Manchester City will be able to keep the pressure on the sides above them in the Premier League table if they can take all three points against Stoke City this weekend.
Following their disappointment against Barcelona in the Champions League earlier this week, Manuel Pellegrini's men will welcome the return of Sergio Aguero and Matija Nastasic, who are both expected to be available this weekend.
Aguero, who is the club's top scorer this season, has been out for three weeks with a hamstring injury while the defender has been struggling with a knee complaint.
City have looked strong all season, but they have struggled in the last couple of weeks, winning just one of their last four matches in all competitions.
Meanwhile, Mark Hughes will be hoping that his side can capitalise on those struggles and increase the distance between themselves and the relegation zone.
The Potters, who sit 14th in the table, also have players returning from injury, with Andy Wilkinson and Matthew Etherington both expected to be included in the matchday squad.
Following a difficult run in January, Stoke are on a three-match unbeaten run in the league, which has helped them move away from the relegation zone.
Stoke have proved a difficult team for City to beat in the Premier League, with three of their last five meeting ending in a draw, including their most recent match in September.
Recent form
Man City: WWLDWL
Stoke: LLLWDD
Possible starting lineups
Man City: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Nastasic, Kolarov, Navas, Milner, Toure, Silva, Negredo, Aguero
Stoke: Begovic, Cameron, Shawcross, Wilson, Pieters, Odemwingie, Adam, Whelan, Etherington, Walters, Crouch
Sports Mole says: 2-0
Sian Cowper
