Bolton manager Owen Coyle will monitor the fitness of midfielder Stuart Holden who is recovering from a thigh injury.
The American's replacement Mark Davies could retain his place after scoring a late equaliser against Blackpool last weekend.
Manchester City
Injured: M Johnson (knee), Nimely (ankle)
Bolton
Doubtful: Holden (thigh)
Injured: Davis & J O'Brien (both knee), Gardner (thigh), Samuel (calf)
MATCH PREVIEW
Manchester City and Bolton were both unbeaten in November but while Bolton have been winning praise, City's press has been a lot less positive.
This month will be very important for us as we have some difficult games against strong teams
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini
Expectations are high at the City of Manchester Stadium and Wednesday's comfortable 3-0 win against Salzburg in the Europa League cannot disguise the fact that City have not scored at home in the league for over two months.
True, the Blues are fourth in the league and Champions League football looks a distinct possibility next season. However, they are also five points behind leaders and arch rivals Manchester United, and that is not helping Roberto Mancini's cause.
Bolton have not finished in the top 10 since the 2006-7 season but the signs look good for Owen Coyle's side, who will climb above Manchester City if they win on Saturday.
Last week's comeback against Blackpool, courtesy of two memorable goals, showed both the spirit and the quality running through the side. Only Arsenal and Liverpool have got the better of Bolton this season and City will have to be at their best to inflict defeat number three.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• Manchester City and Bolton have met 120 times in all competitions, with City leading by 49 wins to 45.
• City won this fixture 2-0 last season with goals from Tevez (pen) and Adebayor.
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Manchester City
• Manchester City have failed to score in their last three home games in the league.
• City are unbeaten in five league matches, winning two and drawing three.
• Joe Hart has kept seven clean sheets this season. Only Chelsea's Petr Cech (eight) has kept more.
• City have 26 points from 15 games, exactly the same as they had at this stage last season under Mark Hughes.
Bolton
• Bolton are unbeaten in five league matches, winning three and drawing two.
• The Trotters have scored four penalties this season, more than any other Premier League side.
• Johan Elmander has scored in five of Bolton's seven Premier League away matches this season.
• Bolton have not kept a clean sheet since a 0-0 draw with Fulham on the opening day of the season.
LEADING GOALSCORERS
Manchester City
Tevez: 9 goals (9 league); Balotelli: 5 goals (2 league)
Bolton
Elmander: 8 goals (8 league); K Davies: 6 goals (6 league)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Andre Marriner
Assistant referees: Jake Collin & Scott Ledger
Fourth official: Colin Webster
LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS
Manchester City (D1-1 v Stoke, a): Hart, Richards, Toure, Kompany, Kolarov, De Jong, Milner (Adam Johnson 82), Barry, Silva, Balotelli (Jo 90), Tevez. Subs Not Used: Given, Wright-Phillips, Boateng, Lescott, Vieira
Bolton (D2-2 v Blackpool, h): Jaaskelainen, Ricketts, Cahill, Knight, Robinson, Lee (Moreno 60), Mark Davies, Muamba (Klasnic 70), Taylor (Petrov 60), Kevin Davies, Elmander. Subs Not Used: Bogdan, Steinsson, Blake, Cohen.
Source: BBC Sport
Source: BBC Sport