Follow every kick as Manchester City take on Stoke City at City of Manchester Stadium in the Premier League
on 26-Dec-2009, kick off time 15:00
Manchester City v Stoke City Live
Match Preview
Manchester City welcome Stoke City to City of Manchester Stadium on Boxing Day and their first team squad will be under the hovering eye of new boss Roberto Mancini for the first time. Mark Hughes was dismissed as manager following the 4-3 home success against Sunderland last week and, with the Italian now at the helm, many of City's big name stars would be foolish thinking their place in the side is guaranteed.
Owner Sheikh Mansour is expected to let Mancini run riot in January when the transfer window opens and with Kolo Toure hardly setting the world alight in defence, alongside injured duo Wayne Bridge and Joleon Lescott, it will be interesting to see who the former Internazionale man will strive to snap up.
However, on the playing field, City have lost just twice this term and it is their inability of turning draws into wins that has so far scuppered their title charge. With Carlos Tevez, Robinho, Emmanuel Adebayor and Roque Santa Cruz all aiming to impress, the City front men will be wanting to fire on all cylinders. Stoke will be happy that all the media hype is on their rivals and they will be wanting to do all their talking on the pitch. The unfashionable yet industrious outfit may not have won in their last four games, but they should pose a threat to a patched up City defensive unit. Strikers Tuncay, James Beattie, Mamady Sidibe and Ricardo Fuller will be pushing for a starting berth against the Premier League big boys.
Rory Delap's monster throws are still causing concern to Premier League rivals and, if selected, these will be to watch out for. Micah Richards, Lescott and Bridge (all knee) will be missing for the festive period while unfortunate midfielder Michael Johnson is also suffering a knee problem and his season is over. Stoke may be without influential defender Ryan Shawcross (groin) and manager Tony Pulis will hope his linchpin centre-half will win his fitness battle.
Source: DSG
