Manchester City will look to continue their excellent form when they host a Stoke City side fresh from a comfortable win over Middlesbrough. The Sky Blues have been fantastic ever since their setbacks against Everton and Liverpool and Pep Guardiola has gone on the offensive with his team selection and has lifted whatever shackles there was on his players. He has deployed attack-minded players like De Bruyne and Toure in midfield and has given them license to create opportunities for the fast and direct duo of Raheem Sterling and the excellent Leroy Sane. And with someone like Sergio Aguero there to finish off the moves with Silva orchestrating the whole affair, the attack part looks well taken care of.
There are question marks regarding the defence and Pep knows they will remain until the end of the season. He is willing to live with that and has decided to try and outscore the opposition and a vintage example of this new approach was evident in the 5-3 modern Champions League classic against Monaco.
Against Stoke, it might not be so free flowing and will most likely be on the lines of the match against Sunderland, with the Potters sitting deep and not allowing Sane and Sterling to run in behind but it is a must win match for Manchester City if they are to solidify their place in the Top 2.
PREDICTED MANCHESTER CITY XI VS STOKE CITY (4-1-4-1)
DEFENCE
Caballero is expected to continue in goal and he has been extremely lucky and suitably competent for the team. Zabaleta is likely to get a start with Sagna afforded a rest after his exertions against Sunderland. Pep is likely to persist with the defensive pairing of John Stones and Kolarov, which will see Clichy line-up at left-back.
MIDFIELD
Either one of Yaya Toure or Fernandinho is likely to get a rest and it might well be Toure. Fernandinho will then play in the holding midfield role and look to impress in his staple position. Slightly ahead of him, Silva and Kevin De Bruyne might line up and the Belgian will be fresh after a brief substitute appearance in the last game.
ATTACK
Leroy Sane will look to carry his sparkling form into the match against the Potters and on the opposite wing, it is likely to be Sterling looking to do the same. Sergio Aguero will start up front and will be the main threat in terms of goal-scoring for the Potters.
CABALLERO
ZABALETA- STONES- KOLAROV- CLICHY
FERNANDINHO
STERLING- SILVA- DE BRUYNE- SANE
AGUERO
