Manchester City V Stoke City Betting: Saturday, 13th February (FA Cup – ITV1)

Manchester City V Stoke City

Saturday, 13^th February – 17:15 GMT (ITV1)

Manchester City

FA Cup Outright Odds: 4/1 totesport

City were drawn against a tough opponent in a robust Stoke City and will need to show their fighting qualities if they are to successfully fend off the challenge from Stoke City. The reward for the richest club in the land will be a spot in the Quarter-Finals, but the owners, manager, players and the fans will all have their eyes firmly set on Wembley, especially as the FA Cup is now their last chance to book a date with the capital after their Semi-Final heartache in the Carling Cup.

City have shown this competition the utmost respect by fielding the strongest possible side in each of their previous round matches. It’s quite clear that the owners want to see some form of visual reward for their money, which is fair enough after having spent over £200M during the summer on bolstering City’s forward options, and they’re pinning their hopes on Roberto Mancini delivering the goods. So far, the Italian has done a good job, keeping the club in touching distance of the Champions League places and maintaining their run in this competition. We were especially impressed with the side he put out in the last round when City beat Scunthorpe 4-2 at Glanford Park in a tie some other foreign managers would have fielded a weakened side, and have done in some cases, ahead of some big forthcoming clashes. Mancini opted against such a tactic, which just goes to show how much a strong run in the FA Cup means to him and to the club.

City head into this cup fixture in impressive form and in the knowledge that they are hot on the heels of a fourth place finish after victory over Bolton Wanderers in midweek, winning 2-0. The win lifted City into 5^th position in the table, level on points with fourth placed Liverpool, meaning City can rest easy that their position in the table is a prominent one during the FA Cup weekend. Both the manager and the players can now focus solely on their next task at hand which is seeing off an awkward Stoke City at The City of Manchester stadium. City have, though, already beaten The Potters at home this season in a 2-0 win back in December. Tevez scored the winner that day and he was on the score sheet in midweek as he took his tally for the season to 19 goals. He has, however, yet to score in the FA Cup this season after failing to start in either of City’s previous round victories.

City, at a ground where they’ve been more than accomplished in the past season or two, should be far too strong for even a tough, workmanlike Stoke City on Saturday. They are one of just two teams in the Premiership to boast an unbeaten record at home this season, with the other being league leaders Chelsea, whilst notching up an impressive 75% winning percentage at home. They’re on a five match winning run in the league, although most weren’t against outstanding sides, with only a small glitch being City’s two previous round victories coming away from Manchester, which, to be honest, should only be seen as a big positive as they return home.

Stoke City

FA Cup Outright Odds: 50/1 SkyBet

Stoke may have shot down one of the big boys of the tournament when they gunned down Arsenal at The Brittania, winning 2-0 in the previous round, but they will have it all to do in this tie as they travel to Manchester to take on the country’s biggest spenders in Manchester City. The Potters have already tried their luck at The City of Manchester stadium this season and failed miserably, losing 2-0. Will their exploits in the previous round against The Gunners inspire them to avenge that defeat or will they crumble once again to the might of Man City?

We can only suggest it will be the latter, what with Stoke possessing one terrible looking away record. The Potters have converted just one of their twelve away league fixtures into a win, with that solitary victory coming away at White Hart lane against Tottenham, one of thee most absurd results of the season. They have built up a mini vein of away form though, having gone unbeaten in their last two outings, but both were draws and against teams seriously struggling for form, so we wouldn’t dare read into too much into those results. Instead, we would rather focus on the run that came before that when Stoke lost four away games on the spin, failing to score in three of them.

It’s also worth pointing out that Stoke have been found wanting in front of goal this season, and of late for that matter. At home it hasn’t been as bad but away from fortress Britannia has been a totally different kettle of fish for The Potters, with Stoke failing to score in five of their last six away ventures. A Tuncay header in midweek at Wigan ended their 520 minute run without an away goal, but we reckon another baron run could open up after their visit to Man City.

How they got here?

Manchester City

Beat Middlesborough 1-0 (A)

Beat Scunthorpe United 4-2 (A)

Stoke City

Beat York City 3-1 (H)

Beat Arsenal 3-1 (H)

Match Verdict: Manchester City to WIN – 1.50 PaddyPower

We can’t see past a home win, probably a comfortable one, what with City looking impressive of late and Stoke struggling for goals on their travels. City have an array of striking talent at their disposal, with both Carlos Tevez & Emanuel Adebayor scoring in City’s midweek win over Bolton. The two players are complete opposites but that’s a positive in that the opposing defence has too much to think about when City are on the attack, whether it’s watching Tevez for his faint touches and movement, or Adebayor with his aerial threat. On paper, and after watching the pair in their recent games, City look a class above Stoke at present, and this should tell on Saturday.

Match Odds:

Manchester City – 1.50 PaddyPower

Draw – 4.30 Bet365

Stoke City – 8.50 SkyBet

SoccerBetting Value Tip: Emmanuel Adebayor FGS – 4/1 PaddyPower