Preview: Stoke Vs Manchester City

Roberto Mancini's side travel to Staffordshire in search of its first clean sheet of the season, while an old England strike force could be re-kindled for the host.

 

By Ryan Benson

MORE ON :  Manchester City, Stoke, Stoke vs Manchester City

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

STOKE CITY BegovicWilkinson, Huth, Shawcross, Cameron Pennant, N'Zonzi, Adam, Kightly Crouch, Owen

MANCHESTER CITY    HartMaicon, Kompany, Lescott, Kolarov Yaya Toure, Garcia Nasri, Silva Tevez, Dzeko

When the champion visits, every manager hopes to have as many players available for selection as possible, and Tony Pulis has almost a full squad to pick from this weekend.

Matthew Etherington (hamstring) and Andy Wilkinson (concussion) were both considered doubts for the match, but Pulis confirmed they could play a part. Michael Owen, Steven N'Zonzi and Maurice Edu may make their debuts.

Jamie Ness (groin) is still ruled out after picking up a knock against Swindon Town in the League Cup, but after appearing for the reserves in midweek Mamady Sidibe could return from a similar injury.

Manchester City still has a few players ruled out, such as Jack Rodwell (knee), Pablo Zabaleta (hamstring) and Mario Balotelli (eye). Sergio Aguero (knee) will be touch-and-go until Saturday. However, Gareth Barry (lower abdomen) and Micah Richards (ankle) could return and, should they pass fitness tests, will likely start on the bench.

Roberto Mancini could also give debuts to his three deadline-day signings Matija Nastasic, Maicon and Javi Garcia with the latter two the most likely to start.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Manchester City is yet to keep a clean sheet this season and has conceded two goals in three of its four matches.

• Yaya Toure has so far averaged 99 passes per match this season, the best in the Premier League.

• Mancini's men have failed to win on each of their last five visits to the Britannia Stadium.

• Garcia, Nastasic and Maicon could all make debuts for the Premier League champion.

• In his last six matches against Stoke, Carlos Tevez has scored four goals.

• Stoke has won just one of its last 14 league matches.

• Owen (pictured right), Edu and N'Zonzi are also in line for their first Potters' appearances.

• Owen could line up alongside Peter Crouch once again. The last time the duo played together was a 3-0 England home win against Russia in 2007, with the former Manchester United man scoring twice.

• So far this season Stoke has allowed their opponents the fewest number of shots on target: seven

Saturday, September 15, 2012