Manchester, Nov 6: Manchester City need a miracle to survive in the UEFA Champions League this season. Firstly, they need to win against Ajax at home, then need other results in their favour to avoid elimination in the group stages.

Premier League giants look to bounce back in Europe

Can Roberto Mancini and Manchester City survive in Europe?

UEFA Champions League 2012-13 Group Stage Results

But City have home record on their side, having gone unbeaten at the Etihad for over a year, Ajax have their work out against the English champions. But the Dutch champions will be confident after beating their Match Day 3 opponents at the Amsterdam Arena.

City are currently last in group D with just one point and another loss could send them crashing out of the group stages for the second successive time.

For City, Micah Richards remains a long time absentee with a serious knee injury while Maicon is still sidelined due to an ankle injury. Pablo Zabaleta could start at right-back after returning to the bench.

James Milner will miss out along with centre-back Joleon Lescott while Spanish playmaker David Silva and Jack Rodwell are still ruled out.

Ajax are likely to retain the same XI which beat City 3-1 in the reverse fixture. Niklas Moisander returns to the team after domestic suspension.

Trivia:

*Manchester City have collected a single point in three games with one draw and two losses.

*Ajax beat Manchester City rivals Manchester United 2-1 last season at Old Trafford during the Europa League round of 32.

Probable Lineups:

Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Hart-Zabaleta, Kompany, Nastasic, Clichy-Yaya Toure, Barry-Nasri, Tevez, Balotelli-Aguero.

Ajax (4-3-3): Vermeer-Van Rhijn, Alderweireld, Moisander, Blind-Schone, Poulsen, De Jong-Sana, Eriksen, Babel.

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