Man City v Stoke City

High Flying City take on Plucky Potters in Wednesday night showdown!

Vital Quotes:

Roberto Mancini – ‘We should play football very well, but against Stoke it is always very difficult,’ warned the Italian. ‘They are a very difficult team. It will be a tough game.’

Manchester City Team News:

Both Gael Clichy and Edin Dzeko are expected to return to the Manchester City squad tonight. Clichy has finished his suspension after being sent off at Stamford Bridge whereas Dzeko seems to have shaken off the injury he picked up in training. The side will be without Alexsandar Kolarov however who is nursing a groin injury. It is safe to say that stoke will need to be on their game to keep out high flying Manc City tonight!

Player to watch: Sergio Aguero

Sergio Aguero & Mario Belotelli are one’s to watch out for tonight. If RM decides to field both players it could be a tough one even for Stoke to keep them off the score sheet. The trickery of Aguero and defiance of Belotelli will be one to watch.

Stoke City Team News:

Sadly Ryan Shawcross is banned after picking up his latest yellow at Wolves while John Walters is a doubt having had a long run of games and picked up a couple of knocks. Peter Crouch is also looking for his 100th Premier League goal but his start is in doubt after fallign ill earlier this week. Meanwhile William Palacios is due to step in for the injured Glenn Whelan and Tommy Sorenson should pick up the gloves again in goal.

Player to watch: Robert Huth

One to watch is a hard one tonight. At times I feel its going to be backs to the wall and I feel if anything Robert Huth could be a busy boy. Lets not forget that he can pop up at set pieces and with him grabbing 2 goals recently do not rule out him making it 3!

Match Facts & Stats

Some interesting facts about tonights teams:

Stoke have conceded over three goals five times this season.

May this year Stoke lost 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium but still shared a 50% possession.

Recent meetings between the two teams have produced 10 goals for Man City and just 3 for Stoke.

Recent games have also produced a huge 18 cards ( 11 for Stoke and 7 for Man City)

Also one thing to remember is stoke could concede there third penalty in a row tonight, although not one penalty has been conceded between the two.

Ref Watch:

Mike Dean – Just one red card in 17 games this season.

Match Prediction:

I would like to be optimistic really about tonights game but in all honesty I think Man City will run out 4-1 winners. Aguero grabs 2, Lescott 1 and Belotelli the fourth with Jerome for stoke.