Stuttering Manchester City entertain inconsistent Tottenham in Sunday afternoon's potentially titanic clash at the Etihad Stadium.
City have all but been eliminated from the UEFA Champions League having played to a 2-2 draw at home to Ajax Amsterdam on Tuesday night.
Roberto Mancini's men are now bottom in Group D with only two matches left of the pool stages.
The midweek slump in Europe also followed a goalless stalemate at West Ham last Saturday which left the Premier League champions in third and two points off leaders Manchester United.
Meanwhile, sixth-placed Spurs make the trip to Eastlands on the back of a comfortable 3-1 victory over Maribor at White Hart Lane in the Europa League on Thursday.
However, Andre Villas-Boas' side missed a perfect opportunity to move up the league table last weekend after they suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Wigan in the capital.
In team news, Brazil midfielder Sandro has a chance of recovering from a calf injury for the clash with the Citizens.
Emmanuel Adebayor could also make his first league start of the season at his former club following the striker's substitute appearance against the Latics.
Otherwise, Villas-Boas' only other selection headache will be whether to stick with Hugo Lloris or recall Brad Friedel in goal.
Mousa Dembele (hip), Scott Parker (Achilles), Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Younes Kaboul (both knee) all remain sidelined.
For City, Joleon Lescott (back), Maicon (foot) and David Silva (hamstring) are all back in training and could be in contention for the crunch tie.
Right-back Micah Richards (knee) and midfielders James Milner and Jack Rodwell (both hamstring) are still unavailable.
