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Played
December 21, 2011 7:45 PM GMT
Etihad Stadium — Manchester
Referee:‬ M. Dean‎
Attendance:‬ 46321‎
 
29′ Sergio Agüero
 
36′ Adam Johnson
 
54′ Sergio Agüero
 

Manchester City - Stoke City Preview: Roberto Mancini's men look to maintain proud home record in repeat of FA Cup final

The leaders have not lost a single game at the Etihad in the Premier League this season, and are on an undefeated run of 18 matches on their own turf in the division

By Adithya Ananth

More On :  Manchester City, Stoke City, Manchester City vs Stoke City

PROBABLE LINEUPS

MANCHESTER CITY

Hart
Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy
Milner, Toure, De Jong, Silva
Dzeko, Aguero
STOKE CITY

Sorensen
Shotton, Woodgate, Huth, Wilson
Pennant, Palacios, Whitehead, Etherington
Walters, Crouch
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini will be without the services of Aleksandar Kolarov as the full-back is sidelined with a groin injury and is not expected to return until the new year.

Micah Richards appeared to have picked up a knock during the recent victory over Arsenal, and Pablo Zabaleta could play at right-back if the Englishman is unable to make a full recovery.

Meanwhile, with games coming in quick succession, Edin Dzeko could be brought back into the starting line-up to keep things fresh.

Stoke City boss Tony Pulis will not be able to pick Ryan Shawcross as the defender is suspended for this game after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season in the win over Wolves. Ryan Shotton should therefore slot in at right-back with Jermaine Pennant taking his place on the right flank. Jonathan Woodgate would then partner Robert Huth in the centre of defence.

Meanwhile, Glenn Whelan and Andy Wilkinson are doubts with calf and knee injuries respectively.

 DID YOU KNOW?

  • Manchester City have not lost a single game at the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League this season. They remain undefeated in 18 consecutive home matches in the division.
  • Mancini's men have also scored the most number of goals in the league this campaign, hitting the back of the net 50 times so far.
  • That is 3.125 goals-per-game in the top flight. If they maintain that ratio, City will break Chelsea's record Premier League-era record of 103 goals in a season by getting to a total of 118.
  • In contrast, Stoke City have scored only 18 goals through the course of their league campaign so far. No team has scored fewer than they have in the current top 10.
  • The Potters have won their last four games in the league, and their last two away games. But prior to that, they had won only one league game in 16 matches away from the Britannia Stadium.
  • Stoke have a poor record against Manchester City, winning only two of their last 11 matches in all competitions. This also includes last season's FA Cup final, which Pulis' men lost 1-0 at Wembley.
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Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
  • Manchester City 3-0 Stoke City
    23.33 %
  • Manchester City 3-1 Stoke City
    12.14 %
  • Manchester City 2-0 Stoke City
    9.05 %
Head to Head
FA Cup ‎(FA)‎ 26 Jan 2013 Stoke City 0 - Manchester City 1
  • Player Ratings
  • Match Report
  • Play by Play
  • Preview
Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 1 Jan 2013 Manchester City 3 - Stoke City 0
  • Player Ratings
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  • Play by Play
  • Preview
Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 15 Sep 2012 Stoke City 1 - Manchester City 1
  • Player Ratings
  • Match Report
  • Play by Play
  • Preview
Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 24 Mar 2012 Stoke City 1 - Manchester City 1
  • Player Ratings
  • Match Report
  • Play by Play
  • Preview
Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 21 Dec 2011 Manchester City 3 - Stoke City 0
  • Player Ratings
  • Match Report
  • Play by Play
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Last Five Matches
Manchester City
19 May 2013Manchester City 2 - Norwich City 3EPL
14 May 2013Reading 0 - Manchester City 2EPL
11 May 2013Manchester City 0 - Wigan Athletic 1FA
7 May 2013Manchester City 1 - West Bromwich Albion 0EPL
4 May 2013Swansea City 0 - Manchester City 0EPL
Stoke City
19 May 2013Southampton 1 - Stoke City 1EPL
12 May 2013Stoke City 1 - Tottenham 2EPL
6 May 2013Sunderland 1 - Stoke City 1EPL
27 Apr 2013Stoke City 1 - Norwich City 0EPL
20 Apr 2013QPR 0 - Stoke City 2EPL
Odds
Returns: Manchester City £12.20 Bet365 Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Returns: Draw £360.00 WilliamHill Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Returns: Stoke City £710.00 WilliamHill Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Team News
Available Squads
1Joe HartGoalkeeper
2Micah RichardsDefender
4Vincent KompanyDefender
6Joleon LescottDefender
22Gael ClichyDefender
11Adam JohnsonMidfielder
18Gareth BarryMidfielder
8Samir NasriMidfielder
21David SilvaStriker
42Yaya Touré Midfielder
16Sergio AgüeroStriker
30Costel PantilimonGoalkeeper
5Pablo ZabaletaDefender
15Stefan SavicDefender
28Kolo ToureDefender
7James MilnerMidfielder
34Nigel De JongMidfielder
45Mario BalotelliStriker
29Thomas SørensenGoalkeeper
4Robert HuthDefender
12Marc WilsonDefender
35Matthew UpsonDefender
30Ryan ShottonDefender
8Jonathan WoodgateDefender
18Dean WhiteheadMidfielder
8W. PalaciosMidfielder
9Kenwyne JonesStriker
19Jonathan WaltersStriker
33Cameron JeromeStriker
1Asmir BegovicGoalkeeper
15Salif DiaoDefender
7Jermaine PennantMidfielder
24Rory DelapMidfielder
26Matthew EtheringtonMidfielder
8D. ArismendiMidfielder
10Ricardo FullerStriker
Players to Watch
David Silva
David Silva
Position: Striker
Squad Number: 21
Games Goals YC RC
32 4 2 0
The midfielder is a danger for any side in the league, and he will look forward to rubbing salt into the wounds of his critics by creating or scoring a goal against a team viewed as one of the more physical sides in the top flight.

The Spaniard leads the assists rankings with eight to his name.
Thomas Sørensen
Thomas Sørensen
Position: Goalkeeper
Squad Number: 29
Games Goals YC RC
0 0 0 0
The veteran goalkeeper will have his work cut out against the Premier League's most prolific side. Shawcross' suspension for this game will make his and Stoke's job even harder.
Prediction
Mancini's men have recovered from their defeat to Chelsea with a slender 1-0 victory over Arsenal, and will look to get back into the groove by registering a thumping win over the Potters.

Anything less than three points could raise questions as to whether they are running out of steam, but they have the quality to secure a strong win.
Editor's Prediction
Manchester City 2
Stoke City 0
Results
ALL MATCHES >>
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Robin van Persie Robin van Persie
Striker
Manchester 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

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