Manchester City and Bolton both won 4-0 in their opening Premier League fixture against newly promoted sides. It's worth noting that Bolton and Manchester City are placed 1st and 2nd in the Premier League respectively, as it may not stay that way for too much longer.
Manchester City will be hoping that their opening day performance against Swansea will inspire them to a victory at the Reebok Stadium. City will also be hoping to mirror their achievement against Bolton at the Reebok on the final day of last season, when Joleon Lescott and Edin Dzeko secured the three points for the Blues. In securing the three points, City cemented a third place finish and a pass in to the Champions League group stages.
Such things can't be achieved this time, but another win to build on a good start is what Roberto Mancini is hoping for - and his players won't want to disappoint. I think Manchester City will win this game. I'm not expecting a City performance similar to the one against Swansea, but Bolton are a team that Manchester City are perfectly capable of beating.
The biggest problem that faces Roberto Mancini ahead of this fixture is who to select up front. Carlos Tevez, Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli are all fit for this fixture, and they will all hope their performances on the pitch and in training have influenced Mancini's thoughts ahead of the team selection.
Nigel de Jong may be missing due to an injury sustained in the victory over Swansea last week.
Bolton 1-3 Manchester City.
Hart; Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy; Milner, Barry, Yaya Toure; Silva, Dzeko, Johnson.
Taylor; Zabaleta, Savic, Kolarov, Razak; Aguero, Balotelli.
