Team News
Samir Nasri is suspended for Manchester City after receiving a red card against Norwich. Maicon is out due to a knee injury. Mario Balotelli is doubtful due to illness. Aleksandar Kolarov has a thigh injury while Jack Rodwell has a hamstring problem. Micah Richards is out until February with a knee injury.
Steven N’Zonzi is suspended for Stoke City after his red card against Southampton during the weekend. Rory Delap is currently dealing with inguinal hernia. Marc Wilson is out due to a broken leg.
Analysis
Stoke’s Tony Pulis has largely used only one strategy this season. His team usually sits back and defends. They play on the counter-attack. They utilize set pieces and throws to the best of their abilities. They do not tend to concede too many goals. However, surprisingly, they played out a 3-3 draw against Southampton at the weekend. The match was entertaining; that can rarely ever be said about Stoke’s matches.
Roberto Mancini is yet to find his team’s best strategy. They can attack magnificently though without a doubt even though they looked rather lost against Sunderland at times last week. At the weekend, they beat Norwich, 3-4. However, the defending champions should not concede three goals. They have to keep winning to catch up to United. Stoke, however, will not make matters easy for them.
Previous Meetings
Stoke 1-1 Manchester City
Stoke 1-1 Manchester City
Manchester City 3-0 Stoke
Manchester City 3-0 Stoke
Manchester City 1-0 Stoke
Previous Matches
Norwich 3-4 Manchester City
Sunderland 1-0 Manchester City
Manchester City 1-0 Reading
Newcastle 1-3 Manchester City
Manchester City 2-3 Manchester United
Stoke 3-3 Southampton
Stoke 3-1 Liverpool
Tottenham 0-0 Stoke
Stoke 1-1 Everton
Aston Villa 0-0 Stoke
Prediction
Manchester City 1-0 Stoke
