PREM LG

Whilst all eyes may be on the Beckham road show as man United visit AC Milan, we'd rather look at home for some action. Stoke City face a difficult test on this evening as they prepare to welcome Roberto Mancini's Manchester City to the Britannia Stadium.

This will be the second of three meetings between the two sides in just ten days. They played out a 1-1 draw on Saturday evening at Eastlands in the FA Cup fifth round and they will replay next Tuesday in Stoke.

With the Citizens striving to grab a top-four finish this term, they need just a single point to go ahead of Liverpool into the sought after position and this is the first of two games in hand they have over the Merseyside giants.

If Mancini's men could find consistent form on the road, they would be finding life much easier at the top end of the table, but with just three wins on their travels, it continues to hinder their chances.

Stoke on the other hand have cemented a position in mid-table, thanks in the main to their fine home form and the visitors should be wary ahead of the clash.

The hosts have also been in fine form at the start of the New Year, going five games unbeaten in the Premier League - winning two and drawing three of their games.

City have lost three of their previous four away games, crashing to Tottenham Hotspur, Everton and Hull City.

Mancini has a few selection problems ahead of the contest with several first-team stars likely to miss the showdown.

Kolo Toure (knee) is ruled out with long-term absentee Michael Johnson (cruciate ligament) is missing until the summer.

Craig Bellamy (knee) and Micah Richards (calf) are pushing for a recall after their recent problems.

Meanwhile, home boss Tony Pulis also has a number of injury problems to contend with.

Following the FA Cup stalemate, Stoke lost a trio of players through injury and they are sweating over the fitness of winger Matthew Etherington.

He was forced off with a nasty looking knee injury and faces a scan that will reveal the extent of the problem. Liam Lawrence (knee) and Andy Wilkinson (ankle) also limped out of the action.

Last season's fixture resulted in a fine 1-0 win for the hosts and they showed at Eastlands on saturday - they have nothing to fear. City look far too short for us and Stoke have to be the bet. We'd rather have the draw as well though, and laying City at effectively 4/5 looks the punt.

Elsewhere, Notts Forest are doing their best to have a slump at the wrong time, and Sheffield United, despite their own poor form shouldn't be 4/1 shots with betchronicle.com.

Rely on us, QPR are in crisis, and despite Watford's inability to put games away, the 12/5 for an away win looks value. Rangers have won just once in 16 and not kept a clean sheet since October. The wheels have come off.

Published 16-02-2010

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