Fernandinho and Raheem Sterling make welcome returns from injury as the Blues look to restore a 16-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
Starting XI
Ederson, Walker, Kompany (c), Otamendi, Zinchenko, Fernandinho, De Bruyne, D Silva, Sterling, Sane, Jesus
Subs: Bravo, Danilo, Stones, Gundogan, Laporte, Bernardo, Toure
Tactics
The Blues will go 4-3-3 (plus variants as the game progresses) with the youthful forward line of Leroy Sane, Sterling and Gabriel Jesus.
The midfield trio of Fernandinho, Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva reunite with the central defensive pairing of Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Otamendi playing alongside each other in what is an unbeaten combination this campaign.
Stoke line-up
📝 One change for the Potters against @ManCity this evening as @JeseRodriguez10 replaces @MameDiouf99.
— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) March 12, 2018
STARTING XI: Butland; Bauer, Zouma, M. Indi, Stafylidis; Badou, Cameron, Allen; Shaqiri, Jese, Choupo-Moting.#SCFC 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/E7ngnPmI9t
Blues look for sweet 16 again
City go to relegation-threatened Stoke looking to gain the three points that will edge the Premier League title closer to the Etihad.
A win at the bet365 and away to Everton would set up an incredible Manchester derby where the Blues could be crowned champions with a win over United.
It’s a scenario that is very much on the cards as things stand, though there are plenty of blanks still to be filled in-between.
Stats and facts
City are chasing a first league double since 1999 when the Potters and Blues were in Division Two. City won 1-0 at Stoke and then 2-1 at Maine Road.
While Stoke have won just one of their last 10 games, they’ve lost just once under new manager Paul Lambert in six matches.
The Blues hit a season-high 7-2 in the first meeting between the clubs earlier this campaign.
