Competition: English Premier League 2016-17
Date: Wednesday, 8th March, 20:00 GMT
Stadium: Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City vs Stoke City Preview and Prediction
Manchester City have the bit between their teeth again as they target glory on three fronts and can notch up another Premier League success at home to Stoke City.
This is the match that was scheduled to be played this coming weekend but has been brought forward because Manchester City are contesting an FA Cup quarter-final away to Middlesbrough, while it gives Stoke a 10-day break before their next game at home to Chelsea.
By shortly after 2pm on Saturday, Pep Guardiola will be hoping his side are up to second in the Premier League and into the FA Cup semi-finals, and then they can turn their attention to booking a place in the last eight of the Champions League when they visit Monaco on Wednesday leading 5-3 from the first leg.
It’s a busy time for the blues but they still have a very remote chance of emulating their neighbours Manchester United’s Treble feat of 1999. Before Chelsea’s match against West Ham on Monday it was a 300/1 chance with BetVictor for City to win all of the three top trophies.
David Silva (right) of Manchester City in action against Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League (Getty Images)
In the league, second place looks much more achievable though and City will go two points above Tottenham, with the same number of games played, if they beat Stoke.
And you have to say that looks a very likely proposition because the blues have won seven of their last eight games, the exception being their FA Cup tie at Huddersfield which was drawn 0-0, and all bar one of them with at least one goal to spare.
We have said several times when previewing Stoke matches that Mark Hughes’ side generally do what you expect of them these days rather than springing surprises – they beat the opponents they are expected to beat and rarely take points off the top sides.
Hence the Potters are in their customary ninth place in the table, where they will remain regardless of this result, and defeat at the Etihad would be in keeping with their current pattern.
MANCHESTER CITY TEAM NEWS
Vincent Kompany is doubtful again with a muscular injury, whilst Gabriel Jesus and Ikay Gundogan are definitely sidelined.
STOKE TEAM NEWS
Glen Johnson and Marco Arnautovic face late fitness tests for this one, whilst Bruno Martins Indi, Jack Butland, and Stephen Ireland are unlikely to take part.
Manchester City vs Stoke City stats
Manchester City have scored four goals in each of their last three victories against Stoke
A clean sheet has been kept in all of the last eight league meetings of these clubs at the Etihad Stadium
Manchester City have scored 20 goals in their last seven home matches
Recommended bets
Manchester City to win and over 3.5 goals in the match
Both teams to score
