Premier League preview: Stoke v Manchester City

The improving Stoke City will have their mettle tested when they host star-studded Manchester City at Britannia Stadium on Saturday.

Stoke are eighth on the Premier League table with 19 points, ahead of Liverpool on goal difference and three points clear of Bolton in fifth.

The Potters find themselves inside the top 10 after routing West Bromwich Albion 3-0 last time out, their third straight victory following wins over Liverpool (2-0) and Birmingham City (3-2).

It is an incredible turnaround for Tony Pulis’ men, who had lost four straight coming into the match against Birmingham.

But it could come to an end against Manchester City, who shook off a patch of indifferent form to thump Fulham 4-1 on Sunday.

Captain Carlos Tevez scored a brace in that match, breaking a month-long drought for the Argentinean striker.

Yaya Toure and Pablo Zabaleta also got on the scoresheet, the former picking up his first goal in two months and the latter his first of the season.

Combine this with the likely return of Mario Balotelli, who has served his three-game suspension earned against West Bromwich Albion, and Roberto Mancini’s side are again looking dangerous.

In fact, Mancini will have a near-full squad to choose from for the first time this season, with Zabaleta the only exception.

The full-back incurred an automatic one-game ban with his fifth yellow card at Craven Cottage and will be replaced by either Jerome Boateng or Micah Richards.

But with Mancini’s high-priced squad finally injury-free and at his disposal, expect to see more of the kind of attacking, devastating football the Sky Blues produced against Fulham.

Pulis is certainly bracing for the worst, especially given winger Jermaine Pennant limped off with a hamstring injury at The Hawthorns.

The Stoke boss witnessed Manchester City’s demolition of Fulham and warned supporters he expects a similarly emphatic performance at Britannia Stadium.

“It was a fantastic performance, as good as I’ve seen in the Premier League this season,” Pulis said.

“It’s good our supporters have also seen just how good City are because we’ll need them behind us on Saturday.”

“We’ll need a special, special effort on and off the field, just like the Liverpool game last time out.”

A special effort will almost certainly require goals, and Pulis will be hoping Republic of Ireland international Jon Walters and Kenwyne Jones can continue their recent run of form up front.

Mamady Sidibe joins Pennant on the bench for the Potters in the only injury news for either side.