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Here we are! The second Premier League game of the season for Manchester City is just a few minutes away, and it's a tough one for Pep Guardiola's side, who face Stoke City on the road in a historically difficult match for the Citizens.
The Britannia/bet365 Stadium is ready...
Two hours to kick-off #SCFC ⚪️ pic.twitter.com/CBPJdsb1Od
— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) August 20, 2016
... Manchester City have arrived...
Mornin', boys! #stokevcity #mcfc pic.twitter.com/rX0DO5peet
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 20, 2016
... And the lineups are out!
*****
Stoke City starting lineup (4-2-3-1):
Given | Bardsley, Shawcross, Wollschied, Pieters | Whelan, Imbula | Bojan, Allen, Arnautovic | Diouf
Substitutes from: Haugaard, Muniesa, Adam, Walters, Cameron, Crouch, Ramadan
Man City starting lineup (4-1-4-1 / 4-3-3):
Caballero | Zabaleta, Stones, Otamendi, Kolarov | Fernandinho | Navas, De Bruyne, Silva, Sterling | Agüero
Substitutes from: Hart, Fernando, Maffeo, Nolito, Delph, Iheanacho, Clichy
*****
Only one change from the City lineup that destroyed Steaua Bucharest, with Jesus Navas starting ahead of Nolito. Bacary Sagna misses this match through injury. Other than that, nothing new: Joe Hart still on the bench, Yaya Touré still out of the team. Look for Zabaleta and Kolarov to function as midfielders again, and Raheem Sterling will look to continue his great start under Guardiola with another intense, attacking performance here.
Stoke will miss their top player as Xherdan Shaqiri failed a late fitness test and is not even on the bench, with new signing Joe Allen making his first start for the Potters. The always dangerous Bojan Krkic and Marko Arnautovic will start on the wings, and will bring problems to the City defense. Oh boy, this will be nervous.
COME ON CITY!