Preview: Stoke City vs. Manchester City

Manchester City approach this week's Premier League contest at Stoke City hoping to end a run of lacklustre form that has seen them lose ground on Chelsea in the title race.

The Sky Blues needed a last-ditch strike from James Milner to rescue a point in a 1-1 draw with Hull City at the weekend, a result that left them seven points off the pace.

Yaya Toure and Wilfried Bony, who recently helped the Ivory Coast secure the Africa Cup of Nations, will not be returning to domestic action so soon, meaning that Edin Dzeko may retain his place partnering Sergio Aguero up front.

Midfielder David Silva and defender Pablo Zabaleta are expected to keep their places in the starting XI after returning from injuries against Hull.

Stoke stretched their unbeaten run to four matches with a 1-1 draw at Newcastle United in their last outing, and could hand a start to striker Peter Crouch after the former England international came off the bench to rescue a point in the final minute.

He could partner Mame Diouf in attack, although Potters boss Mark Hughes has an additional option in the shape of Marko Arnautovic.

Captain Ryan Shawcross is expected to be out for a further week with a back problem, paving the way for Marc Muniesa to continue at the back.

Stoke head into the match sitting comfortably in mid-table, and can potentially move into the top half with a win.

Stoke:

Form in Premier League: WDLWWD Form in all competitions: WLWWWD

Possible starting lineup: Begovic; Bardsley, Muniesa, Wollscheid, Wilson; Whelan, Nzonzi; Walters, Ireland; Crouch, Diouf

City:

Form in Premier League: DWDLLDD Form in all competitions: WDLLDD

Possible starting lineup: Hart; Clichy, Demichelis, Kompany, Zabaleta, Fernando, Fernandinho, Silva, Dzeko, Aguero, Nasri

Sports Mole says: 0-1