Manchester City's bid to reach the knockout stages of this season's Champions League is one negative result away from flat-lining.
Having been pegged back in the Russian capital a fortnight ago, City, with two points from three outings, stand on the brink of elimination from the competition.
Nothing but a victory on Wednesday evening when CSKA Moscow visit the Etihad Stadium will do if Manuel Pellegrini's side are to reverse their European fortunes.
As for visiting CSKA, a defeat in Manchester would realistically leave them to battle it out for third spot and a place in the Europa League.
In terms of team selection, City will have to make do without the services of injured playmaker David Silva. The Spaniard is likely to be joined on the sidelines by Aleksandar Kolarov, Eliaquim Mangala and Frank Lampard.
Samir Nasri has recently returned to action, though, and could be included in the starting lineup, while Edin Dzeko has been tipped to partner Sergio Aguero in attack.
Meanwhile, Swedish midfielder Rasmus Elm and striker Kirill Panchenko will play no part for CSKA because of stomach and knee problems respectively.
In goal, Igor Akinfeev will turn out for CSKA. The Russian number one has not kept a clean sheet in his last 24 Champions League outings. However, his last shut out did come in England back in 2006 during a tie with Arsenal.
When the two sides met at the Etihad Stadium in last season's group stage, City ran out 5-2 winners, with Alvaro Negredo helping himself to a hat-trick.
Recent form
Man City: WWDLLW
CSKA: LWDDWL
Possible starting lineups
Man City: Hart; Clichy, Kompany, Demichelis, Zabaleta; Fernando, Toure, Nasri, Milner; Dzeko, Aguero
CSKA: Akinfeev; V Berezutski, Ignashevich, A Berezutski, Schennikov, Fernandes; Eremenko, Natcho, Tosic; Musa, Doumbia
Sports Mole says: 3-1
Liam Apicella
