Manchester City V Stoke City

 

Manchester City V Stoke City

Date & Kick-Off: Saturday, 14 May 2011 – 15:00 (GMT)
Venue: Wembley, London
TV Coverage: ITV1 & ESPN

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Preview

It is easy to discount the fact that the 2010/2011 FA Cup has stretched over nine months, featuring more than 700 competitors. However, this year’s version of the oldest knockout competition in the history of the sport will finally reach a conclusion on Saturday, 14 May when the most expensively-assembled squad in the land take on this year’s surprise package as Manchester City and Stoke City do battle at Wembley in an intriguing final, because of the contrasting styles and personnel, that will be shown in front of a large scale audience across the globe.

We may even see a first time winner, with Stoke set to appear in their very first FA Cup final after several failed efforts in the semi-finals. They made no mistake this time around though, thumping Bolton Wanderers 5-0 at Wembley last month to book a final date with one of the two Manchester giants. Yaya Toure scored the only goal of the game as underdogs Manchester City prevailed over their hated rivals Manchester United, winning 1-0 and in turn put his team within touching distance of securing their fifth FA Cup; their first since 1969.

And it’s of no surprise that Manchester City, the team with the greater pedigree and the big names, are the favourites to win Saturday’s show-piece. Several hundred million has been spent by their multi-billionaire owner, Sheikh Mansour, for this very purpose, to win major honours, and so it would almost be criminal were they not to be crowned 2010/2011 FA Cup winners. Stoke, though, won’t care less regarding any inferiority complex and will, as they have done for the most part throughout their highly successful three-year tenure in the Barclay’s Premier League, look to defy all the odds en route to claiming another significant scalp – though there will be none bigger than Man City in the final of the FA Cup.

Indeed, recent history is also on the underdogs’ side. Since 2008, these two very teams have clashed on no less than seven separate occasions, with Stoke losing just twice (W2 D3 L2) and even dumped Roberto Mancini’s City side out of last season’s FA Cup with a 3-1 victory at The Brittania Stadium. However, there is little doubt as to which of the two are on the right path to stardom.

It has been well documented that Manchester City have spent large sums on building a team capable of competing at the highest levels and winning trophies, and at long last, under the tactical nous of an Italian by the name of Roberto Mancini, whom had a tidy CV when it came to winning silverware at his former club Inter Milan, the club are beginning to see some of the fruits of their labour. Not only are they within 90 minutes of bringing the first piece of silverware to a club which has been starved of such a thing for 35-years , the glamour of Champions League football awaits them next season. Exciting times at Eastlands, then.

So whereas Man City expect nothing less than to be entertaining such fixtures for many years to come, it is the exact opposite for their opponents. And punters can rest assured that there isn’t a club more rooted than Stoke City; they know full well that opportunities like this are rare and are unlikely to come their way again for a very long time, so you can expect nothing less than a typically committed performance from The Potters on Saturday in what for some, including their highly rated manager but even more so their supporters, is the biggest match of their life’s.

On paper, I would say they are fairly evenly matched. Of course, it goes without saying that Manchester City boast the greater array of players, with manager Roberto Mancini having an embarrassment of riches at his disposal. They’ll also be in jubilant mood following victory over Tottenham Hotspur, which secured Champions League football for next season, just four days previous. Stoke, though, are in terrific form – it’s now five games without defeat, stretching back to their 5-0 hammering of Bolton in the semi-final to last weekend’s 3-1 rout of Arsenal at fortress Brittania – while their supporters, and I genuinely believe this, are some of the most passionate in the country and will shed just as much blood, sweat and tears in the Wembley stands as their team will on the pitch.

A lot does however depend on who does and does not make the team-sheet. Roberto Mancini is sweating over the fitness of star striker Carlos Tevez, who has scored 22 goals in all competitions this season but could only manage the last ten minutes of Tuesday’s league fixture with Spurs. Tony Pulis, meanwhile, has major concerns over two key players, with defender Robert Huth – a prominent threat from the air and a defender who has chipped in with nine goals this season – and winger Matthew Etherington both facing a race against time to be fit for Saturday’s colossal encounter.

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Form

Manchester City – WWWLW (Man City 1-0 Man City, Blackburn 0-1 Man City, Man City 2-1 West Ham, Everton 2-1 Man City, Man City 1-0 Tottenham)

The Citizens will be in high spirits following Tuesday’s hard-fought victory over Tottenham, with their 1-0 triumph at Eastlands good enough to secure Champions League football next season. However, their form in general has been very inconsistent, and they have lacked similar continuity in this season’s FA Cup as well. In the earlier rounds they struggled to overcome lower league opposition in the form of Leicester City and Notts County, while they also encountered problems in the Sixth Round with Reading. On that form, City look mighty vulnerable against an in-form, confident Stoke.

Stoke City – WDWDW (Bolton 0-5 Stoke, Aston Villa 1-1 Stoke, Stoke 3-0 Wolves, Blackpool 0-0 Stoke, Stoke 3-1 Arsenal)

The Potters will head into Saturday’s FA Cup final, arguably the biggest game in the club’s history, with plenty of momentum following last week’s 3-1 hammering of Arsenal at The Brittania. Stoke have now gone five games without defeat, and that does include their 5-0 demolition of Bolton in the semi-final.

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2010/2011 FA Cup Results

Manchester City

Third Round: Leicester 2-2 Man City
Third Round (Replay): Man City 4-2 Leicester
Fourth Round: Notts County 1-1 Man City
Fourth Round Man City 5-0 Notts County
Fifth Round: Man City 3-0 Aston Villa
Sixth Round: Man City 1-0 Reading
Semi-Final: Man City 1-0 Man Utd

Stoke City

Third Round: Stoke 1-1 Cardiff
Third Round (Replay): Cardiff 0-2 Stoke
Fourth Round: Wolves 0-1 Stoke
Fifth Round: Stoke 3-0 Brighton
Sixth Round: Stoke 2-1 West Ham
semi-Final: Bolton 0-5 Stoke

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Head-to-Head (All Competitions)

Man City wins: 40
Draws: 21
Stoke wins: 35

Last 5 Seasons (Premiership)

2010/2011: Stoke 1-1 Man City
2009/2010: Stoke 1-1 Man City
2009/2010: Man City 2-0 Stoke
2008/2009: Stoke 1-0 Man City
2008/2009: Man City 3-0 Stoke

FA Cup Meetings

2010/2011: Stoke 3-1 Man City (Replay)
2010/2011: Man City 1-1 Stoke

1975/1976: Stoke 1-0 Man City

1972/1973: Man City 3-2 Stoke

1933/1934: Man City 1-0 Stoke

1927/1928: Man City 0-1 Stoke

1910/1911: Stoke 1-2 Man City

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Value Bets

Manchester City to WIN to NIL @ 3.00 PaddyPower

Roberto Mancini’s men have won their last four FA Cup ties without conceding.

Carlos Tevez Last Goalscorer @ 6.00 WilliamHill

He has scored more goals than any other Manchester City player this season, however the Argentine striker has spent the last month on the sidelines with a hamstring injury but has conveniently recovered in time to be in contention for Saturday. However, despite his courageous efforts to regain his fitness, I believe Tevez may have to settle for an appearance from the bench, though that will only make him an even bigger threat, up against some tired Stoke legs in the second half.

Robert Huth to Score @ 11.50 Unibet

The German defender is trying every method possible to be fit in time for Saturday’s showdown and my inkling is that he may just make the cut. If he does, Huth, who has scored nine times this season, will be Stoke’s main threat from set-pieces and looks tremendous value to get on the scoresheet.

Kenwyn Jones to Hit the Woodwork (Post or Crossbar without scoring) @ 11.00 888Sport

No players has hit the post or crossbar more times in the Premier League this season than Stoke’s powerful forward, whom has also netted three times in his last four starts.

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Special Bets

To Lift the Trophy

Manchester City – 1.40 Boylesports
Stoke City – 3.00 Bet365

To Win in Extra-Time

Manchester City – 11.00 Bet365
Stoke City – 26.00 Bet365

To Win on Penalties

Manchester City – 13.00 Boylesports
Stoke City – 13.00 Boylesports

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Match Prediction: Stoke City to WIN – 4.60 Totesport

Although a couple of Stoke’s influential figures are touch-and-go for Saturday, my message is clear: Write off this particular underdog at your peril, as Stoke have the ammunition to turn over the odds-on favourites; a loyal and passionate following of supporters, an intimidating group of players in stature, as well as a shrewd manager, but also a taste for defying adversity, something they did to devastating affect just last Sunday, when comprehensively beating Arsenal 3-1, and have done throughout their stay in the most demanding of domestic leagues, the Barclay’s Premier League.

Manchester City are rightly favourites. That said, I definitely feel firms have gone mad with their price on a Stoke upset, and I’m certain I won’t be the only one who reckons Tony Pulis’ side are exceptional value this weekend.

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Match Odds

Manchester City – 1.91 VictorChandler
Draw – 3.60 Bet365
Stoke City – 4.60 Totesport

 

Saturday, 12^th February

 

12:00 GMT – Chelsea V Cardiff City

12:45 GMT – Southampton V Portsmouth

15:00 GMT – Derby County V Birmingham City

15:00 GMT – Reading V West Bromwich Albion

17:15 GMT – Manchester City V Stoke City

 

 

Sunday, 13^th February

 

13:30 GMT – Bolton Wanderers V Tottenham Hotspur

15:00 GMT – Fulham V Notts County

15:45 GMT – Crystal Palace V Aston Villa

 

 

Live on TV

 

Southampton V Portsmouth – ITV1

Manchester City V Stoke City – ITV1

 

Bolton Wanderers V Tottenham Hotspur – ITV1

Crystal Palace V Aston Villa – ITV1

 

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Chelsea V Cardiff City

 

Venue: Stamford Bridge

 

It’s a dream tie for both sides this, as Chelsea are handed what appears to be a fairly easy route through to the quarter-finals and Cardiff get their fairytale fixture against one of Europe’s top teams. However, Cardiff won’t travel to the capital in the mindset of simply rolling over and handing their fifth round opponents a bye, no, they’ll be giving it everything they’ve got and we do get the feeling that this fixture, the earliest tie of them all this weekend, could feature its fair amount of goals.

 

Chelsea are the firm favourites, which is unsurprising, with the blues’ a best priced 1/5 or 1.20 with Bet365 Their price won’t get you rich any time soon but it could prove to be a snip come full-time. However, if you’re a cup nostalgic and feel this seasons competition still has a major shock left in it, why not have a small flutter on a Cardiff victory at 18/1 with VCbet. If we’re honest, an away win does look a little far-fetched and perhaps the price of 6/1 on the Draw with Bet365 has more appeal.

 

Our Views: We can’t see past a comfortable home win for Chelsea as the competition favourites look to bypass their third Championship test of this campaign. However, like we mentioned above, their price isn’t attractive and so perhaps a small wager on the goalscorer markets would be more worthwhile. Didier Drogba looks Chelsea’s more likely scorer after impressing us all season with his goalscoring antics. He is a short though, and the best price on Drogba scoring in 90 minutes is currently 1.73 with Boylesports. However, if want to cheer on the underdog then why not have a small dabble on a former Premiership employee out-witting Petr Chech… Michael Chopra has been in and amongst the goals this season for the Bluebirds and is a very attractive 7/2 with WilliamHill to score in 90 minutes on Saturday.

 

 

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Southampton V Portsmouth

 

Venue: St. Mary’s

 

This is the game on most peoples lips, even with the neutrals. As two old foes, local foes that is, come together in a passionate embrace as the romance of the FA Cup draws up yet another cracker. However, that’s where the softly-softly ends as this will be a full-blooded affair between two bitter, local rivals as League One Southampton take on Premiership side Portsmouth at St. Mary’s.

 

The Premiership side, despite all their off-pitch problems, remain the favourites to progress further at the expense of Southampton, with Portsmouth available at 2.50 with Bet365 and a home win for Southampton currently priced at 3.00 with SkyBet. If you think they’ll be more fisty-cuff’s than slick finishing then why not have a pound or two on the draw at a more than decent 3.30 with Irish firm, PaddyPower.

 

Our Views: It’s D-Day down South and it’s a rare clash between these two sides which makes the occasion that bit more feisty and will attract far more local spectators, from both sides of the coin. We expect all this heated action of the pitch, between the two sets of fans, to be transferred onto the pitch but it should inspire the home side more simply because they have far more home based players than Portsmouth, with Pompey’s players probably not understanding nor caring about this derby and how important it is to the fans. Southampton players, however, will feel and hear just what it means to their fans and will be fired up for this encounter. A home win looks the shout to us, despite a whole league separating the two, with Southampton a tasty proposition at 3.00 with SkyBet.

 

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Derby County V Birmingham City

 

Venue: Pride Park

 

Not one of the more glamorous ties of the fifth round but that will suit both these sides down to the ground and both have a fantastic opportunity to make a rare appearance in the quarter-finals. Both have scraped through the previous rounds by the skin of their teeth so perhaps another tight contest is on the cards between two sides who don’t look particularly strong in the forward department to have us think this will be a goal-fest.

 

Birmingham, aided by their Premiership status and their form in arguably the most gruelling and physically demanding league in the world, are the favourites by are still a cosy price at 2.30 with Expekt. When you consider that Birmingham have lost just one of their last fourteen in the Premiership, a league Derby County would struggle to get any points in, surely that price is a steal. However, will the Rams, aided by their trump card, which is a rowdy home support, upset the odds by recording a victory without the need of a replay? Well, County are a best priced 3.50 with SkyBet to get the job done at Pride Park, while the draw, which would then lead to a replay at St. Andrews, is a best priced 3.40 with Boylesports.

 

Our Views: This is one fixture we won’t be delving into as it doesn’t look an attractive affair. However, Birmingham have beaten far beater opponents than Derby County this season, that’s a given, and so their price of 2.30 does look mighty generous. However, we just get the feel that their price will turn out to be too good to be true and so we won’t be getting involved.

 

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Reading V West Bromwich Albion

 

Venue: The Madjeski

 

Reading are rapidly becoming the ‘Giant Killers’ of this FA Cup after claiming the scalps of two Premiership teams already, having beaten Liverpool in Round 3; holding seven time champions to a 1-1 draw at The Madjeski before winning 2-1at Anfield after Extra-Time. And then beating Burnley 1-0 at The Madjeski in Round 4. West Brom, though, have taken a slightly more low-profile approach to the fifth round after beating League One’s Huddersfield Town at the Galpharm 2-0, and then seeing off Championship leaders Newcastle United at The Hawthorns, winning 4-2 in a corker of a game. If this was based on previous round results then Reading would win this tie hands down, but you could say the exact same about their league form in West Brom’s favour… So how do you separate the two on Saturday?!

 

Well… The bookies have come across the same dilemma and have priced these two up at roughly the same price, with a home win for Reading available with several firms at 2.75 including; SkyBet & PaddyPower, while an away win for the ‘Baggies‘ is slightly shorter at 2.63 with Bet365, which basically means the bookies narrowly give West Brom the vote of confidence. However, we still don’t see an awful lot between them, what with Reading boast home advantage, and another Madjeski draw could be the call, with a Draw available at 3.40 with SkyBet & PaddyPower.

 

Our Views: This is another tie we wouldn’t dare bet on simply because any team could win. However, if you can somehow pick a winner then you’re on to a decent priced winner as all three options would bring about a very decent return. However, we would have to give the edge to West Brom purely on the basis that they are a much better side than Reading, with the Baggies lying 2^nd in the Championship table, with Reading down in 22^nd, and West Brom did beat Reading 3-1 at The Hawthorns earlier in the season.

 

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Manchester City V Stoke City

 

Venue: City of Manchester Stadium

 

City’s owners, Man City that is, will be hoping their major spending over the summer will be an investment, and the FA Cup will be their just rewards. However, Stoke have other ideas after putting one of the favourites out in the last round in Arsenal. It’s one of just two all Premiership clashes of the fifth round and it’s a fixture Man City would have wished was far easier.

 

I didn’t even need to check the odds to know that Man City, with all their riches and expensive players, would be the odds-on favourites to progress into the next round with a win in Manchester. City are a 1/2 shot with some firms; PaddyPower & Expekt, with everyone all going shorter. An away win, however, does look tasty at 15/2 with a very generous, and probably wise, SkyBet. Some will feel Stoke’s best hopes of seeing off City are at The Brittania, so perhaps it could be worth nibbling away at some of the 4.30 currently on offer with Bet365 on the draw.

 

Our Views: If you’re looking for an outside punt then perhaps the draw is a possibility, but even that could be asking a lot from Stoke City. Man City are immensely strong at home and will take some beating on their home patch, while Stoke are one of the poorest away sides in the Premier League and will do well to walk away from this meeting with a reasonable scoreline in our opinion. Stoke have been struggling too much away from home against far smaller teams in comparison to City and we feel the home side look a very decent bet at half-decent odds. Not the most glamorous of selections but it looks a shoe-in.

 

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Bolton Wanderers V Tottenham Hotspur

 

Venue: The Reebok

 

The second all Premiership clash of the round sees Bolton entertain top four hopefuls Tottenham Hotspur at The Reebok stadium in a game that could be more exciting then it looks. Both teams, even a usually dull and rigid Bolton, are playing very attractive football at the moment, with the pair looking very bright in lively in attack. Moreover, both these sides have their own reasons as to why they have to win Sunday’s Reebok contest, which should make this a lively, possibly end-to-end encounter.

 

Bolton will feel their best opportunity of progressing into the Quarter-Finals is at The Reebok on Sunday and so they’ll be doing their utmost to avoid the draw as winning at White Hart Lane will be tough. Tottenham won’t want the burden of yet another replay and so they’ll be eager to get the job done at The Reebok. The bookies have predictably favoured with Tottenham Hotspur and have them 2.20 favourites with BlueSquare, while a less fancied home win looks very attractive at nearly 3/1, with Coral going 2.75 on a Bolton win. A stalemate, which both sides won’t appreciate, is available at 3.40 with Bet365 & SkyBet.

 

Our Views: We feel Bolton are great value to come through this tough fifth round fixture with the aid of home support. They are a tough side to beat at The Reebok as Tottenham found out a little earlier in the season when drawing 2-2. They get in you face, close you down but now they look a real force when going forward, breaking fast and getting forward in numbers. It will require a famous workmanlike performance from the home side, but at very generous odds we feel Bolton are more than worth a bet at 3.75 with Coral.

 

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Fulham V Notts County

 

Venue: Craven Cottage

 

It’s hardly the glamour tie of the round but it’s certainly the fairytale one as League Two Notts County try their luck against another of England’s finest in London’s Fulham at Craven Cottage. The Cottagers have been gifted the easiest draw of the lot it would seem and should sail through without too many problems. However, The Magpies will have other ideas and will undoubtedly give it their all in a rare fifth round appearance in the FA Cup and an even rarer appearance at Craven Cottage.

 

Fulham, because of their squad and their Premiership status, were always going to be the favourites here and it was just a case of how short they would be and whether they were any value. Well, the first thing we thought when we seen their price was ‘WOW‘ as odds of 1.53 with a very generous Bet365 look stunning when you consider Fulham are one of the toughest teams to beat at home in the country. Notts County look far too small for me at odds of 6/1 with PaddyPower, while the draw still doesn’t tickle my fancy at 4.30 with SkyBet.

 

Our Views: We fancied Fulham’s chances before we seen the prices as they have a far stronger squad and a stunning home record this season. However, we fancied them even more when we seen their price of just over ½ and we’re hoping Fulham prove to be the certs we feel they are. Only Chelsea & Arsenal have beaten Fulham at The Cottage this season, with both Liverpool & Man Utd falling at the wayside their, and we feel Notts County will just be another routine win for The Cottagers.

 

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Crystal Palace V Aston Villa

 

Venue: Selhurst Park

 

Cash strapped Palace will be hoping for another pay-day when they take on Aston Villa at Selhurst Park. However, Neil Warnock’s squad is down to the bare bones and it’s a big enough ask in getting eleven men on the pitch to let alone demand a victory from them so it’s no surprise to see Villa as the strong favourites in this clash. Palace, though, did have the beating of Wolves in the last round, albeit needing a replay, but could find this game too big a challenge.

 

Crystal Palace‘s money problems has clearly had some impact on the pricing for this game as a fully-fit palace squad, one which would have kept hold of Victor Moses, could have been a right handful for Aston Villa. However, that’s now not the case and their chances of going further do look slim now. They will plug on nevertheless and still look a great bet at 4/1 to upset the odds. Villa to win looks far too short for our liking at 1.83 with VCbet, while the draw (3.60 Boyelsports) could be a wise old bet considering Palace would love a replay simply for the added TV revenue.

 

Our Views: You would have to fancy the chances of Villa beating Palace at Selhurst Park but their odds aren’t worth touching and preference would probably go in the direction of the home side, whom look a delicious price at 4/1 to overcome Champions League chasing Aston Villa. They proved in the last round that they can compete without their wonderkid, Victor Moses, and that the spirit in the camp is still very high. A big effort from the Palace lads could make this an interesting contest.

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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

 

 

Manchester City V Stoke City

 

Saturday 26^th December (Boxing Day) – 15:00 GMT

 

 

Manchester City

 

League Position: 6th

Recent Form: DWDLW

 

(Man City are unbeaten at home all season, winning five and drawing three)

  

Where do we even begin after a turbulent week at Eastlands. As if the seven goal thriller at The City of Manchester Stadium wasn’t enough, City’s mega rich and spoilt rotten owners gave Mark Hughes the Christmas boot on Saturday, less than a week before Christmas. However, it took them no less than 5 minutes to choose a successor, a controversial piece of business, and we will all be treated to a glimpse of their new manager on Saturday, as Roberto Mancini, a manager who has strongly been linked with a move to the Premiership for some time, takes over the reigns from Mark Hughes and aims to guide City not only back into form but also back into top four contention, or so everyone is saying.

  

Roberto Mancini – The Italian is perhaps a manager most neutrals won’t have heard of, unless you’re an avid follower of the Italian Serie A, which, after watching a few games every other week, isn’t something I would recommended. However, he enjoyed great success at his former club, Inter Milan, winning three successive league titles, although it was hard not to considering he had by far and away the best squad in the entire league at his disposal. However, although he had an array of talent at his beckon call, he did know how to get the best out of his players and, instead of being known for their attractive play, because they weren’t at times, the were recognised, under Roberto Mancini, as a very solid outfit and that’s something City are in desperate need of. Mancini built a strong defensive basis for Inter Milan, one which is still in use today under Jose Mourinho, and Mancini, who was actually a striker back in the day, could actually be a shrewd piece of business as we feel he will sure up that shaky City defence.

  

That’s enough with Roberto Mancini for the time being as we weren’t too impressed to see the back of Mark Hughes. Of course, a run of eight draws in nine games probably didn’t help his cause, and the resounding 3-0 defeat at White Hart Lane a week ago was probably the death of him, but let’s not forget that City have lost just twice all season and it was only two weeks ago that Mark Hughes & Co were celebrating a 2-1 victory over Chelsea, the current league leaders. We know they aren’t occupying a top four position, but then again, neither are Liverpool. City are, though, still firmly in contention, despite falling six points behind the top four, but the Blues’ do have a game in hand over everyone above them in the table, bar Arsenal, so that gap could be reduced to just three points, which is nothing based on the bizarre happening already this season.

  

However, there is a famous old adage in football; “You are only as good as your last game”, and, despite an enthralling 4-3 victory at home to Sunderland last Saturday, it does appear that Mark Hughes’ coffin was well and truly nailed at White Hart Lane in that 3-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, arguably City’s worst performance of the season. We were sad to see him go, as were many City fans, but that’s not to say it wasn’t a correct decision, nor a wrong one. We guess Saturday will provide us with a few quick answers, though, into how Roberto Mancini will go about changing City’s fortunes for the better and whether the Italian can make the instant impact his new, but yet impatient, employer demands.

  

It’s been a long rant from us and we will briefly discuss the form of Man City – or lack of it. The 4-3 win at home to Sunderland last Saturday was a joy to watch and it did end a run of two games without a win for City. It was, though, just their second win in eleven league games. Scoring goals has never been a problem for City this season, with just two trips to Birmingham and Tottenham the only occasions City have failed to score in 90 minutes this season. However, their defence has been a calamity and was, evidentially, Mark Hughes’ downfall come the end. When you hear that Shay Given hasn’t kept a clean sheet in seven games then you know you’ve got a defensive crisis on your hands and that is the case at the present time. In fact, in seventeen completed fixtures this season, City have kept just four clean sheets, and all, bar high-flying Birmingham City, were against teams near the foot of the table.

 

 

 

Stoke City

 

League Position: 11th

Recent Form: WDLDL

 

(Stoke haven’t managed an away goal in almost 300 minutes of play)

  

Tony Pulis will be hoping to fare a lot better as his Stoke side head up to Manchester to a venue they lost 3-0 at last season. However, it was a Robinho hat-trick which sent Stoke to their peril on that occasion, and with the Brazilian looking like a lost sheep at present, perhaps Stoke will feel they have a better chance of taking something away from Manchester this time around, after two miserable failed attempts last season – losing 5-0 at Old Trafford to Man Utd but, more importantly, losing 3-0 at The City of Manchester against Man City, Saturday’s opponents.

  

Stoke fans will feel a little hard done by that their side didn’t manage to take anything away from their trip to Villa Park in a match where Stoke worked tremendously hard. However, regardless of how well they worked, their failure to convert chances into goals cost them… once again, and it’s become an all too familiar sight with Stoke this season, which is a shame because they have grown on me since their arrival into the Premiership last year.

  

To be fair, they don’t even play just ‘Route 1′ football any more, as Tony Pulis has got them playing in an attractive manner nowadays, he just knows when to switch styles for the right games, which is a credit to him. What was even more honourable was that Tony Pulis didn’t set out to simply defend for the full 90 minutes at Villa Park but to actually attack when given the opportunity, and in numbers. That was when Stoke were at their most dangerous in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa, when the Potters were on the break. For a side that boasts tall, stocky players, Stoke don’t half get forward in a rate of knots.

 

However, despite Tony Pulis looking at alternative methods into winning games, instead of their boring yet successful ‘Route 1′ style that saw them ease their way to safety last season, his new system of using the flanks more hasn’t paid off as much as he would of hoped, especially on the road. In nine away outings this season, The Potters have found the opposing net on a paltry four occasions, thus managing to concede eleven goals in return. Their apparent lack of fire-power when on their travels has had an unsurprising adverse effect on their away form (1-4-4), with Stoke’s only success away from The Brittania coming against Tottenham Hotspur, one of the shock results of the season to date.

 

 

 

Head-to-Head (Last 10):

 

Manchester City W: 1 Stoke City W: 1 Draw: 0

  

Despite all their millions, City failed to complete the double over Stoke last season, although they did comfortably beat the Potters 3-0 at The City of Manchester Stadium, with Robinho scoring a hat-trick. Stoke did, however, get their revenge in a 1-0 victory back at The Brittania, but they couldn’t get anywhere near City in this very same fixture last term, so will it be a case of Deja Vu for the travelling Stoke City supporters?

  

The only real pattern from last seasons two encounters was that both sides managed to beat each other to NIL at home, and that the second half had more goals than the first.

 

 

 

Match Verdict: Manchester City to WIN – 1.44 Bet365

 

Stoke battled on valiantly on Saturday but the end product is becoming a mass production. Since the end of October, Stoke have lost three of their last four away games and haven’t managed to score in over 300 minutes of play away from home. City, though, will be a dangerous side, not only in a footballing sense but for punters, also, as you aren’t quite sure what you’re going to get with a new manager in charge. The players should be eager to impress their new gaffer, though, and with the wide array of talent at Mancini’s disposal, City should comply at the first time of asking for their new Italian maestro.

 

 

 

Match Odds:

 

Manchester City – 1.44 Bet365

Draw – 4.30 Bet365

Stoke City – 9.50 SkyBet

 

 

 

Fancy a challenge?! - If you’re bored during the Christmas period and fancy chucking a few pennies down the bookies throats, then why not pluck up some courage and try to successfully pick a Stoke goalscorer on Saturday. The Potters have managed just four away goals all season, whilst James Beattie, a player who has had a few niggling knocks and busts up with the manager, tops Stoke’s goalscoring chart with just two league goals, along with three other team mates; Dave Kitson, Ryan Shawcross and Matthew Etherington. However, just Etherington and Kitson have scored for Stoke, out of the four named above, away from home this season, so picking a Stoke goalscorer on Saturday is the closest comparison to finding a needle in a haystack.

 

To score any time on Saturday odds:

 

James Beattie (Stoke City) – 4.50 Coral

Matthew Etherington (Stoke City) – 7.50 Coral

Ryan Shawcross (Stoke City) – 9.00 SportingBet

Tuncay (Stoke City) – 4.50 SkyBet

Ricardo Fuller – (Stoke City) – 4.30 Coral

Mamady Sidibe (Stoke City) – 5.50 SkyBet

 

Our Challenge Pick – Matthew Etherington!

 

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For those of you who fancy yourself against Matt, feel free to send us your challenge selection and those who do beat Matt will get a mention on the related preview. There is no actual prize up for grabs… just bragging rights?!

 

Send us your challenge pick to: challenge@soccerbetting.info