MAN CITY v Stoke – The PREVIEW: City’s Probable Team
31 Dec
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Maicon, Aleks Kolarov and Micah Richards are still sidelined through injury, but Joleon Lescott is a possibility to partner Vincent Kompany in the heart of the City backline. His height and physicality could be useful against a notoriously powerful Stoke side, whilst Javi Garcia could be introduced in midfield for much the same reason.
Samir Nasri is suspended after City decided against appealing his sending off at the weekend, so there is a chance for James Milner to start, although I expect Garcia to play with Yaya Toure in his more advanced role. Edin Dzeko is likely to retain his striking place after an impressive performance away to Norwich, with Sergio Aguero and the slightly fresher Carlos Tevez competing for a berth alongside the Bosnian.
Here is the side I expect Mancini to select:
Referee: Michael Oliver
Prediction: MAN CITY 2 – 1 Stoke – We have found it difficult against the Potters on numerous occasions in the past, and they are in a decent vein of form at the moment. It will be tight but I’d back City to just about prevail. Goals to be scored by Edin Dzeko, Sergio Aguero and Kenwyne Jones.
William Hill have some excellent odds for this match: Vincent Kompany to score the first goal stands out at 33/1 whilst Edin Dzeko to score first and the Blues to win 2-1 is hugely tempting at 35/1.
I cant decide whether it will be 4 or 5 nil tomorrow to be honest
I would fancy playing Tevez in place of Yaya in the above line-up though I pretty much doubt Bobby would bench my man Yaya.
Yaya playing is as certain as VFAB slating Yaya’s performance after the game
I’ll be quite happy to see that side tomorrow, though Bobby never does what people expect. I hate Stoke, and Pulis and all he represents, and am not looking forward to them parking the bus again, but I am looking forward to the African Nations Cup when Bobby wil eventually be forced to come up with a plan B.(Just hope its James Milner in a central role)
The prospect of having Barry and Garcia in the holding role does not fill me with complete confidence. That is the reason why Yaya has been playing so deep, because he knows they are both slow and awkward players. Yaya isn’t the fasted either and there lies the problem compared to many other teams!! Nonetheless, should be a 2 – 0 at least.
Barry slow and awkward?
That was a masterclass he produced yesterday, MoM for me!
Good balanced selection, various options upfront good width and cover both in midfield and at the back for high balls. Lets hope Hart assists when high balls are played in the box.
we were quality today and it should have been 1 of the scorelines i said at the top