Projected Stoke City Line-Up to Face Manchester City
Stoke City will travel to Manchester on Wednesday, to take on Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City at the Etihad in the Premier League.
Mark Hughes’ side have been impressive in recent weeks and have moved into the top half of the league standings, currently sitting in the ninth place. Confidence will be high among the Stoke players following an impressive 2-0 win against Middlesbrough on Saturday and they will be hoping to put in a strong display against the City side that thrashed them 4-1 at home earlier this season.
Xherdan Shaqiri remains a doubt for the game, while defender Bruno Martins Indi will also be assessed after his knee injury against Middlesbrough over the weekend. Jack Butland and Stephen Ireland remain long-term absentees for Stoke. Here is how we expect the Potters to line up on Wednesday:
Stoke City Predicted Line-Up
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Lee Grant (GK)
Kept a clean sheet on Saturday against Middlesbrough but will have to go through a bigger test against the dangerous City attack.
Glen Johnson (RB)
The former Liverpool man played a good game after coming back into the line-up in the weekend. Should hold onto his place ahead of Phil Bardsley.
Ryan Shawcross (CB)
The captain will be tasked to keep the in-form Sergio Aguero under the wraps using his physicality and strength.
Marc Muniesa (CB)
Bruno Martins Indi was taken off late in the game on Saturday due to a nasty looking injury. With question marks over his availability, Muniesa should start alongside Shawcross for Stoke.
Erik Pieters (LB)
The Potters’ left-back will keep his place in the backline but will have a hard time going up against the likes of Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane.
Geoff Cameron (DM)
The American put in a solid display in the middle of the park on Saturday. He offers Hughes the control and the defensive nous in the midfield and should start ahead of Charlie Adam.
Glenn Whelan (DM)
The Irishman is an important cog in the midfield for Stoke. His presence will be key against a rampant Manchester City side.
Ramadan Sobhi (RW)
The Egyptian is slowly starting to show why he is so highly regarded by the manager. And after a good showing against Middlesbrough, we expect him to start once again for Stoke on Wednesday.
Joe Allen (CAM)
The summer arrival has been brilliant for Stoke this season. He will once again start in the No. 10 role for the Potters against City.
Marko Arnautovic (LW)
The Austrian scored twice before being taken off with a knock over the weekend. However, he should have recovered from it and will be raring to again on Wednesday.
Peter Crouch (ST)
The elder statesman continues to prove his worth at the top of the attack for Stoke. He will act as the target man once again in the midweek fixture.