Stoke v MAN CITY: The PREVIEW – City’s Probable Team
14 Sep
After the distraction of international football comes the resumption of the Premier League and a challenging fixture for the Blues. A trip to the Britannia Stadium to face Stoke is, as has become the cliché, a real test of a side’s credentials and Roberto Mancini has spoken of his delight at this fixture coming now, rather than later in the season when it might have a more meaningful impact on the title race.
It is a ground where City have not had too much success recently, with Stoke proving a perennially tough test for City but the Blues are in far better form, having won eight of our past nine Premier League matches, whilst the Potters have recorded six draws from their previous seven games stretching to last season.
Stoke’s style of football is often criticised, but although it is an eyesore and must be frustrating to have to watch every week, it is successful and needs to be combated. The contrast in styles is highlighted by the fact Yaya Toure has averaged 99 passes per game so far this season (a league high) but no single Stoke player has yet to make 99 passes in total. It will be a challenge to overcome but we have the confidence, self-belief and quality of player to reign victorious.
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In terms of team selection, the four deadline day signings are all available, though whether Mancini bloods them immediately remains to be seen. I’d expect the Blues to line up in a 3-4-1-2 formation, with Pablo Zabaleta, Vincent Kompany and Joleon Lescott as the centre-backs, Aleks Kolarov on the left and either Maicon or James Milner on the right. Javi Garcia is not the sort of player to shirk a physical battle so he may well be handed his debut alongside Yaya, with Jack Rodwell also in contention.
Further forward, Sergio Aguero is recovering well from his knee injury and may be on the bench with the Real Madrid game in mind, but Mario Balotelli is available after eye surgery. Edin Dzeko scored four goals in two Bosnia matches over the break and I’d be surprised if he wasn’t named in the starting line-up.
Here is the side Mancini could select:
Stoke strengthened well in the summer window, adding the likes of Maurica Edu and Steven N’Zonzi in the last week of August, plus Charlie Adam from Liverpool, a player who will fit the thuggish style of player well. He has excellent ability on the ball but is fond of a rash tackle or two, an attribute which should ingratiate him to Stoke’s fans. Michael Owen joined as a free agent after the deadline and has a penchant for scoring against City but he’s lacking in match fitness, so expect any impact to be made from the bench.
Referee: Mark Clattenburg – An official who rather enjoys being the centre of attention. Regarded highly but expect a controversial decision.
Prediction: Stoke 1 – 2 MAN CITY – We always face a tough game at the Britannia Stadium but we have far superior quality of individual and if we can match Stoke’s fighting spirit, we should be fine. Goals to be scored by Jon Walters, Edin Dzeko and Carlos Tévez.
A good analysis, can’t fault it.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Maicon get his debut with Zabs so recently injured. I can’t think that any player will get a debut in the Bernabéu, and two games in 3 days after a hamstring problem could be a trip too far for Zabs.
Rodwell is back in training but scarcely 100% and this looks purpose made for Garcia.
I see you have gone for resting David Silva and again I agree. This game cries out for both of our in form fit strikers, so one of the playmakers has to be rested. Samir has been effective, David less so, and the break before the RM game should do him good. Both playmakers are likely to be needed for that match.
If Rodwell is fit, I would prefer Garcia to be eased into first team in a less physical fixture. I totally agree to have Silva on the bench at least for the first 60 minutes of the game till there is less steam in Stoke ;otherwise, our little Merlin may get hurt due to Stoke’s thuggish style of play. Due to the fact that Kolarov fails to track his man more often than not when it comes defending, I see some vulnerability on the left side when he is paired with slow-paced Lescott. I would prefer Clichy over him or a faster paced Left CB instead of Lescott. An at this moment our only option is Nastasic but not sure how reliable he is. So I stick with Clichy in place of Kolarov!
you can’t just select a team for Stoke without selecting one for Real too; Mancini is sure to want to rest some players for one or the other. So, what’s your team for Real?
I think the team against Real could be: Hart – Maicon/Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy – Garcia, Yaya – Nasri, Silva – Aguero, Tévez.
I agree with thye formation but I think the only change we’ll be to replace Zab with Maicon. Looking forward to watching Garcia. Must not take this game lightly…a win is imperative !