Manchester City vs. Stoke: Team News, Live Stream, TV Info, Ticket News
After the disappointing draw with Newcastle United on Tuesday, Manchester City will look to get back to winning ways when they take on Stoke City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
City had been in fine form, beating West Bromwich Albion comfortably, easing past Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-finals and battering Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Tuesday's result has halted their momentum somewhat.
They will feel they owe Stoke a hiding after the 2-0 defeat they suffered at the hands of Mark Hughes' side back in December. Stoke were superb that day, with City struggling to get a foothold in the game at any stage. If they win on Saturday, it'll be their first league double over City since the 1980-81 season.
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Stoke also won the corresponding fixture last season, beating City 1-0 with a superb counter-attacking goal scored by Mame Biram Diouf.
City manager Manuel Pellegrini insists he isn't prioritising City's Champions League campaign. “For big teams you cannot choose one competition," he said.
“For some reason big clubs can be knocked out. It’s important not to leave one competition.
“We’re in the semi final, but that doesn’t mean we’re not worried about the Premier League."
Date: Saturday, 23 April
Kick-off: 12:45 p.m. BST/7:45 a.m. ET
TV Listings: Sky Sports 1/HD (UK) & NBC Sports Live Extra
Live Stream: Sky Go (UK)
".@pablo_zabaleta
— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) April 22, 2016"
could play game #300 for City this weekend - here are his best memories...https://t.co/rUkHanZXeG pic.twitter.com/mTAOzXZmLZ
Form Guide
Manchester City
Newcastle United 1-1 Manchester City
Chelsea 0-3 Manchester City
Manchester City 1-0 Paris Saint-Germain (Champions League)
Manchester City 2-1 West Bromwich Albion
Paris Saint-Germain 2-2 Manchester City (Champions League)
"They're all beauties! Check out our Golden Goals against @stokecity... #cityvstoke #mcfc #CMONCITY https://t.co/vlpAmhUmZU
— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) April 22, 2016"
Stoke City
Stoke City 0-4 Tottenham Hotspur
Liverpool 4-1 Stoke City
Stoke City 2-2 Swansea City
Watford 1-2 Stoke City
Stoke City 1-2 Southampton
Predicted Formations
Manchester City
City's only absentee is Samir Nasri. David Silva is still suffering from ankle pain and may be rested with Tuesday's game against Real Madrid in mind.
Manchester City (from): Caballero, Hart, Wright, Clichy, Demichelis, Kolarov, Kompany, Mangala, Otamendi, Sagna, Zabaleta, De Bruyne, Delph, Fernandinho, Fernando, Nasri, Navas, Silva, Toure, A Garcia, M Garcia, Aguero, Bony, Iheanacho, Sterling, Celina.
Predicted XI: Hart; Sagna, Kompany, Mangala, Clichy; Fernando, Fernandinho, Toure; Navas, De Bruyne, Aguero.
Stoke City
Xherdan Shaqiri is out, having gone off with a tight hamstring against Spurs, while Glen Johnson and Marc Wilson (both knee) are out.
Stoke City (from): Given, Haugaard, Bardsley, Cameron, Muniesa, Shawcross, Teixeira, Wollscheid, Adam, Afellay, Imbula, Ireland, Shenton, Whelan, Arnautovic, Bojan, Crouch, Diouf, Joselu.
Predicted XI: Given; Cameron, Shawcross, Wollscheid, Muniesa; Imbula, Whelan; Krkic, Afellay, Arnautovic; Diouf.
Players To Watch
Manchester City: Kevin De Bruyne
The impact Kevin De Bruyne has had since his return has been special. The Belgian has scored three goals in six games and looked like one of the most complete players in the game in the process.
His passing is perhaps his greatest strength, but he can break at pace, shoot from distance and has a wonderful appreciation of space.
He's a tremendous player and a bargain at £54 million.
Stoke City: Bojan Krkic
Mark Hughes has attempted to make Stoke a far more attacking and attractive side during his time in charge. Central to that transition has been former Barcelona man Bojan Krkic.
He has great feet and wonderful balance—capable of beating players with ease and creating space for others.
He was a key element to their win over City earlier in the season and needs to be stopped.
Ticket Information
For ticket information on all Premier League games, visit the official site or go to the ticket page on the home club's official website.
Odds
Manchester City: -270
Stoke City: +776
Draw: +347
Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2015/16 season. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @RobPollard.
