Stoke City vs Man City

REVIEW
Michael Owen is among several new Stoke signings hoping to make their Potters debuts in Saturday's Premier League clash with Manchester City at the Britannia Stadium. Former England striker Owen, who joined last week having previously been a free agent, says he is fit to play and will be assessed by manager Tony Pulis, while Steven Nzonzi and Maurice Edu could also make their first appearances for the Staffordshire club. Fellow midfielder and transfer deadline day arrival Charlie Adam may get a first start after making his bow as a substitute in the 2-2 draw at Wigan on September 1. Winger Matthew Etherington and defender Andy Wilkinson, recently injured with a hamstring problem and concussion respectively, could be back in the team, but midfielder Jamie Ness (groin) will not be available.
Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero could return from a knee injury as the champions visit Stoke in the Premier League on Saturday. Fellow forward Mario Balotelli is clear to play after undergoing minor eye surgery during the international break but midfielder Gareth Barry (abdominal) is not yet fully fit and defender Micah Richards (ankle) remains sidelined. Defenders Maicon and Matija Nastastic, midfielder Javi Garcia and winger Scott Sinclair - all deadline-day signings last month - could play some part.
MANAGER QUOTES
Tony Pulis (Stoke City) on the prospect of Michael Owen making his debut: "From what the fitness lads say, he's come back a lot fitter than we thought he would. But he knows there's a lot more work to be done with the ball to get his sharpness. He wants to play, like every player. We are going to have to gauge it."
Roberto Mancini (Manchester City): "We need to think only about Stoke, we never win there, difficult pitch but it's better that we have this game now rather than at the end of the year. I think they have good players, this year they brought in new players. They are very strong, tall, but with this kind of football they are always in the Premier League and for them that is important."
MATCH STATS
Stoke City have allowed their opponents the joint-fewest shots on target in the Premier League (7).
Stoke have scored exactly one goal in each of their last four Premier League home games against Man City.
Stoke have only lost one of their last 11 home games against the teams who finished in last season’s top six (W3 D7 L1).
The last three Premier League games at the Britannia Stadium between Stoke & Man City have ended with a 1-1 scoreline.
Man City won their first two visits to the Britannia Stadium, but have not won any of the last five, drawing three and losing two in all competitions.
Stoke have won three and lost none of their last eight Premier League home matches, but have drawn the last four in a row.
Carlos Tevez has scored four goals in six Premier League games against the Potters.
Stoke have won just one of their last 14 Premier League matches (W1 D9 L4).
Man City have won eight and lost none of their last nine Premier League games.
Yaya Toure has averaged 99 passes per game so far in the Premier League – a divisional high. No player from Stoke has yet made 99 passes in total over their three matches.