Date: Saturday, September 14 Venue: Britannia Stadium Kick-off Time: 15:00 Can Manchester City record their first ever victory at the Britannia Stadium this weekend?
Team News
Stoke manager Mark Hughes could hand a debut to former Manchester City star Stephen Ireland on Saturday, who arrived on a season-long loan from Aston Villa on transfer deadline day. The Potters boss has virtually a fully-fit squad to select from, though midfielder Charlie Adam is a slight doubt having picked up a knock. City meanwhile do not have the same luxury, with manager Manuel Pellegrini again set to be without Vincent Kompany, as well as new signing Martin Demichelis. Micah Richards remains out with an ankle problem while David Silva is a doubt having injured his thigh on international duty with Spain. Striker Stevan Jovetic could be handed a debut, however. (Goal.com)
Key Stats
City have just four points to their name in five visits to the Britannia Stadium since 2008, with the last four meetings all ending in 1-1 draws. Both sides go into this clash under new management, with Manuel Pellegrini having taken the reins at the Etihad Stadium from Roberto Mancini, and former City boss Mark Hughes replacing Tony Pulis at Stoke. Hughes spent 18 months at the helm at City between June 2008 and December 2009, but has lost as an opposing manager in three of his four meetings against his former employers.
Likely Line-Ups
Stoke City Begovic, Shawcross, Huth, Wilson, Pieters, Adam, Pennant, Etherington, Walters, Ireland, Crouch Man City Hart, Zabaleta, Lescott, Nastasic, Kolarov, Fernandinho, Milner, Toure, Navas, Negredo, Jovetic Stoke manager Mark Hughes will play host to his former employers as Manchester City visit the Britannia Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday. The Potters have started the campaign in surprisingly good form this season and, despite losing to Liverpool on the opening day, (cruelly, some might add) have picked up six points from their following two games. Victories have come against Crystal Palace and West Ham, but their mini-resurgence will be put to the test against last season's runners up at the weekend. City are sitting third in the table having seen off Newcastle and Hull and will be looking to continue their assault on top place with another win here. However, they will have to reverse a worrying trend of results against their opponents if they are to do that. The Citizens have never won away to Stoke, with the last four meetings between the two sides all ending in 1-1 draws. Pellegrini will also be without a host of key players, such as Kompany and possibly Silva, making his task all the more difficult against a dogged opponent this weekend. If you are looking for tickets to an upcoming Premier League fixture, visit StubHub for the very latest availability.
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
