Roberto Mancini has already conceded the Premier League title to Chelsea.

Mancini's Manchester City side tackle the champions at Eastlands on Saturday with a patched-up side containing just three fully-fit senior defenders.

It is hardly the backdrop he wanted heading into one of the key games of the campaign, and not one that was anticipated when City were spending in excess of £100 million this summer.

However, according to Mancini, the result will not change where the championship ends up this season.

"Chelsea are the best team in the Premier League at the moment," he said.

"They are probably going to win the Premier League title easily."

He added: "They are a strong team, who have been playing together for many years.

"They have a fantastic manager and they have worked to reach this situation."

Chelsea certainly could not have started the season in better form and have registered a perfect 15 points from their opening five games, scoring a hatful of goals in the process.

Now City must try to keep them out with a side that has been decimated.

Micah Richards has definitely been ruled out with a hamstring strain, so with Pablo Zabaleta earmarked for the right-back role, Mancini only has youngster Dedryck Boyata, plus midfielders Gareth Barry and James Milner available to fill the left-back slot if neither Joleon Lescott or Jerome Boateng are deemed to be fit enough.