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Manchester City return to Barclays Premier League action at Hull City in urgent need of three points to keep their title challenge on course.
In the three weeks since Yaya Toure scored the only goal to secure a narrow 1-0 win over Stoke City, Manuel Pellegrini's side have claimed Capital One Cup glory against Sunderland, while exiting the FA Cup at the quarter-final stage in a shock home defeat to Wigan Athletic, and suffering UEFA Champions League elimination by Barcelona by a 4-1 aggregate margin in the round of 16. If dreams of an unlikely quadruple have gone, the Barclays Premier League title remains very much in Man City’s sights, and their fate remains in their own hands, as they lie nine points behind leaders Chelsea with three matches in hand.
Having extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to 20 matches with a swashbuckling 5-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur at the end of January, City have won three and lost four of their past eight fixtures. During the aforementioned purple patch the club burst through the 100-goal barrier in record time against Cardiff City, but there have been just eight goals since the White Hart Lane win, with Pellegrini's previously prolific attack blunted on three occasions.
City are again without Sergio Aguero, whose troublesome hamstring flared up against Barcelona on Wednesday to force a half-time withdrawal. He will be out for more than one week, but Pellegrini was not more specific.
Hull come into the contest buoyed by a comprehensive 3-0 win over Sunderland that booked an FA Cup semi-final encounter against League One outfit Sheffield United. Goals by Curtis Davies, David Meyler and Matty Fryatt during a rampant second-half period made it three wins in the last four matches for Steve Bruce's men, although they will look to atone for a 4-1 home reverse against Newcastle United in their last Barclays Premier League outing.
Preparing to face a Man City side that has won five and drawn two of its last seven Barclays Premier League away matches, Hull are five points clear of third-bottom Cardiff City having played a game less.