New Manchester City signing Sergio Aguero will begin the Premier League season on the bench.
The £38m signing from Atletico Madrid has been deemed only fit enough to be a substitute by manager Roberto Mancini, along with Mario Balotelli.
Gael Clichy has been handed his league debut by Mancini, while Edin Dzeko will start the match as a lone striker.
Newly promoted Swansea City start with seven of the players that begun the play-off final victory over Reading.
Manager Brendan Rodgers has handed a first start to £3.5m record signing Danny Graham up front, with Michel Vorm also being handed a debut in goal.