Manchester City host Stoke City at The Etihad just four days after their mid-week loss to Barcelona in the Champions League.
Manuel Pellegrini's comments about referee Jonas Eriksson's performance throughout the match are currently under investigation by the FA but Man City will need to put their focus back on The Premier League this weekend as they host a Stoke City side that held The Blues to a 0-0 draw back in September.
Stoke haven't won away from home in the league since August, but have managed to beat the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United in the past few months and head into the tie with the title contenders full of confidence.
Team News
Stoke City loanee John Guidetti will be ineligible to face his parent club but Mark Hughes could have Andy Wilkinson and Matthew Etherington back in the match day squad.
Meanwhile, City will welcome the return of Sergio Aguero and Matija Nastasic back into the squad.
Stats
Following a difficult run in January, Stoke are on a three-match unbeaten run in the league, which has helped them move away from the relegation zone.
Stoke have proved a difficult team for City to beat in the Premier League, with three of their last five meeting ending in a draw, including their most recent match in September.
City have won all five Premier League home games versus Stoke without conceding a single goal, with four of the matches ending 3-0.
Stoke have failed to score in six of their last 11 league games against City and just one goal in each of the other five.
Prediction
Stoke set up differently away from home and easily concede goals. Manchester City are formidable at home and Stoke have been able to beat them at The Etihad in their five years in the top flight.
Manchester City 2-2 Stoke City
Source: DSG
