Preview: Manchester City vs. Stoke City

With seven points between themselves and rivals Manchester United at the top of the Premier League table, champions Manchester City head into Tuesday's clash against Stoke City knowing that they cannot afford to drop any more points.

Previous matches between the two sides in Manchester are on City's side, with Stoke having only won seven of the 50 meetings between the two in the North West.

However, if City are to achieve a positive result against the Potters, they will have to do so without Samir Nasri. The French attacker is suspended following the first red card of his career against Norwich City last time out.

Edin Dzeko scored twice during that fixture and the Bosnian could be in line to keep his place in the starting lineup, particularly because Stoke have a large physical presence in defence.

Scott Sinclair and Javi Garcia may also be included, with Gareth Barry in line to drop to the bench.

Meanwhile, Peter Crouch could be recalled by visiting Stoke following a spell among the substitutes, while Charlie Adam could also return after the death of his father.

Recent form

Man City: DLWWLW

Stoke: WDDDWD

Possible starting lineups:

Man City: Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Nastasic, Clichy; Yaya Toure, Garcia, Sinclair, Silva; Aguero, Dzeko

Stoke: Begovic; Shotton, Huth, Upson, Wilkinson; Kightly, Whelan, Adam, Etherington; Walters, Crouch

Sports Mole says: 2-0