Roberto Mancini's priorities will be put to the test when Manchester City host Sporting Lisbon looking to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit for a place in the quarter-finals of the Europa League, live on ESPN HD on Thursday at 2005 GMT.

A deft backheel by Sporting defender Xandao was the difference between the two sides when they met at Estadio Jose Alvalade on March 8, with City disappointing on a night where the blow of defeat was compounded by an injury suffered by captain Vincent Kompany.

Then City, with a centre-back partnership of Kolo Toure and Stefan Savic, slumped to a 1-0 defeat in the Premier League at Swansea City, resulting in their rivals United leapfrogging them in the table. Now Mancini must consider how to approach the European tie ahead of next week's meeting with Chelsea.

The Italian coach can take heart from these two key games being at home, where City have been so imposing this campaign. In the league they have won all 14 of their matches at the City of Manchester Stadium, while in Europe they are unbeaten in 16 fixtures on their own turf.

Furthermore, six days separate the meetings with Sporting and Chelsea, so any severe rotation from Mancini would more than raise an eyebrow. There is an argument that Mancini may in fact see the Sporting tie as an opportune moment to regain momentum.

Since edging out City, Sporting hammered Guimaraes 5-0 to put them fourth in the Portuguese Liga. This result was achieved at home - with Jeffren Suarez staking his claim for a starting role at Eastlands with a quick-fire brace - where Ricardo Sa Pinto's team have enjoyed the better of their results this term.

Indeed, the 39-year-old Sa Pinto, who took over from Domingos Paciencia in February, takes his side to Manchester with - in spite of the advantage accrued - quite the task ahead of him; Sporting having won only once in their last eight European away games.

Manchester City player to watch: Yaya Toure : The Ivory Coast international is the driving force behind this City team. Without him, as they were at Sporting, Mancini's team can look ordinary. It is the midfielder's power through the centre that makes him such a valuable asset; the former Barcelona player capable of box-to-box runs in staggering time. In 180 minutes of Europa League football this season, Toure has notched two assists, while his goal threat should not be underestimated. If Toure's on song, then City have more than a chance of progression.

Sporting player to watch: Matias Fernandez: For the 69 minutes he played against City, Fernandez caught the eye. The Chile international, signed by Sporting from Villarreal in 2009, took up some nifty positions to cause his opponents' defence headaches. Indeed, it would not be misplaced to liken his playing style to that of the brilliant David Silva. With two goals and one assist tallied in six appearances in Europe this season, Fernandez might be Sporting's most potent route to a potentially decisive away goal.

Key battle: Stefan Savic v Ricky van Wolfswinkel: Savic continues to look a shaky customer, instilling little confidence within the heart of City's defence. With Kompany certainly absent and Joleon Lescott rated as doubtful, the Montenegro international is set to partner Kolo Toure at centre-back. Van Wolfswinkel will be eager to exploit this potential weak link in City's armour; the Dutchman out to impress having been linked with a move to the Premier League. The forward, who has scored eight times in 13 matches this season, has reportedly attracted the interest of City's rivals United.

Trivia: Head coach Sa Pinto faced City's James Milner (against Newcastle in the quarter-finals) and Adam Johnson (in the round of 16 against Middlesbrough) as a Sporting player in the 2004-05 UEFA Cup.

Stats: Sporting have met City's rivals Manchester United four times, winning once and losing on three occasions.

Match

game on

lisbon 1- 0

hahahahahahaha

mukina2: hahahahahahaha

laugh laugh

2-0 , dem wan kill city o

2- 0

Manshitty is juselessssss

Im sick and tired of all these EPL teams man....wat the hell is wrong with them...

savic is the worstiest player have ever seen in my life , how did he manage to be in that squad ..strong agent i guess

2-0 Premiership is useless

The leaders wan chop home and away beating?

na wa o

poor Yaya

eu sou sportingista and happy to tell the world that.looks like there is a snake of loss in the manchester area this nite.1st it was manure and now it is the turn of their noisy neighbours shitty.

Confiramtion : EPL is over-rated!

mukina2: na wa o

poor Yaya

no be you cause am .. when u dey honeymoon with him for months

how come this thread is still going 0-0 when it is 0-3.i smell bias from the mods.are they shitty fans

how come AVB is sacked,Steve Bruce and the rest shown the door and Roberto Manshitty still at the helm of affairs,strong agent i suspect? : :

fredoooooo:

no be you cause am .. when u dey honeymoon with him for months

wetin free us jor

the viper:
how come this thread is still going 0-0 when it is 0-3.i smell bias from the mods.are they shitty fans

nna bros where you see 3 -0

mukina2:
wetin free us jor


nna bros where you see 3 -0

enjoy o , just do quick because me dey miss u for here

see Nasri dey warm up EXTRA TYRE

fredoooooo:

enjoy o , just do quick because me dey miss u for here

i yam hia

mukina2:
i yam hia

finally , make i throw party o ,

all gooners,what are ur thoughts on Nasir and Clichy who left us claiming lack of silverware instead of stating thier hunger 4 mo pounds and are going to wind up tropyless and less playing time.GUNNERS,YES WE CAN!!!!

see fine pass by yaya , richards no sabi cross ball again

the viper: freoooooooo,i dey ur side my man.como esta,tdu bueno? we are about to watch the end of an era.the manchester era i mean. yes! gunners can!!!!!

todo bien .....i am not a gunner , i am a mukina2ner

dzeko on for pizzaro

OK fredoooooo.sorry about that.bt i know that muki is a gooner and by virtue of that,u will soon be a member

Manchester: A city united by shame

Manchester: A city united by shame

the viper: OK fredoooooo.sorry about that.bt i know that muki is a gooner and by virtue of that,u will soon be a member

you are joking right ? ,me a memeber , only mukina2 can answer that correctly

aguero score

the viper nor mind fredddoo hin head nor dey dia

Aguero don make am 2-1 o!