Football News: Premier League Match Preview Monday 12th March 2018

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Monday 12th March 2018

Stoke City v Manchester City 8pm kick off

Diouf (dislocated shoulder) out
Grant (wrist injury) out
Ireland (calf strain) out
Wimmer (fitness) doubt

Five matches without a win has dropped Stoke into the drop zone, though this game in hand could, if they picked up a win, move them out of it. Another draw, to add to the four in five games they have, would leave them still stranded in the bottom 3, with games running out for Paul Lambert to rescue them. It is difficult to see them getting anything out of this game other than if Man City's players get complacent because of their huge lead in the Prem. They just do not have the players to take the game to their opponents the way teams like Bristol City and Wolves did to give them trouble.
Most important player: Xherdan Shaqiri. Can the Swiss winger continue to rescue the Potters from their lack of quality play and tactical failings?

Aguero (knee injury expected return 31st March) out
Delph (muscle injury) late fitness test
Fernandinho (hamstring injury) late fitness test
Sterling (hamstring injury) slight doubt
Mendy (ACL injury expected return 7th April) out

It is business as usual for the Cityzens as they stroll to the Premier League title with most of the teams rolling over for them and just looking to keep the score down. As the season heads to a conclusion that should change, as the desperate need for points means they will be forced to attack and push Man City in the final few weeks. Not that it will make much difference as the lead they have already built up should be more than enough to see them over the line with plenty to spare.
Most important player: Fernandinho. If the Brazilian is fully fit, there is little chance of complacency affecting Man City.

Defining Battle: the defining battle is all down to Paul Lambert and whether he has the guts to go at Man City or not. If he does, then Stoke have a puncher's chance of beating the Mancunians. If they sit back and look to defend, then they will have little, even no, chance of anything other than a defeat.

Editors' Predictions:
Ed002 - 0-4
Ed003 - 0-6
Ed004 - 1-3
Ed007 - 0-2
Ed018 - 1-3
Ed025 - 0-2
Ed033 - 1-3

Editor's Predictions Table
1. Ed025 - 184 points
2. Ed002 - 183 points
3. Ed033 - 181 points
4. Ed007 - 177 points
5. Ed018 - 176 points
6. Ed004 - 173 points
7. Ed003 - 167 points

*1 point is awarded for the correct result, 3 points for the correct score.
**updated 9th March 2018 (not including results for that day)

Written by Tris Burke March 12 2018 06:11:13