Match Preview: City vs Stoke (Fa Cup 4th Round)

With City in no question their best form of the campaign, can Roberto Mancini finally go away to the Britannia Stadium, the home of Stoke City and take home a victory. Yet another convincing performances by the Blues last week means they are the only team now in the entire country not to concede a goal in this calendar year. A fleet City will no doubt be hoping to match against the side they beat at Wembley in 2011 to finally end their 35 year trophy drought.

Javi Garcia scoring on his debut against Stoke in September

City will have no excuses coming into the tie after a very impressive run of form over the past six weeks having only slipped up once, away at Sunderland, since Robin Van Persie's last minute winner for United over the champions in early December. City also have no injury concerns or suspensions, despite Pablo Zabaleta expected to make a recovery after he picked up a knock against Fulham in a collision with Brede Hangeland.

City's recent form away to Stoke is one that worries many City fans. Having lost one under Mark Hughes in January 2008 and drawn every other game there since 1-1 (in normal time), with the return fixture resulting in a 3-0 victory each time. I can't help but feel a 1-1 draw would be taken if offered to Mancini's men as we speak. However, City should be going in there full of optimism and hope of finally being able to end their Britannia hoodoo. This will be the third time in four seasons that City face Stoke in the Cup. With both sides being victorious on one occasion each. 

Stoke go into the game in their poorest form of the season having conceded more than ten goals in their last five games at home, a fleet unheard of a matter of weeks previous. After the hammering they received in their last home game against Chelsea,  I can't help but feel this is a Stoke team out for revenge and justification by turning over the Champions at home again.

The form City are in, will only make competition for places even tougher, which is no doubt a valuable asset for any side. With Sergio Aguero looking for his first start since his hamstring tear against Stoke on New Years Day, who will then make way? The return of the promising Jack Rodwell further adds competition in the defensive midfield areas along with Samir Nasri trying to regain his spot he lost to James Milner after getting sent off away at Norwich during the festive period. 

Predicted Team:

Prediction: City 2 Stoke 1. I fancy the home side to create a few chances upon the City goal, but I expect City also to be too strong for Stoke. With goals from Sergio Aguero, and David Silva to be meet by a Stoke goal from Irishman Jonathan Walters.