Man City vs Wigan
The home team has been nothing short of outstanding since the first day of the season. City has won four of their last five encounters with Wigan to nil and they were breathtaking in the 5-1 victory at Tottenham before the international break with Samir Nasri, Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and David Silva looking like they had all been playing together for five seasons. However, Mancini could be facing some injury problems so many top quality players have been away on international duty. Nonetheless, the Italian has such a magnificent squad they will be strong whichever team they put out so they'll have no problems against Wigan.
Samir Nasri is set to make his home debut for Manchester City despite having picked up a suspected broken finger on international duty with France and Micah Richards, who left the England squad after complaining about a tight hamstring, is also expected to get the nod from Roberto Mancini. Nigel De Jong, on the other hand, may not be risked in the centre of midfield after he pulled out of international duty with the Netherlands due to an ankle knock.
Wigan will travel to the Etihad Stadium with a fairly clean bill of health, with only long-term absentees Steve Gohouri and Antolin Alcaraz unavailable for selection. Roberto Martinez may exercise caution and opt for a five-man midfield and therefore leave Franco Di Santo and new boy Shaun Maloney on the bench.
Alcaraz's injury may open the door for Patrick van Aanholt to make his Latics bow but with the Spanish manager having spoken of his desire to ease the Chelsea loanee into the team slowly, Adrian Lopea is more likely to start in the centre of defence. The visiting fans may well see a debutant start, however, with former Almeria winger Albert Crusat fit to take up position on the left wing.
With Manchester City unbeaten in their last five games against Wigan, this match should see the home team as a banker’s bet. Man City to win 3-0 or 4-0.
Stoke City vs Liverpool
The hosts are expected to hand club record signing Peter Crouch a start, with the former Anfield hero likely to replace one of Jonathan Walters or Kenwyne Jones, while Wilson Palacios is also set for his debut, possibly alongside hamstring injury victim Rory Delap, with Tony Pulis having no other significant new injury worries or suspensions hanging over his players.
The Stoke boss may opt to use Robert Huth as a right-back to allow Jonathan Woodgate to partner Ryan Shawcross at the back, as he did when his side held Chelsea to goalless draw on the opening day of the Premier League season.
Kenny Dalglish has confirmed that Charlie Adam should be ready after picking up an injury in Scotland's 2-2 draw with the Czech Republic last week, while full-back Martin Kelly is expected to be out after pulling up with a hamstring complaint in Liverpool's last game, against Bolton. Glen Johnson has only recently returned to training and may not be ready to start, which could see John Flanagan coming in at right-back.
The visitors are also without captain Steven Gerrard, who is still recovering from a long-term groin problem, but are able to field deadline day signings Craig Bellamy and Sebastian Coates. Andy Carroll looks set to be on the bench after Liverpool swept aside Bolton with the giant striker on the sidelines, with Luis Suarez and Dirk Kuyt forming a solid partnership.
Stoke is unbeaten against Saturday's visitors in the Premier League at the Britannia Stadium. They held Rafael Benitez's title-chasing 2009 side to a goalless draw, then Robert Huth popped up late on to deny the Reds three points a year later before they bullied Roy Hodgson's meek men last season. Even Chelsea struggled to break down a Stoke side now further bolstered by the arrival of midfield enforcer Wilson Palacios, we see no reason to expect Liverpool to find things easier. With that, the home team looks favorable to secure a low-scoring draw from this fixture, despite Liverpool coming out victorious the last time these two sides met in the Premier League. A small wager on 1-1 or UNDER 2.5 goals.
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