Stoke City vs Manchester City: Premier League match preview

A look ahead to Wednesday's Premier League fixture at the Britannia Stadium

Mark Hughes recorded a surprise win against his former club the last time these two met in the Premier League and the Welshman will be hoping his side can extend their unbeaten run to four when the Sky Blues make the trip to the Britannia on Wednesday.

Stoke City have enjoyed a successful campaign under Mark Hughes, who boasts a win percentage of 36 per cent – 7 per cent better than predecessor Tony Pulis – and the Potters come into the game on the back of a point gained late on at Newcastle, courtesy of Peter Crouch.

The defending champions approach the game slightly worse for wear at the moment after picking up a single point at home to Premier League strugglers Hull City on the weekend – James Milner salvaging a point in stoppage time.

The Sky Blues now sit seven points behind league leaders Chelsea and have just seven points from their last six games.

New signing Wilfried Bony, who has a record of three goals in three games against Stoke City in the Premier League, will miss the fixture alongside fellow countryman Yaya Toure – a player Manchester City have been unable to win without since his departure to the Africa Cup of Nations.

Meanwhile the Potters will be without a number of first-team players who are subject to the physio room, including captain Ryan Shawcross.

KICK-OFF: Wednesday 7.45pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Manchester City 0 Stoke City 1 (Diouf), Premier League, August 2014

Manchester City 1 (Toure) Stoke City 0, Premier League, February 2014

Stoke City 0 Manchester City 0, Premier League, September 2013

STATS…

Manchester City have scored in their last 18 Premier League away trips and have lost just two of their last 25.

If Manchester City record a victory over the Potters they will have reached a total of 1000 points in the Premier League.

For the first time since November 2009 Manchester City have not won in four consecutive Premier League games – a run that resulted in Mark Hughes losing his job as manager.

Sergio Aguero has scored three in four in the Premier League against Stoke City.

ODDS…

Stoke City to win: 5.75

Manchester City to win: 1.7

Draw: 3.8

TV: Highlights on BBC1 at 10:45pm