After the two sides were involved in a highly entertaining Premier League title chase last term, they will now be looking to prove they should still be considered serious contenders for the trophy.

Some very consistent performances helped Manchester City win their second league trophy in two years last season, and everybody at the club hopes Manuel Pellegrini’s side will be able to defend the title this term.

While Eliaquim Mangala is the only summer signing expected to nail down a regular starting berth, the likes of Fernando, Lampard, Sagna and Caballero have added much needed strength in depth, while injury-free Stevan Jovetic will feel like a new signing.

Given that most key players were either missing or desperately lacking match fitness, nobody was too concerned by the Community Shield defeat to Arsenal, and the opening Premier League match proved there was no reason to worry.

Manchester City produced a very good display against heavily reinforced Newcastle to record a comfortable win at St James’ Park, something that not too many sides will be able to pull off this term.

As a result, the Citizens go into the Liverpool clash high on confidence and have been made 1.85 (17/20) favourites for the win.

With Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic impressing up front, Manuel Pellegrini is widely tipped to leave Sergio Aguero on the bench, especially since the Argentine is still not fully fit.

Pablo Zabaleta, Bacary Sagna and Alvaro Negredo continue to miss out, whereas new signing Eliaquim Mangala should be in contention.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Hart – Clichy, Kompany, Demichelis, Kolarov – Fernandinho, Toure – Nasri, Jovetic, Silva – Dzeko.

While Liverpool wait to complete the signing of Mario Balotelli from AC Milan, they are preparing to face his former club and the reigning Premier League champions.

The Reds had no one else to blame but themselves for missing out on the league title last term, and it appears they will have a much tougher task this season.

Even if it won’t be easy to replace Luis Suarez, the club have made some high-quality signings, although it remains to be seen how Liverpool will manage to balance between two important competitions.

The Reds were far from impressive in the opening Premier League fixture against Southampton, but somehow managed to emerge victorious, with Daniel Sturridge scoring the winner.

Liverpool are now available at 4.33 (10/3) to win at the Etihad, although that is clearly easier said than done.

Summer signings Lazar Markovic and Alberto Moreno are back in contention, but Daniel Agger, Adam Lallana and Jon Flanagan remain sidelined.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Mignolet – Manquillo, Skrtel, Lovren, Johnson – Gerrard, Lucas – Henderson, Sterling, Coutinho – Sturridge.