Man City vs Stoke live: Watch Citizens post-Barcelona loss

Man City vs Stoke live: Watch Citizens post-Barcelona loss - Feb 22, 2014

Topics: Live Stream, TV Schedules, Live Scores, Manchester City, Stoke City, English Premier League

Having suffered a 2-0 loss at the hands of Barcelona in the Champions League, City will be hoping to turn things around in the Premier League as they invite Stoke City to the Etihad Stadium.

Preview: City hoping to gain momentum in title race

Last time the Citizens played in the Premier League was two weeks back when they bored a 0-0 stalemate against Norwich City. Since then the Etihad side has had a league encounter against Sunderland postponed due to adverse weather conditions and now see themselves trailing Chelsea by three points. If Pellegrini's men succeed in winning both their match tonight as well as the match in hand, they can displace Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea from the top of the table having a much superior goal difference.

However for that to happen City must try to get the result against Barcelona on Tuesday out of their minds. The Citizens produced a determined performance against the European giants but were unlucky to have defender Martin Demichelis sent off early in the game. Even though City looked a dangerous side after the Argentinean’s dismissal, they conceded a late goal courtesy of a Dani Alves strike which leaves the Citizens trailing by two goals as they prepare for the away fixture at Camp Nou.

The aftermath of the match saw City manager Manuel Pellegrini hitting out at Swedish match official Jonas Eriksson, but after being warned of his actions by UEFA he has apologised for his remarks and also made some clarifications.

“When you lose a game the way we lost against Barcelona, you are frustrated, you are angry,” Pellegrini said.

“Maybe I said some things I didn’t mean in that way so I apologise for what I said.”

“Also I want to clarify what I said: I didn’t make any serious accusations about anyone, not about the referee, not about UEFA, not about anyone. I said the referee decided the match because he decided the match. He didn’t give us a foul against Navas and after came the penalty against Martin Demichelis and we had a player sent off.”

UEFA has appointed a disciplinary inspector who will now look into the matter and Pellegrini’s fate will be decided soon, until then the Chilean should make sure his team does not lose ground in the title race.

To their advantage, City enjoy a fine record against their opponents on Saturday. The Etihad side have won their last three home games against Stoke without conceding a goal and are also unbeaten in nine games against the Potters in all competitions. In fact last time Stoke got the better of City, was back in 1997 when they raced to a 1-0 victory over their counterparts at Maine Road.

However Man City are on a two game winless run after drawing to Norwich and losing to Chelsea in their last two outings and will be hoping to end tonight’s match with three points in the bag. They will take confidence from an impressive 2-0 victory over Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea in the FA Cup which came just 12 days after their defeat at the Etihad to the Blues.

Their defeat against Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium was only their first home defeat of the league this season and Pellegrini's men will be hoping to once again show their dominance at the Etihad with a powerful victory over Stoke.

The match will also see former City manager Mark Hughes make a return to the Etihad. The former Man United player who is now in charge of Stoke City has had a disappointing campaign so far with his side just three points shy of a relegation spot.

The Welsh international will have history against him with the Potters having never won at the Etihad. Stoke will also be without winger Oussama Assaidi who has been ruled out for up to six weeks with a knee injury. Whereas striker John Guidetti who is on loan from Man City will be ineligible against his parent club. However there is also some positive news on the injury for Stoke City with both Andy Wilkinson and Matthew Etherington available for selection.

Man City on the other hand might welcome striker Sergio Aguero back to the squad but a late fitness test will determine his inclusion in the squad. Matija Nastasic has also recovered from his knee problem and is likely to replace Demichelis at the heart of defence.