Premier League: Manchester City v Stoke City match preview

A look ahead to this weekend’s Premier League fixture at the Etihad

Manuel Pellegrini makes a gesture from the sideline (AFP)

Manchester City may well have said goodbye to any Champions League title hopes after their 2-0 defeat to Barcelona on Tuesday night but the Premier League crown is still very much in their sights.

They face Stoke City at the Etihad on Saturday, a team they have never lost to or conceded a home goal to in the Premier League. City have also beaten Stoke by at least 2 goals to nil in each of the 5 Premier League meetings between the two played in Manchester.

All signs would suggest a City win then and with Sergio Aguero and Yaya Toure having together scored the same amount of goals as Stoke have in the league this year, it could be a long day for Mark Hughes’ men.

Stoke haven’t lost in their last three games but are still just three points off the relegation zone.

City will want to shrug off what has been a tough February for them with a convincing display and with the history books and stats against Stoke, a City win looks very likely indeed.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 3.00pm

PAST MEETINGS…

Stoke 0 Man City 0, Premier League, September 2013

Stoke 0 Man City 1 (Zabaleta), FA Cup Fourth Round, January 2013

Man City 3 (Zabaleta, Dzeko, Aguero) Stoke 0, Premier League, January 2013

Stoke 1 (Crouch) Man City 1 (Garcia), Premier League, September 2012

Stoke 1 (Crouch) Man City 1 (Toure), Premier League, March 2012

Man City 3 (Aguero(2), Johnson) Stoke 0, Premier League, December 2011

STATS…

Man City have beating Stoke by a 3-0 scoreline at home in each of the last three seasons

Man City have scored 42 times at home this season, the most in the league

Sergio Aguero and Yaya Toure have together scored the same amount of goals (27) as Stoke have this season

Stoke have only one away victory this season, losing 9

Only Fulham and Norwich have scored less away goals than Stoke

ODDS…

Man City to win: 1.18

Stoke to win: 13.0

Draw: 7.0

TV: Highlights on Sky Sports 1 Match Choice from 10.00pm and BBC 1 Match of the Day at 10.30pm