Sunday links: Football is back

City kick off their 2012/13 season later today when they take on Chelsea in the annual curtain raiser to the league season.

Check in later for the game thread and rest of the match coverage here on the blog but for now grab a coffee and check out some of the best links from the weekends news:

• Roberto Mancini fully expects Chelsea to challenge for the title this season. [The Telegraph]
• But does concede that United are perhaps the favourites. Early mind games? [MEN]
• Paul Wilson seemingly thinks so. [Observer]
• Joe Hart is out of todays game (and England's midweek friendly) with a back injury. [Express]
• View From a Blue suggests that with injuries to certain players we could be set to see the 3-5-2 today. [VFAB]
• Chris Bascombe writes about Roberto Mancini's battle for control. [Telegraph]
• In transfer news, could Jack Rodwell be on City's radar? [Sky Sports]
• And finally, Mancini hinted that Mario Balotelli was the subject of several bids over the summer. [Mail]