Dzeko and Jovetic set for another chance to impress

With Sergio Aguero still coming back to fitness, the spot opposite him in City's starting lineup is still up for grabs.

There is a feelgood factor at Manchester City this season as the champions look to get even better, and it is no more in evidence than in the striking department.

Edin Dzeko has played himself into a new deal with his form and confidence over the last few months, while Stevan Jovetic is fighting fit after injury ruined his first season at the club.

Both strikers have got Manuel Pellegrini purring.

On Dzeko, the Blues boss said: "Edin has convinced himself that he can't wait as a striker just to score one goal," he said

"He has to play for 95 minutes every game, not always scoring but working for the team and making the movements.

"I think he is one of the players who has improved most in his attitude in the game."

"I was very pleased because I think that Edin is a very important player for our squad. He is playing very well and so he deserved to renew his contract with the club."

And on Jovetic: “I think Stevan is playing very well. He is in a very good moment with us and I hope he will continue in the same way because he is a very important and very good player for us.

“I always say my players are the best players in the Premier League and we have the strongest squad, not only attackers but also defending and in the whole squad.

“He has a lot of movement and if you review what happened last season every time he went from the bench on the pitch he always scored.

“He is a very good finisher and we will see the real Stevan Jovetic this season.”

It puts the Blues in a strong position going into Monday's game with Liverpool, but with Sergio Aguero almost fully fit it means one of the two strikers will likely be benched in favour of the Argentine in the near future.

Pellegrini is unlikely to be worried by his selection choices. The manager wants two strong players for every position and certainly has that up front.

With Alvaro Negredo injured and City in four competitions, both players will get ample game time.

But it does mean that while the pair look to form a fruitful partnership for the time being, they are essentially up against each other for the starting spot opposite Aguero.

Looking at their performance against Newcastle, it is hard to separate the pair.

Dzeko got the all-important assist and was a bigger help defensively but Jovetic did create more chances for the team and won more fouls.

Against Liverpool, both players are set for a chance to put a marker down - against the side that ran City closest last season.

If either player puts in a performance matching their potential, City will be hard to beat. If both do, Pellegrini has yet another welcome dilemma on his hands.

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