Man City v Stoke Betting Odds, Preview and Predictions

Can Stoke frustrate champions at the Etihad?

Shawcross - Robinson
Shawcross - Robinson © GEPA pictures

Manchester City v Stoke Betting Preview
The reigning Premier League champions had to be at their scrapping and resilient best again on the weekend as they overcame Norwich in a thrilling 4-3 win at Carrow Road. That kept them within seven points of leaders Man United, while Stoke continued their long unbeaten run in the Premier League at the Britannia as they battled for a point in a 3-3 draw against relegation threatened Southampton. A great looking match here, as the in-form Stoke will be expectant of taking something away from the Etihad.

Manchester City v Stoke Betting Odds at online bookmaker Bet365
Man City  1/4, Draw 9/2, Stoke 12/1

Manchester City v Stoke Recommended Bet:
It hasn’t been a festive period of great cheer for City, as they have lost ground on leaders United in the title race. But they bounced back from a Boxing Day defeat against Sunderland to scrap out three points against Norwich on the weekend. It was more scrappy, tense stuff from the Champions, but it was an important three points nonetheless. After scoring just one goal in their two matches prior to their encounter at Carrow Road, they at least burst back into life up front with a double from Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero getting back on the scoresheet. They should have been out of sight at being 3-1 in front after 50 minutes, but Norwich would not lie down. So now another match where they could be frustrated because the mean Stoke defence don’t give too much away and could make life hard for City. But City’s record at home this season, with seven wins, two draws and just the one defeat should put them in pretty good stead. The champions have scored in every home match so far and have conceded at a rate of under a goal per game on home soil in the Premier League this term. Good enough to keep Stoke quiet one would presume. 68% of all City’s league goals this season have come in the second half of matches and they have scored first in exactly half of all their matches. They still are not looking totally convincing in any aspect and now have only one clean sheet in their last six matches. Could be another long afternoon at home for City. It took a 90th minute winner from Gareth Barry to squeeze past a resilient Reading side in their last home match. Could be more of the same.

Stoke City continue to impress in their own unique way. The Potters are not a side you turn to to look for goals, but they have netted three in each of their last two matches now. They trounced Liverpool 3-1 on Boxing Day and then a late wonder strike from Cameron Jerome earned them a point at the Britannia against Southampton on Saturday. Stoke’s fight once again was on show, as they fought back from 3-1 down and with ten men as well. Tony Pulis’s men are now ten matches unbeaten in the Premier League, the longest active unbeaten run in the top flight. Their point on Saturday also means that they remain unbeaten at home for the season as well, with five wins and five draws. Until their blowout on Saturday, Stoke’s defence had been immense, conceding fourteen goals all season. On the road they have conceded at exactly an average of a goal per game, however, they have only netted seven times. So it is likely they will try and close down City as much as possible with organised, physical defense and pump long balls forward. Right now, with City a little shaky they could be good enough for a point, but they have not scored on their last four visits to the Etihad in the Premier League, so a Draw/Man City Half Time/Full Time bet for a price of 13/5 at online bookmaker Bet365 looks good value.

Form
Man City LLWWLW, Stoke WDDDWD

Stat Attack
Stoke have lost their last four at Man City without scoring a goal
The last two corresponding fixtures have ended in 3-0 wins for City
Stoke are unbeaten in their last ten Premier League matches
Stoke have conceded the fewest goals in the league this season
68% of all City’s goals this season have come in the second half of games

Online bookmaker Promotion
City are the favourites to take three points, but could they be frustrated by the in form Stoke? It could be worth taking some 0-0 Bore Draw Insurance at online bookmaker Bet365, who will refund all losing Correct Score, Scorecast and Half Time/Full Time bets placed on the match, if it ends goalless. The highly rated online bookmaker Bet365 offer up to a free £200 bet for new customers registering an account as they will match the value of your first deposit on a new account.