The Potters host Manchester City this Wednesday evening in a game that sees two sides who are in good form of late and both looking to secure a spot in the last eight of the FA Cup, and a trip to Chelsea awell. Stoke have a decent home record this season and have already beaten nine sides whilst only losing three times, and should have beaten Manchester City lasy week but for a shocking disallowed goal. Manchester City have been sensational at home but struggled away and only have three away wins all season. In the 46 matches between these sides at Stoke, the Potters have won 27, the visitors 11 and eight have been drawn. Last season when the pair clashed at The Brit the game ended 1-0 to the Potters and last week the game ended 1-1, even though Stoke had a perfectly legitimate goal disallowed in injury time. Overall Stoke have 34 wins to Man City's 40. The referee is Steve Bennett. The Kent official last took charge of Stoke in the 3-0 home win over Blackburn two weeks ago and also refereed the 2-0 opening day win over Burnley. He hasn't refereed Man City this season, and only reffed the Citizens once last season, a 2-1 away defeat at Wigan. Prediction: City show they are well up for the game with a few firm tackles early on and there greater will to win earn them a trip to Chelsea in the quarter finals
Stoke and unbeaten in ten games, their longest unbeaten run as a top flight outfit in 35 years, sit 11th in the Premier League and seem certain to secure another season of top flight football. Manchester City are flying in the Premier League but will have to juggle the craving of silverware with the need for a top four finish to help attract the players they can afford.
The Met Office report that there will be heavy snow, temperatures of 0 degrees celsius, poor visibility and a strong 14 mph wind, with gusts of 33mph.