TEAM NEWS: Mancini selects same eleven that defeated Manchester United at Wembley for Manchester City’s clash with Blackburn

Mario Balotelli – Manchester City (Getty Images)

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Roberto Mancini has rewarded his players who defeated Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final by naming an unchanged starting eleven for the trip to relegation-threatened Blackburn Rovers.

With top scorer Carlos Tevez still sidelined with a hamstring injury, Mario Balotelli has been given another chance to shine in the centre of a three-man strike-force, with January signing Edin Dzeko once again resigned to a place on the substitute’s bench.

Blackburn have made two changes to the side who lost 2-0 at Everton last weekend. Manager Steve Kean has swapped around his two strikers, bringing in Jason Roberts and Benjani for Roque Santa Cruz and Ruben Rochina with neither having scored this season.

Blackburn have not won in nine matches, but Kean has this week been told his job his safe no matter what happens this season. His team have been boosted by the failure of the other side’s around them to win this weekend and they will be looking to inflict further damage on a City side who haven’t won away in 2011 and in their last league match were stuffed 3-0 at Liverpool.

City, however, have had a nine day gap since their last match and a win tonight will see them go four points clear of nearest rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the battle for the final Champions League spot.

Manchester City: Hart; Zabaleta, Kolarov, Kompany, Lescott; De Jong, Barry, Yaya Toure; David Silva, Adam Johnson, Balotelli. Subs: Milner, Wright-Phillips, Dzeko, Taylor, Vieira, Jo, Boyata

Blackburn Rovers: Robinson; Salgado, P.Jones, Samba, Givet; Emerton, Dunn, J.Jones, Olsson; Benjani, Roberts. Subs: Kalinic, Formica, Rochina, Gamst Pedersen, Bunn, Hanley, Diouf