Leonid Slutski is pondering how PFC CSKA Moskva can take their first Group E points from a game against one of the "favourites" for the competition, Manchester City FC.

• CSKA coach Leonid Slutski says City remain UEFA Champions League "favourites"
• A win is crucial for both sides, with City on one point and CSKA on zero
• Slutski to make a call on the involvement of Mário Fernandes and Seydou Doumbia
• City triumphed 2-1 in Khimki 12 months ago and won the return 5-2
• Manuel Pellegrini says City must be focused against a team that won 6-0 on Saturday

 

Possible lineups
CSKA: Akinfeev; Fernandes, V Berezutski, Ignashevich, Schennikov; A Berezutski, Tošić, Natcho, Eremenko, Milanov; Musa.
• Out: Dzagoev (suspended), Wernbloom (suspensed), Elm (stomach), Panchenko (knee), Vitinho (ankle)
• Doubtful: Fernandes (elbow), Doumbia (various)

City: Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Mangala, Kolarov; Fernando, Fernandinho, Touré; Silva, Agüero, Milner.
• Out: Lampard (thigh), Nasri (groin)

Leonid Slutski, CSKA coach
We will make a decision about the participation of Mário Fernandes tomorrow and after today's training session we will decide how many minutes [Seydou] Doumbia can play.

Manchester City have been and remain favourites not only for our group but also the Champions League. And the fact that they have not won in the group does not mean anything. They played in Munich and against a strong Roma side. In their national championship they are also playing well, beating Tottenham 4-1. They are favourites, but we will make every effort to achieve a positive result.

We are preparing for a match against a top club. When we have the ball we will attack; when they have it we will defend.

The most important pairing in the centre for Manchester City is Yaya Touré and Fernandinho. At the moment, [Frank] Lampard is not such an important player for Manchester City, as he was at Chelsea for a long time.

Manuel Pellegrini, City coach
Yaya [Touré] has the quality to make a difference. He had a difficult summer, but every game he is getting better, such as against Aston Villa recently when he decided the outcome. He can play in different positions, at second striker or in the centre of midfield.

It will be a very strange game. It is a pity that we cannot play tomorrow with fans, as this competition is for the fans, but we don't have any other option.

CSKA play attacking football. Both teams continue to be an important power in their respective league. CSKA bought two or three good players [in the summer], like we did. CSKA play attacking football. We need to concentrate and keep a clean sheet.

Weekend results
Manchester City 4-1 Tottenham Hotspur FC (Agüero 13, 20pen ,68pen 75; Eriksen 15)
PFC CSKA Moskva 6-0 FC Kuban Krasnodar (Musa 13 70, Eremenko 17, ArmaÅŸ og 69, Doumbia 85 90)

Form guide (all competitions)
CSKA: WLWWWL
Man City: WWDWWD