Watch Wigan Athletic vs Bolton Wanderers Live Streaming
Watch Wigan Athletic vs Bolton Wanderers Live StreamingTonight's game represents the start of a tough period for the Blues that is likely to shape their season.
In addition to the FA Cup replay against Stoke, with Chelsea lying in wait for the victors, City must visit Stamford Bridge in the league immediately after Sunday's collision with Liverpool at Eastlands.
Not that Mancini can afford to look beyond what happens this evening.
"It is a tough period," he acknowledged.
"But at the moment, all I am thinking about is Stoke.
"In the last 15 minutes on Saturday, we shot too many balls in the air. We must continue to play on the pitch."
Mancini is bound to make changes, which include Patrick Vieira's return to central midfield.
Adam Johnson also appears a certain starter after he was cup-tied for Saturday's game.
Johnson's man-of-the-match performance against Bolton last week would probably have guaranteed him selection anyway but with Martin Petrov and Shaun Wright-Phillips both doubtful, the former Middlesbrough man seems destined to occupy a left-sided berth.
