Manchester City vs Stoke City. Premier League.
Etihad StadiumAttendance52,625.
Wednesday 8 March 2017 20:05, UK
Manchester City have no fresh injury concerns ahead of Stoke City's visit to the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, live on Sky Sports.
City, who are 11 points behind leaders Chelsea but have played a game less, can narrow the gap again with victory against a Stoke side who have been in inconsistent form of late.
Former City boss Mark Hughes has led his side to two wins, two draws and two defeats in their last six, and lost the reverse fixture 4-1 in August at the Bet365 Stadium.
Guardiola's City still have strong title aspirations, having won their last four Premier League games.
Team news
Other than long-term absentees Ilkay Gundogan and Gabriel Jesus, Guardiola has a full team to pick from for Wednesday's clash, including defender Vincent Kompany.
Stoke winger Xherdan Shaqiri is available after five games out due to a calf problem.
Bruno Martins Indi (knee) is a major doubt, and Marko Arnautovic (illness) and Glen Johnson (shoulder) could miss out as well.
Wilfried Bony is ineligible as he is on loan from City, while it remains to be seen whether Giannelli Imbula - who, like Bony, failed to make the 18 last time out despite being available - is involved this time.
Opta stats
Manchester City have won three of their last four Premier League games against Stoke (L1), netting four goals in each victory.
Stoke have scored just one goal in their eight Premier League visits to the Etihad, in a 1-0 win in August 2014.
Stoke have suffered five defeats in their last six Premier League away matches (W1 D0 L5).
Sergio Aguero has scored eight goals in seven Premier League appearances against the Potters - only against Newcastle (11) and Tottenham (10) has he scored more in the competition.
City haven't done the league double over Stoke since they were in the third tier together in 1998/99.
At least one player has scored twice in each of the last four Premier League meetings between these sides (Nolito, Kelechi Iheanacho, Marko Arnautovic and Sergio Aguero x2).
Betting
Manchester City are just 2/9 with Sky Bet to go second with a win Chelsea, with Stoke 11/1 to cause an upset and 11/2 to hold out for a draw. However, Pep Guardiola's men are up against odds of 11/1 themselves to secure the title as Chelsea are 1/12 shots to hold on to their lead.
Sergio Aguero is the 9/4 favourite in the first goalscorer betting and enhanced from 6/1 to 12/1 to bag a hat-trick in Sky Bet's Price Boosts, while Peter Crouch is considered the visitors' main threat at 12/1 to net first.
