Roberto Mancini fears backlash from Chelsea after turbulent week

The Premier League leaders travel to Stamford Bridge to set Rafa Benitez his first test as Blues boss at the end of a tough week for the Londoners.

A Champions League thumping by Juventus, Roberto di Matteo's sacking and Benitez's appointment were followed by heavy criticism after the FA dismissed their allegations of racist abuse against ref Mark Clattenburg.

Mancini said today: "Usually when one team changes a manager the game after for the opponents is very difficult. For us, I think it is more difficult.

"Chelsea is a good team with di Matteo and will be a good team for Benitez. They have good players. Until three games ago they played fantastic football and were on the top."

Meanwhile, Benitez vowed to make an instant impact and claimed it took him just one training session to see where Chelsea could improve.

Benitez said he had talked to his players "about little things I saw and we could improve a bit, and things they were doing well, which Roberto di Matteo was doing."

He could hand a start to Fernando Torres, the striker he signed as Liverpool manager.

John Terry is still out and Frank Lampard is doubtful.

City captain Vincent Kompany is facing a fitness test after the defender suffered a knee injury in Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Real Madrid.

Striker Mario Balotelli has been training after being out for two games with a back injury.

Left-back Gael Clichy (ankle) is back in contention but right-back Micah Richards (knee) is still out.