Man City v Stoke: hosts poised to coast to victory

Manchester City host Stoke this New Year’s Day and it’s hard to see any upsets at the Etihad.

Roberto Mancini had demanded his players start finding the net more regularly following a disappointing first half to the season that’s seen them drop seven points behind Manchester United.

They responded with four strikes against a normally hardy Norwich side at the weekend and they’ve had no problems finding the net in home games against Tony Pulis’ men.

The last two encounters between these sides in Manchester has seen the Citizens run out convincing 3-0 winners and the same score can be backed this time at 13/2.

With the hosts looking far more threatening in front of goal than they have for a while against the Canaries, backing a home win and for there to be over 2.5 goals in this clash looks a tempting proposition at 4/5.

Meanwhile, backing anything other than a home win in the match betting stakes appears pretty foolhardy when you consider the Manchester side’s brilliant record at the Etihad.

They’ve lost just once there in the league over the past two seasons (a 3-2 defeat against Manchester United earlier in December) and, while the 3/10 offered on another win for Mancini’s men may not make you rich, it’s the only one really worth backing.

However, if you can see a mini-upset then the draw is currently available at a pretty meaty 4/1.

The last two encounters between these sides (both admittedly at Stoke) have seen the Potters pick up a point against the defending Premier League champions and another 1-1 draw can be backed at 10/1.

All odds and markets accurate as of publication’s time and date