1. Etherington v Zabaleta
Matthew Etherington and Pablo Zabaleta are both experienced enough to know what to expect from each other in Saturday's game. Etherington and Zabaleta are accomplished Premier League players and with a combined 775 senior career appearances between them. (418 and 357 respectively) Pablo Zabaleta is probably the most talked about 'unsung hero' in the short history of the Premiership. I'm not complaining though, because he definitely deserves it. The reliable right-back was a consistent performer in the inconsistent Manchester City side of last season and it showed as he scooped up the club's Player of the Year award. Matthew Etherington is a tricky, pacey winger who could cause Zabaleta problems. It is understandable to expect Stoke to be under the cosh for periods of the game but if they can force the odd counter-attack they need to look to get Etherington on the ball. He'll look to get the ball into the box as much as possible in the hope that the likes of Kenwyne Jones and Peter Crouch are able to get on the end of them. Zabaleta has made an impressive start to the new Premiership season and I believe it could be difficult for Etherington to catch him out, but if he can, all it takes is the right cross for a goal. With Special Thanks to Alex Caine. (
@mcfc_alex)