A victory for Mancini's side would give them a huge lift in the race for a Champions League slot.

City would go four points clear of Liverpool with the added bonus of having a game in hand.

Mancini is fully aware of the significance of the showdown as Tottenham and Aston Villa are waiting in the wings for any slip-ups.

It could be a pivotal moment in the Italian's season after he was drafted in to replace Mark Hughes.

However Mancini will be without three key players for this crucial game. Carlos Tevez is in Argentina dealing with a family matter, Patrick Vieira starts a three-match ban and there are fears Martin Petrov could be out for up to four weeks with a knee injury.

But that has not prevented a ripple of quiet confidence in the camp as they prepare to meet Benitez's inconsistent side.

Mancini said: "We want to win and so do they, so it will be difficult but more so for Liverpool.

"We are above them and they have to try to get past us. We have to be positive, if we can win, we will go further ahead of them so that's what we must try to do.

"We in a good position with 13 games to go and I hope that Sunday is a fantastic game for our supporters."

Liverpool have also had injury problems to deal with, not least of all regarding talismanic striker Fernando Torres.

But Mancini believes the former European champions still carry a huge threat despite a poor season by their standards.

The former Inter Milan coach feels that England midfielder Steven Gerrard has the ability to unlock any of the top sides in Europe

Mancini said: "Torres and Gerrard are great players but they have (Jamie) Carragher, (Dirk) Kuyt, (Javier) Mascherano, (Jose) Reina as well. That's not a bad squad to pick from.

"Gerrard is really respected throughout Europe, he has everything you would want in a player and we know we will have to work hard to deal with him.

"Liverpool are a good side, with some good players and a good manager that have lots of experience from many years in the Champions League and being near the top in England.

"They have some players out injured but it will still be tough for us because they have a lot of strengths."

Mancini will monitor Craig Bellamy's fitness ahead of the match and the Wales striker could come into contention following a knee injury.

That would be a major boost for City as Tevez is absent. However the club hope he might return on Monday.