It’s a big game for…

Alvaro Negredo. The Spaniard has not scored since the opening day when he made his debut against Stoke. However, he did play a key part in Boro’s second against Bournemouth last weekend, laying the ball into Stewart Downing’s path with the former England international doing the rest. A visit to his old employers could provide Negredo with the inspiration needed to add to his tally for the season.

Best stat…

Sergio Agüero has scored 29 goals in his last 31 Premier League games.

Remember when…

Middlesbrough hit City for eight in a stunning match with Afonso Alves bagging a hat-trick on the final day of the 2007/2008 season?

Player to watch...

Ilkay Gündogan. The German midfielder had to wait for his debut in the Premier League following an injury lay-off but he has hit the ground running since his return and netted braces in back-to-back games – unusual for a player better known for his appreciation of space and effective distribution.

Predicted teams...

Manchester City (4-4-2): Bravo; Zabaleta, Stones, Otamendi, Kolarov; Gündogan, Fernandinho; Sterling, Silva, De Bruyne; Agüero.

Middlesbrough (4-2-3-1): Valdés; Barragán, Ayala, Gibson, Friend; Traoré, de Roon, Clayton, Forshaw, Leadbitter; Negredo.

Past three meetings…

Manchester City 0 Middlesbrough 2 (Bamford, Kike), FA Cup, January 2015

Middlesbrough 0 Manchester City 1 (Benjani), FA Cup, January 2010

Manchester City 1 (Bellamy) Middlesbrough 0, Premier League, February 2009

Form guide…

Manchester City: DLDLWW

Middlesbrough: LLDLDW

Loading....

Vital information…

Kick-off time: 15:00 GMT on Saturday

TV: Highlights on BBC One from 22:20 GMT on Saturday

Odds…

Manchester City: 1/4

Middlesbrough: 15/1

Draw: 6/1