The Citizens will be hoping to maintain their lead at the top when they face newly promoted side Bournemouth in a home fixture. The Citizens were in festive mood last time out as they thrashed Newcastle United 6-1 in their last league outing.
Sergio Aguero was the star of the show, scoring five times however the Argentinean has been ruled out for a month and will not be able to take part in the subsequent tie alongside David Silva and Aleksandar Kolarov who also picked up injuries during the international week. Whereas the likes of Fabian Delph and Gael Clichy will also remain sidelined.
"Sergio has a muscle injury. It is an important injury so I don't think he will be back before one month. David Silva has a kick in his ankle, he is also out," Pellegrini said.
"Fabian Delph and Clichy continue recovering and Aleks Kolarov also has a muscle injury in his hamstring. They are the five players injured."
The Chilean tactician is however hopeful that the likes of Kolarov and Silva can return to action earlier than expected.
"It is difficult to know because it depends on the way they improve. I hope both of them can be back before 15 days."
With star striker Sergio Aguero ruled out for a month, former Swansea striker Wilfried Bony is poised to lead the line for the Citizens. The Ivorian has failed to have a notable effect so far, but Pellegrini is confident that Bony will produce the goods.
"I always trust a lot in Bony," he said. "He is a very good striker, a very good player and he has had very bad luck here. He arrives in January and goes to the Africa [Nations] Cup but he comes back he has a problem and last season he could not demonstrate what he can do.
"I am sure now he has the responsibility and he will demonstrate why he is here."
Bournemouth on the other hand have injury concerns of their own with top scorer Callum Wilson the most notable absentee. Record signing Tyrone Mings as well as Max Gradel have been sidelined, whereas captain Tommy Elphick has been ruled out until new year due to an ankle injury. Elphick's injury has resulted in former Man City man Sylvain Distin establishing himself as a first team regular who is poised to start against his former club during Saturday's outing.
Team sheets for Man City vs Bournemouth
Man City's Starting XI: Hart, Zabaleta, Otamendi, Mangala, Sagna, Fernandinho, Toure, Navas, De Bruyne, Sterling, Bony.
Bournemouth's Starting XI: Boruc, Francis, Cook, Distin, Daniels, Smith, Gosling, O'Kane, Surman, Ritchie, Murray.
Man City's subs: Caballero, Demichelis, Kompany, Fernando, Nasri, Roberts, Iheanacho.
Bournemouth's subs: Federici, Cargill, Bennett, MacDonald, Pugh, King, Kermorgant.
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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