Evening all. So the curtain comes down on Saturday's Premier League action with a match between the champions Manchester City and Swansea City. Both sides like going forward - there should be plenty of goals!

Before we get into all the statistics and facts, lets bring you some team news from the Etihad...

Man City X1: Hart; Richards, Kompany, Nastasic, Clichy; Y.Toure, Barry, Nasri, Kolarov; Aguero, Tevez

So, Edin Dzeko and Joleon Lescott drop out from the defeat to Ajax. It's hardly surprising that Lescott doesn't feature - him and Mancini do not appear to be seeing eye to eye at the moment. With Aleksandar Kolarov and Gael Clichy both playing, it could mean that Mancini has once again reverted back to the controversial three-man defence. We shall see.

We are still awaiting the Swansea starting lineup. It should be with you shortly.

Just going back to the Man City side and the inclusion of Tevez is an interesting one. Despite starting the season well, the little Argentine has not found the net in his last eight matches. You can imagine that Mario Balotelli and Dzeko will both be disappointed not to be featuring.

Swansea X1: Vorm; Rangel, Chico, Williams, Davies; Britton, Ki Sung Yueng, Dyer, De Guzman, Routledge; Michu

It's a case of spot the forward for Swansea! Michael Laudrup has opted to start without a recognised frontman for this match. Looking at the team, it seems as though Michu will be the most advanced Swansea player. Nathan Dyer, Wayne Routledge and Jonathan De Guzman will no doubt be asked to offer the support.

Turning attention back to City for a moment and a victory today could prove to be vital when considering that title rivals Chelsea and Manchester face each other tomorrow. Whatever the result, City will gain on at least one of those teams with a win against the Swans.

A similar result to when these two sides met in the same fixture will do Man City that is for sure! On his debut Sergio Aguero netted twice as his new side ran out 4-0 winners.

You actually have to go back all the way to 1951 to find Swansea's last victory over their hosts in Manchester. Still, records are there to be broken.

And if there's a manager who knows a thing or two about upsets it is Laudrup. During his time in charge of Getafe in La Liga the Danish boss oversaw victories against Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Talking of Laudrup, when the sun was shining back in August and September his Swansea side were playing some of the best football in the league. They swatted aside the likes of Queens Park Rangers and West Ham United, only to then struggle against Aston Villa, Everton and Stoke City.

It's a tough ask for Laudrup's Swans today though. Man City are unbeaten in their last 33 Premier League matches at the Etihad. Only Aston Villa have won their in League Cup in that time.

One player that could be key to Swansea ending that run is Spanish midfielder Michu. He has been a revelation since joining from Rayo Vallecano, scoring six goals from just eight shots on target. It looks as though he'll be asked to play as a centre-forward today. With his eye for goal, he should be able to adapt to the positional switch.

Michu may be told to play on Matija Nastasic. The young Serbian is new to the Premier League and possesses nowhere near the experience that Lescott does. It would be really interesting to know the situation between Mancini and Lescott, who was a mainstay of the City defence that won the Premier League last season.

While we wait for the start of this match, let's look at the other Premier League encounters that have already taken place...

Aston Villa 1-1 Norwich, Arsenal 1-0 QPR, Reading 3-3 Fulham, Stoke 0-0 Sunderland, Wigan 2-1 West Ham

It looks as though Match of the Day will be worth a look just for the Reading vs. Fulham match! Let's hope this match at the Etihad also delivers some goals.

Right, the players are now on their way out. Not long now until we are off and running...

Man City get the game underway...

It's been all Man City so far, although they are yet to pose much of an attacking threat.

At the moment it looks as though Michu and De Guzman are being asked to lead the line for Swansea. It's a strange pairing from Laudrup, although he doesn't have too many options up front with Danny Graham carrying a knock.

It's still Man City that are seeing plenty of the ball. However, they are yet to get in a position to potentially hurt Swansea. It's all a bit predictable.

One thing that is noticeable at the Etihad is the number of empty seats. It's strange to think that the Premier League champions are unable to fill their ground for a home encounter, whoever the opposition are.

CHANCE! First sight of goal for the Swans as De Guzman swings over a cross for Williams, who just fails to make contact as he challenges with Hart.

BOOKING! Swansea full-back Angel Rangel sees yellow for one of the most blatant dives you are likely to see!

Brave defending from Richards denies Michu from 10 yards out. The Spaniard felt the force of that challenge and is now down receiving treatment.

Michu is now up and looking a little groggy. However, he returns to the action.

Another injury break. This time it's Man City's Kolarov who goes down. However, the Serbian is up and the home side restart with a free kick.

The hosts are still struggling to break down the Swansea defence. It's the final pass that is lacking at the moment - something that the injured David Silva may have been able to deliver.

Statistics so far show that Man City have had 70% of the possession. Still, they are yet to do anything with it.

DISALLOWED GOAL! Michu sends the ball into the net from 12 yards out with a neat finish but he is flagged offside. Replays show that it was the correct decision.

A big chance for Swansea goes begging as Pablo Hernandez drills a cross square, only for Vincent Kompany to hack clear with Michu lurking at the back post.

CHANCE! Big opportunity for Swansea as Michu races through one-on-one with Hart. The midfielder's touch lets him down though and the Man City goalkeeper blocks.

Two minutes of stoppage time to be played...

HALF-TIME: Man City 0-0 Swansea

Lacklustre would be the best way to describe Man City's performance there. The supporters let them know just how they feel with a chorus of jeers. Swansea on the other hand can be content with their work during the opening 45 minutes.

While we wait for the second half to get back underway, here's our half-time report from the Etihad.

HALF-TIME SUBSTITUTION: Mario Balotelli comes on for Kolarov and Swansea get the second half underway...

The substitution of Balotelli has made a real difference here. The Italian has injected some pass into Man City's play that was lacking in the first half.

Half a chance for Balotelli has Samir Nasri slips him in. The young striker rounds Vorm, but is forced wide and the danger passes.

Balotelli again involved but he is unable to reach a low cross from Micah Richards. Any touch there and Man City would have been celebrating the opening goal.

We've got a break in play as Ashley Williams requires treatment on a head injury...

SAVE! Aguero swings his right foot from 18 yards but Vorm is on hand to collect with minimal drama. Man City are now in the ascendancy.

SAVE! Big chance for Swanswa as Michu gets between two defenders and heads goalwards. Thankfully for Man City Hart is on hand to parry clear.

Cracking strike from the Argentine international. Gael Clichy picks him out with a fortunate sidewards pass at the striker takes one touch, before beating Vorm from 25 yards out.

It looks as though Vorm's match is over. The Dutch keeper appears to have hurt himself diving as he attempted to keep out Tevez's shot.

SUBSTITUTION: And that is it for Vorm. He's leaving the pitch on a stretcher with what looks like a knee injury. Gerhard Tremmel replaces him.

SUBSTITUTION: Change for Swansea as striker Danny Graham takes the place of Leon Britton.

CHANCE! A sight of goal for De Guzman, who flashes a shot wide of Joe Hart's upright from 30 yards out.

SUBSTITUTION: Final change for the Swans as Nathan Dyer takes the place of Pablo Hernandez.

Micah Richards hits the ground holding his knee in apparent agony. Looks to be a nasty one.

SUBSTITUTION: It's game over for Richards - the stretcher is out. Kolo Toure takes his place.

BOOKING! Substitute Dyer gets his name taken following a late sliding challenge on Clichy.

12 minutes of stoppage time to be played! Those injuries have taken their toll...

SUBSTITUTION: Defensive swap by Mancini as Aguero limps off to be replaced by Lescott.

CHANCE! Half an opportunity for Swansea goes begging as Ki flashes a shot wide following neat build up play. Still time for Swansea to find the net.

Man City have the ball in the right place as far as they are concerned. They're keeping possession inside the Swansea half.

CHANCE! Tevez has the chance to seal the points for the home side but he scuffs wide from 18 yards out.

It was by no means pretty but Man City have an important three points. Mancini will have concerns over the performance, but winning when not playing well is the sign of champions.

And that is all we have for you this evening. Be sure to check out our match analysis that will be coming your way shortly. Thanks for joining us.