Swansea City-Manchester City Preview

Manuel Pellegrini insists he is not unduly concerned by Chelsea's impressive start to the season as Manchester City return to action after the international break with a match against Swansea City at the Etihad Stadium Saturday.

City (6-3-2) trail league leaders Chelsea by eight points after winning only one of their last three top-flight matches - although that was a bragging rights 1-0 home victory against crosstown rivals Manchester United on Nov. 2. Six days later, Pellegrini's side were forced to hit back twice from a goal down to earn a 2-2 draw at lowly Queens Park Rangers, with striker Sergio Aguero scoring both goals.

Despite City's inconsistent form, Pellegrini insists he is not perturbed by Chelsea's imposing lead.

"I'm not worried about Chelsea at all," the 61-year-old Pellegrini told his club's official website. "They are playing very well but there are a lot of games to go and we will see if they continue to enjoy such a good moment as the weeks go by.

"We are only thinking of ourselves and returning to the way we normally play - that's all that matters right now."

The Citizens, meanwhile, have also had a poor run in the Champions League and are unlikely to qualify for the last 16 of Europe's top club competition after taking just two points from their first four group matches.

Swansea (5-3-3) leapfrogged Arsenal into fifth place Nov. 9, when they beat the Gunners 2-1 at the Liberty Stadium. Gylfi Sigurdsson scored with a stunning free-kick and substitute Bafetimbi Gomis headed a late winner after Alexis Sanchez had given the Londoners the lead just after the hour mark. The Swans have taken seven points from their last three games.

City have won all three Premier League matches played against Swansea at the Etihad, but Swans defender Angel Rangel is confident that record can be broken this weekend.

"We know we can perform there - we have played well every single time we have been at the Etihad, but we haven't picked up a point yet." Rangel told his club's official website. "The win over Arsenal gives us more confidence to go to Manchester City and get something.

"We know big teams like Manchester City expect to have most of possession against teams that will sit back and play on the counter, but our style is about being on the ball a lot so it will be an interesting game."

Swansea's road form has been disappointing, and they have taken just five of a possible 18 points in matches away from the Liberty Stadium. Their lone victory was a 2-1 win at Manchester United on the opening day of the season.

City have been boosted by news that captain Vincent Kompany has returned to training following a calf problem, but injured trio David Silva, Aleksandar Kolarov and Edin Dzeko all miss out.

Midfielder Jonjo Shelvey returns from suspension for Swansea, while Ashley Richards, Rory Donnelly and Federico Fernandez are all ruled out with injuries.

City did the league double over Swansea last term, scoring three goals in both games. They won 3-0 at home in December as Alvaro Negredo scored in the first half and Samir Nasri scored a second-half brace to secure the win. Swansea actually edged possession 51-49 but were outshot 22-9. Man City won 3-2 at the Liberty Stadium on New Year's Day thanks to goals from Fernandinho, Yaya Toure and Kompany. Wilfried Bony scored both goals for the Swans, netting in first and second-half stoppage time.