New Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini must field a makeshift defence, with Nedum Onuoha, Joleon Lescott and Wayne Bridge all injured.
Micah Richards is doubtful with a knee complaint, while Shaun Wright-Phillips has aggravated an ankle problem.
Stoke have defender Robert Huth available after suspension.
Ryan Shawcross missed the defeat by Aston Villa last Saturday with a groin strain but could return to the squad on Boxing Day.
Man City
Suspended: None
Doubtful: Adebayor & Wright-Phillips (both ankle), Richards (knee)
Injured: Bridge, Johnson & Lescott (all knee), Onuoha (calf)
Stoke
Suspended: None Doubtful: Shawcross (groin)
Injured: Amdy Faye (back)
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• Stoke ended a four-match losing streak against Manchester City when the clubs last met, in January. James Beattie scored the only goal of the game at the Britannia Stadium.
• None of the last 14 meetings between the two teams have ended in a draw - Man City have won nine, Stoke have won five.
• City are unbeaten in their last 11 league games at home (W8, D3).
• They have conceded three goals in each of their last three matches and only kept one clean sheet in the league since August.
• Carlos Tevez has scored five goals in five league and cup games this month.
• Emmanuel Adebayor has made 99 Premier League starts.
Stoke
• Stoke have only won one of their last seven games and mustered just six points in that time.
• They have scored 15 league goals this season, the lowest tally in the division.
• The Potters have dropped an unsurpassed 12 points from winning positions.
• They last won on Boxing Day in 2000.
• Liam Lawrence has made 99 league appearances for Stoke.
Manchester City v Stoke
Manchester City's home form is excellent and I would not be surprised if Robinho played and showed all his tricks in front of his new manager.
I don't think Saturday will be a problem for new boss Roberto Mancini - but there are the long-term issues he needs to sort out.
I'm not sure that the balance of the side has been right, especially when City do not have the ball, while there are also questions about the dressing room.
Emmanuel Adebayor's body language and the way Robinho goes missing away from home are problems that need addressing very quickly.
Verdict: 2-1
dazby wrote:Got the kit on, appropriate shorts and the new city watch. No Fergie time today folks. COME THE FUCK ON CITY!!!!!
Yesterdays Game... wrote:Feeling rather postive about today, so good luck City lets some them what we can do!
MARKMAKAVELI wrote:Yeah it's one of those games that is set up for us to hammer Stoke.
C'mon City, 3 points and 3 goals please!!
Blackadder wrote:Yesterdays Game... wrote:Feeling rather postive about today, so good luck City lets some them what we can do!
Nice signature. Last time my missus did the splits on a polished wood floor it took three of us to lift her up again due to the suction.
Yesterdays Game... wrote:Feeling rather postive about today, so good luck City lets some them what we can do!
ruralblue wrote:Given, Zab, Sylv, Toure, Komp, Ireland, NDJ, Barry, Petrov, Robi, Tevez.
Subs - Bellamy, Richards, Garrido, Boyata, Vidal, Weiss & Taylor
Petrov starting on the left for Bellers?, Robbie playing just behind Tevez I reckon. Is Boyata from the youth set up?
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