Manchester City will be pressed to prove that the loss to Cardiff was a blip on the radar and not something that is going to be a trend. Pointing to that possibility is that there were no signs of the malaise that struck Man City last week when they opened up their EPL campaign by toasting Newcastle 4-0.
With that 1-1 record, the clubs enter this match tied in the standings. Hull City impressed last week by beating Norwich City 1-0, and they played the majority of that match with just 10 men. That win followed a tough 2-0 loss to Chelsea and surely gave them some confidence.
Now this feisty group will try to steal at least a point on the road.
Manchester City have Matija Nastasic (ankle) back in contention, but captain Vincent Kompany (groin) and fellow defender Micah Richards (hamstring) remain sidelined.
Hull travel to Manchester with striker Yannick Sagbo ruled out through suspension.
Stephen Quinn (hamstring) could return for manager Steve Bruce, who is likely to ring the changes after making 11 changes for the Capital One Cup victory against Leyton Orient in midweek.
What they've said ahead of kick-off:
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini:
"Set pieces are very important and we must learn from last week. It was a bad game for us in that way, but I we must improve for our next game.
"I think Hull have started well, they played very well against Chelsea. We will have to mark a very difficult team here also, so we will have to play very well."
Where: Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England
When: Saturday, Aug. 31 at 7:45 a.m. ET (12:45 p.m. BST)
