England - Premier League
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Played
January 1, 2013 3:00 PM GMT
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 FC, Stoke, Manchester City FC vs Stoke
  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 FC 3-1 Stoke
    12.26 %
  • Manchester City FC 3-0 Stoke
    9.89 %
  • Manchester City FC 2-0 Stoke
    9.26 %
Head to Head
England - FA Cup ‎(FA)‎ Jan 26, 2013 Stoke 0 - Manchester City FC 1
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England - Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ Jan 1, 2013 Manchester City FC 3 - Stoke 0
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England - Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ Sep 15, 2012 Stoke 1 - Manchester City FC 1
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England - Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ Mar 24, 2012 Stoke 1 - Manchester City FC 1
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England - Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ Dec 21, 2011 Manchester City FC 3 - Stoke 0
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Last Five Matches
Manchester City FC
May 19, 2013Manchester City FC 2 - Norwich City 3EPL
May 14, 2013Reading 0 - Manchester City FC 2EPL
May 11, 2013Manchester City FC 0 - Wigan Athletic 1FA
May 7, 2013Manchester City FC 1 - West Bromwich Albion 0EPL
May 4, 2013Swansea 0 - Manchester City FC 0EPL
Stoke
May 19, 2013Southampton 1 - Stoke 1EPL
May 12, 2013Stoke 1 - Tottenham 2EPL
May 6, 2013Sunderland 1 - Stoke 1EPL
Apr 27, 2013Stoke 1 - Norwich City 0EPL
Apr 20, 2013QPR 0 - Stoke 2EPL
Odds
Returns: Manchester City £13.33 PaddyPower Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets
Returns: Draw £710.00 WilliamHill Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Returns: Stoke City £2010.00 Bet365 Sign up with bet365 for a free bet 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
The reluctant super-sub became the main man against Norwich, starting the game and netting the first two goals early on to give Manchester City a priceless away win. The Bosnia and Herzegovina forward has scored eight goals in the league, which is one more than Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero despite starting from the bench more often than not. After a fine display at Carrow Road, the striker will surely be given another start, and will be eager to build on his tally to prove to Roberto Mancini he can lead the line regularly for the Premier League champions.
Ryan Shawcross
Ryan Shawcross
Position: Defender
Squad Number: 17
Games Goals YC RC
37 1 9 0
The no-nonsense centre-back has attracted the attention of Manchester United and even City themselves in recent months after his fine club performances earned him an England call-up. The 25-year-old is powerful in the air and confident on the ball, and he will need to be at his best to deny the champions on their home turf. If Shawcross plays well, Stoke usually play well, as shown by the side having the meanest defence in the Premier League. Tony Pulis will be relying on his captain to turn in a top display to lead the Potters to the points.
Prediction
Stoke have been scoring goals of late, with three against both Liverpool and Southampton in their last two games. The problem is that Manchester City are scoring too, with the champions netting four away at Norwich. They may be seven points behind league leaders Manchester United, but they will surely not be in as forgiving mood as Nigel Adkins' men were to the Potters on Boxing Day. Tony Pulis' team will have to call upon their impressive defence if they are to get anything at the Etihad Stadium, but it is difficult to look beyond Roberto Mancini's side taking the points here.
Editor's Prediction
Manchester City 3
Stoke City 1
Results
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Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Robin van Persie Robin van Persie
Striker
Man Utd. 		26 3
Luis Suárez Luis Suárez
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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