Played
January 2, 2013 2:00 AM EST
Etihad Stadium — Manchester
Referee:‬ M. Oliver‎
Attendance:‬ 47192‎
 
43′ Pablo Zabaleta
 
56′ Edin Dzeko
 
74′ (PG) Sergio Agüero
 

Manchester City - Stoke Preview: Mancini's men set for stern test against in-form Potters

The Premier League champions are seven points adrift of league leaders Manchester United, but last season's heroics will give them belief against Tony Pulis' free-scoring side

By Tom J Doyle

More On :  Manchester City, Stoke City, Manchester City vs Stoke City
Roberto Mancini
Getty Images
  PROBABLE LINEUPS

MANCHESTER CITY

Hart
Zabaleta, Kompany, Nastasic, Clichy
Milner, Garcia, Yaya Toure, Silva
Dzeko, Aguero
STOKE

Begovic
Cameron, Huth, Shawcross, Wilkinson
Whelan, Adam
Kightly, Walters, Etherington
Jones

Aleksandar Kolarov (groin), Maicon (knee) and Jack Rodwell (hamstring) are all set to miss out again for the hosts as they have no set return dates from their respective injuries.

Samir Nasri will begin his ban for the straight red card he received in the 4-3 win away to Norwich, while Micah Richards (knee) is out until at least February.

Mario Balotelli may have recovered from illness in time to make the matchday squad, but it is doubtful the Italian will start the game against the Potters.

Rory Delap (hernia) and Marc Wilson (broken leg) are out for Stoke, while Steven N'Zonzi is serving a ban for his red card against Southampton in the 3-3 Boxing Day draw.

That means that Charlie Adam is likely to partner Glenn Whelan in midfield, while Geoff Cameron could return at right-back ahead of Ryan Shotton after serving a suspension for accruing five yellow cards.

  DID YOU KNOW?
  • The last two Premier League clashes between the sides have ended 1-1 - however, Manchester City have won the last two league games at the Etihad Stadium 3-0.
  • City have only failed to score in three of their 20 Premier League games this season.
  • Roberto Mancini's men had a fairly disastrous December, losing three times in all competitions and drawing once, but still won three Premier League games.
  • City have kept just one clean sheet in seven games, beating Reading 1-0 at home.
  • Edin Dzeko (pictured right) has eight Premier League goals after his double against Norwich, which is one more than both Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez having played fewer minutes than the pair.
  • Stoke have conceded the fewest goals in the Premier League this season, letting in just 17 in 20 games.
  • Stoke have kept clean sheets in their last three away games - against West Brom (1-0), Aston Villa (0-0) and Tottenham (0-0).
  • In nine Premier League meetings between the sides, City have never won away at Stoke, and the Potters have never won away at City.
  • The Potters are unbeaten in 10 league games, picking up 20 points from a possible 30.
  • Conceding three goals against Southampton was the first time Stoke have let in more than one goal since losing 4-2 to Manchester United on October 20.

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Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
  • Manchester City 3-1 Stoke City
    12.26 %
  • Manchester City 3-0 Stoke City
    9.89 %
  • Manchester City 2-0 Stoke City
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Head to Head
England - FA Cup ‎(FA)‎ 26/01/2013 Stoke City 0 - Manchester City 1
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England - Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 02/01/2013 Manchester City 3 - Stoke City 0
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England - Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 16/09/2012 Stoke City 1 - Manchester City 1
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England - Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 25/03/2012 Stoke City 1 - Manchester City 1
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England - Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 22/12/2011 Manchester City 3 - Stoke City 0
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Last Five Matches
Manchester City
26/05/2013Manchester City 5 - Chelsea FC 3FR
24/05/2013Chelsea FC 3 - Manchester City 4FR
20/05/2013Manchester City 2 - Norwich City 3EPL
15/05/2013Reading 0 - Manchester City 2EPL
12/05/2013Manchester City 0 - Wigan Athletic 1FA
Stoke City
20/05/2013Southampton 1 - Stoke City 1EPL
12/05/2013Stoke City 1 - Tottenham 2EPL
07/05/2013Sunderland 1 - Stoke City 1EPL
28/04/2013Stoke City 1 - Norwich City 0EPL
21/04/2013QPR 0 - Stoke City 2EPL
Odds
Returns: Man City $0.00 Betfair 100% first deposit bonus up to $200
Returns: Draw $0.00 Betfair 100% first deposit bonus up to $200
Returns: Stoke City $0.00 Betfair 100% first deposit bonus up to $200
Team News
Available Squads
1Joe HartGoalkeeper
4Vincent KompanyDefender
5Pablo ZabaletaDefender
6Joleon LescottDefender
22Gael ClichyDefender
7James MilnerMidfielder
18Gareth BarryMidfielder
21David SilvaStriker
42Yaya Touré Midfielder
10Edin DzekoStriker
16Sergio AgüeroStriker
30Costel PantilimonGoalkeeper
28Kolo ToureDefender
33Matija NastasicDefender
11Scott Sinclair Midfielder
14Javi GarcíaMidfielder
62Abdul RazakMidfielder
32Carlos TévezStriker
1Asmir BegovicGoalkeeper
2Geoff CameronMidfielder
4Robert HuthDefender
17Ryan ShawcrossDefender
28Andy WilkinsonDefender
6Glenn WhelanMidfielder
15Steven N'ZonziMidfielder
16Charlie AdamMidfielder
9Kenwyne JonesStriker
19Jonathan WaltersStriker
33Cameron JeromeStriker
29Thomas SørensenGoalkeeper
35Matthew UpsonDefender
30Ryan ShottonDefender
18Dean WhiteheadMidfielder
21Michael KightlyMidfielder
26Matthew EtheringtonMidfielder
25Peter CrouchStriker
Players to Watch
Edin Dzeko
Edin Dzeko
Position: Striker
Squad Number: 10
Games Goals YC RC
32 14 4 0
Ryan Shawcross
Ryan Shawcross
Position: Defender
Squad Number: 17
Games Goals YC RC
37 1 9 0
Results
ALL MATCHES >>
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Robin van Persie Robin van Persie
Striker
Man. United 		26 3
Luis Suárez Luis Suárez
Striker
Liverpool 		23 0
Gareth Bale Gareth Bale
Midfielder
Tottenham 		21 0
C. Benteke C. Benteke
Striker
Aston Villa 		19 3
Michu Michu
Midfielder
Swansea City 		19 0