four second-half goals; however, Swansea did beat the mighty City at their Liberty Stadium home last season and with Michael Laudrup slowly but surely stamping his authority on the team, the Welsh club are well capable of causing another upset at the fortress that is the Etihad.
That enviable home record is what Mancini will point to as he looks to bring about a semblance of dominance that is expected from last year's winners.
"It is always difficult when you play away from home," Laudrup told reporters. "Swansea played their first game in the Premier League away at Man City last year and lost 4-0.
"But they also went on to beat the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Man City at home, as well as drawing with both Spurs and Chelsea.
"So we know it is possible for us to go and get a result."
Laudrup, who will look to their leading goalscorer Michu for another virtuoso performance, believes Swansea will have nothing to lose when they take on City, with all the pressure on the home side to get a productive result. "There is a lot for us to win and nothing to lose but we always have to take one game at a time and not get too carried away," he said. "It's always a difficult game against City.
"They will have something to prove to the fans after the defeat on Wednesday night and show them that they still want to be at the top end of the table come the end of the season.
"That means we will need to be even more prepared."
City's inspirational playmaker David Silva, who scored in that 4-0 win over Swansea last year, has been ruled out, with Mancini left with the decision yet again on which of the four strikers - Carlos Tevez, Mario Balotelli, Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero -- to start with.
With Chelsea and Manchester United set to clash in the big game of the weekend, Mancini will know all three points will be absolutely necessary - to not just remain on the tails of the leaders, but also to get some positivity back to the club.
Expected lineups: Manchester City: Hart, Clichy, Lescott, Kompany, Richards, Barry, Toure, Milner, Nasri, Tevez, Aguero.
Swansea: Vorm, Rangel, Chico, Williams, Davies, Routledge, De Guzman, Ki, Britton, Hernandez, Michu.
Prediction: 3-1 to City
