Stoke vs Manchester City preview

Saturday December 5, 2015 12:45pm – Britannia Stadium

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Stoke City: LWWDL

Manchester City: WLDWD

Stoke City will attempt to get back to winning ways on Saturday lunchtime when they host table-toppers Manchester City at the Britannia Stadium in the Barclays Premier League.

Stoke still in good form

Stoke had lost just one game in eight when they made the trip north to face Sunderland last weekend. Despite losing that game by a 2-0 score-line, Mark Hughes men are still ranked fourth in the form table over the last eight matches. After falling away from home at the hands of a team that have spent most of the season in the relegation zone, they must now take on the league leaders at the Britannia Stadium.

The Potters have scored less goals than any team in the Premier League but also have one of the tightest defences. This safety-first approach produced some inconsistency during the early part of the season but more recently, Mark Hughes’s tactics have started to pay off. This weekend, the 12th-ranked team will be out to prove that last weekend’s result was just a blip in their recent revival.

Stoke are currently without Peter Crouch and Peter Odemwingie while Marc Muniesa remains a doubt.

City back to winning ways

After two games without a win, title favourites Manchester City returned to the top of the Barclays Premier League after securing a comfortable 3-1 win over a Southampton side that had previously been unbeaten on the road. The win was notable for an inspired performance from Belgian Kevin de Bruyne, who contributed a goal and two assists for the home side.

City’s last two away games have ended in goalless draws at Manchester united and Aston Villa, and prior to that, they went down by four goals to one at Tottenham. Their last away win came against Crystal Palace back in September.

The Citizens will have to make do without Jesus Navas, Fernando and Vincent Kompany but could welcome back Sergio Aguero, Joe Hart and Eliaquim Mangala.

Prediction

Stoke have won two of their last three at home, while City have not won any of their last three away games. In addition, the home side have recorded two more points than their opponents over the last eight games. Despite these statistics, Manchester City will start the game as clear favourites with the bookies. Stoke’s only previous draw at home came against second-placed Leicester and they are more than capable of holding the leaders to another stalemate. You can back the draw at 3/1with Betfair.