The Potters welcome the reigning champions to the Britannia, where they have managed to keep them at bay in six games.
Stoke City:
Under the tutelage of Tony Pulis, the club has become a regular feature in the Premiership table and placed the icing on their resurgence with a run in Europe last time out.
The glamour of the UEFA Europa League has seemingly spurred them on, as they have started the campaign unbeaten, although three draws is not something Pulis would want to have.
Nonetheless with an influx of new players, the tactician can hope to match the Etihad giants step-for-step and come out with a positive result at home.
Manchester City:
City scooped up the title from Old Trafford last term and have started well this time as well, earning two wins from a possible three.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Roberto-c31294 Mancini further strengthening his talented squad, the team could finally secure a win in Stoke-on-Trent.
Team News:
Stoke City:
The hosts will be lucky to have a full fit squad for this one and could see the return of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Tony-c35440 Pulis could be ready in time for the
pivotal tie.
Stoke have signed some quality names in the last dash of the transfer window, with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Maurice-Edu-c24896 now on their books. And after the reckoning of the International break, all three could feature against Manchester City today.
The only casualty is Jamie Ness, who was taken to the treatment table after suffering a knock in the Swindon Town game. But there is also good news on the horizon, as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mamady-Sidibe-c23298 played for the reserves and could be in line for a role on the bench for
this one.
Pulis will be spoilt for choice in certain areas of the pitch, but the prospect of Owen and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Peter-Crouch-c29741 featuring side by side against the title holders will be an interesting proposition for the Stoke faithful as well as the neutrals.
Manchester City:
Mancini’s relative summer spending was quickly changed in the start of September, with the Italian clinching the signatures of Javi Garcia, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Maicon-c23157 and Matija Nastasic. The trio are in line to make their debuts and could possibly start if the manager has
his way.
However, injury concerns will cause an unwanted headache for the City boss, as some influential stars are currently recuperating on the sidelines.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Sergio-c33030 Aguero (knee) are all out with their own worries, although the Argentine striker could make the bench if fit.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Micah-Richards-c25259 on the other hand will be given playing time if they manage to prove their fitness in time for the Saturday kick-off.
Man City have never beaten Stoke at home and it’s easy to see why with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mancini-c23323 claiming that the club was one of the toughest opponents in the League.
"We need to think only about Stoke because we never win there - it is a difficult pitch - but it is better we have this game now than the end, like last year. Stoke is one of the worst [grounds] in the Premier League because it is very difficult to play
there. They are a strong team."
"For us, it is very difficult, but not only for us, for all the teams. It is important we try to play football like we do. They are very strong, they are tall, but with this kind of football they stay always in the Premier League. For them, this is important.
They have good players with experience,” he said.
Key Players:
Stoke City: Peter Crouch
The influential marksman netted a goal to savour the last time these two sides met and will be hoping to make a similar impact today.
Manchester City: Javi Garcia
The new boy should feature alongside Yaya Toure in the middle of the park and needs to keep track of the physical game, otherwise his side will surely be on the losing end of things.
Prediction:
Stoke City 2-2 Manchester City
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