Stoke v MAN CITY: The PREVIEW – City’s Probable Team

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There’s nothing quite like a trip to Stoke to test your title credentials, and following the dramatic victory against Chelsea just a couple of days ago, another three points at the Britannia is essential if our efforts on Wednesday are not to go to waste. The opportunity has presented itself to once again return to the top of the Premier League, albeit due to playing before Manchester United, so the chance is there to pile the pressure on our local rivals.

That, however, will not be the easiest of tasks. Our recent record on our travels is less than impressive and Stoke have been a source of regular disappointment (save for the FA Cup final) during Roberto Mancini’s tenure, especially at their ground. We have not been victorious at the Britannia since the Potters were promoted in 2006, whilst they have secured two wins, without conceding a goal, in their past couple of home fixtures.

With regards to team selection, Vincent Kompany has tweeted that this match has come too soon in terms of his recovery from injury, so he will be sidelined alongside Joleon Lescott. Mancini is notoriously fond of rotating his fullbacks, so Aleks Kolarov could replace Gael Clichy, but Micah Richards looks set to continue in central defence alongside Kolo Touré.

Gareth Barry, whose presence in the second half against Chelsea gave us added solidity, could well start this game, but David Silva is likely to be on the bench. His form recently has been well below-par and with him carrying an ankle injury, a rest may prove beneficial. Carlos Tévez is not yet ready to play from the off and Mario Balotelli could be dropped following his very average display on Wednesday, so Edin Dzeko, whose extra height would be of great use, is a candidate to lead the line.

Here is the side Mancini could select:

For Stoke, mercurial striker Ricardo Fuller is suspended, but Matty Etherington has recovered from an ankle knock and is available for selection. In the attacking department, Jon Walters is likely to partner Peter Crouch, so our defence certainly have a challenge on their hands to combat that forward duo.

Referee: Howard Webb – Regarded as the top of official in the Premier League, if not the world. Has refereed three City fixtures so far this season and we’ve won them all: 2-0 at home to Everton, 5-1 at home to Norwich and 3-2 at home to Spurs, in which Webb missed Balotelli’s stamp on Scott Parker and then (correctly) awarded us a 93rd minute penalty!

Prediction: Stoke 1 – 1 MAN CITY – I can’t decide whether I think we’ll just edge it by the odd goal in three, or whether it will be a frustrating draw. I’ve gone for the latter as I predicted we would draw with Chelsea, so I’m hoping for the same outcome! Goals to be scored by Peter Crouch and Sergio Aguero.

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