Premier League preview and odds: Manchester City vs Stoke City

Published on: 21/04/2016

Premier League preview and odds: Manchester City vs Stoke City

April 23 , 2016 12:45pm - Etihad Stadium

Premier League

Manchester City are one of six teams battling for the last three Champions League places, while Stoke city are aiming for their highest ever finish in the Premier League era.

Top four still not certain for City

Tuesday`s draw at Newcastle has allowed the chasing pack to gain ground on Manchester City in the race for the top four places. With Manchester United, West Ham and Liverpool all winning, the pressure will be growing on Manuel Pellegrini, who also has a Champions League semi-final to prepare for.

The Manchester side has won just three of their last seven home games in the Premier league, having lost three and drawn the other. In their last home game, they edged to a 2-1 win over 14th-ranked West Bromwich.

One win in six for Stoke

Stoke City were on course for their highest ever finish in the Premier League era, but a run of six games with just one victory has thrown them off track. Mark Hughes will be hoping to reignite their ambitions by getting a result against his old club.

Last time out, the Potters were on the receiving end of a 4-0 battering at home to title hopefuls Tottenham Hotspur. The week before, they also conceded four goal when they went down 4-1 at Liverpool.

Team news

Manuel Pellegrini`s injury woes have all but disappeared with Samir Nasri the only absentee. Meanwhile Stoke City will be without the injured group of Jack Butland, Jon Walters, Glen Johnson and Marc Wilson.

Recent form (League)

Manchester City: WWWLD

Stoke City: LDWLD

Betting odds and tips

City have been relatively poor at home, having lost three of their last five in the league. In addition, they have failed to win any of their last four home games against top-half opposition. Meanwhile, Stoke have lost just one of their last four on the road.

The draw looks like good value at 9/2 with Bet365

By Neil Morris

Published on: 21/04/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (21/04/2016 12:43:10) but are subject to change.