STOKE SET FOR CITY SHOW DOWN

Stoke City is set to meet with the Pep Guardiola-led side in the second game of the English Premier League on Saturday, August 20, 2016. Stoke City are in the lower half of the table as they place 11th after their draw in a keenly contested game against newly promoted side Middlesbrough.

Stoke City were impressive getting a point from Boro despite being away. Stoke City 40-year old shot stopper Given started ahead of Jack Butland as he was out injured. He enjoyed a decent showing stopping a goal-bound effort from Gaston Ramirez after Stewart Downing sent a well taken ball within the first ten minutes of the game.

Stoke were yet to settle into the game and paid dearly when they conceded their first goal of the season few minutes later. Albert Adomah sent a nice cross from the left for Ramirez. Ramirez sent the ball back across the goal, allowing for new signing Negredo to score as he climbed higher than defender Philipp Wollschield. The players celebrated like they'd just won the jackpot at netbet!

The goal calmed things down at the club with the visitors getting more put of their half. The Teessiders continued with their pres but took a big blow when Marten de Roon picked up hamstring injury. They almost got a second goal through Ramirez but it clipped the post.

Stoke’s Xherdan Shaqiri wasted a clear chance at goal as he fired into the side netting. He made for it soon enough with 23 minutes remainring. He sent a well taken free kick into the net, beating Victor Valdes. Former Barcelona player Bojan Krkic was pulled out by coach Mark Hughes to allow for new signing Joe Allen to get his debut 12 minutes from the final whistle. Krkic will be competing with Gleen Whelan, record signing Giannelli Imbula and Allen for space at the middle when they play Man City on Saturday.