We present to your attention the forecast for the match Stoke City - Manchester City, which will take place on 03/12/18 as part of the 30th round of the English Premier League. Will Stoke be able to resist the townspeople or will the outcome of this match be predetermined?
At the very beginning of our forecast, I would like to note the bookmaker odds for the match Stoke City - Manchester City. Needless to say, bookmakers, in principle, do not allow even the slightest possibility of the home team winning. Manchester open as clear favorites with odds of 1.20 to 1.25 to win, while odds of 13 to 15.25 are offered for Stoke to win.
The advantage in favor of the London club is quite understandable; this match is a classic confrontation between the first and last lines of the tournament. There is also one nuance in this match - Manchester is entirely focused on winning the Champions League, while in the Premier League things are going more than well for them.
Stoke need to earn at least one point to leave the relegation group and they can get it in the event of a draw in this meeting.
The question arises: will Manchester continue to earn points to maintain a confident Premier League championship or settle for a draw?
Brief analysis of the match Stoke City - Manchester City
Of course, it’s not even worth talking about a possible victory for Stoke; the Londoners would never agree to defeat from such a club, but a draw is quite possible if the home team aggressively defends their goal. There is no point in Manchester wearing out the main squad against a team of this level.
What adds interest to this event is the fact that Stoke have drawn 4 times in their last 10 matches. Moreover, they managed to demonstrate a fairly confident game with a strong middle standings Premier League - Watford and Leicester.
Otherwise, the home team of this match does not show any good results and over the last 10 meetings they have won only once and lost 5 times.
Manchester City are doing just fine. They confidently beat Basel in the Champions League with a total score of 5:2 over two matches, advancing to the quarter-finals without much difficulty. In the English Premier League, the townspeople convincingly occupy first place with a 13-point gap from second place.
Over the last 10 matches, Manchester won 7 times, lost 2 and drew 1.
Moreover, the defeat of the Londoners should not be taken seriously - the loss to Basel was caused by the lack of need for victory, since based on the results of 2 matches, Manchester confidently advanced further. The defeat to Wigan in the FA Cup is easily explained by the lack of desire of the townspeople to be torn into 3 fronts in parallel.
Bet on the match Stoke City - Manchester City
It is likely that Manchester City will play a rather cheeky game for their own pleasure and Pep Guardiola's charges will be quite free to capitalize on dangerous moments.
The most interesting outcome is Total Over 2-2.5 for the entire match.
Manchester City spent most of its history in the second and third divisions of the English championship. The first serious success came only in the 1904/05 season, when the “townspeople” managed to win the FA Cup. The club then faced various problems, such as financial sanctions for breaking FA rules and a fire at its home stadium, which again knocked it out of major competitions for several decades. The 1934/35 season became significant in the history of the “citizens” - having scored over a hundred goals in the season, the Manchester club became the champion of England for the first time in its history.
The team was among the founders of the English Premier League. However, the first decade in the new format did not turn out well for the “citizens”: the club regularly flew out of the elite until it dropped to the third division in the late 90s. The club's main successes are associated with the Arab company Abu Dhabi United Group and its head Sheikh Mansour. Having signed a contract to purchase 90% of City shares in 2008, Mansour promised that in a couple of years world stars would play in every position, and the club itself would become another giant of the Old World.
In the seasons that followed, Mansour kept his promise, investing over £1 billion in the Manchester team and adding players such as Edin Dzeko (27 million), Mario Balotelli (26 million), Aleksandar Kolarov (20 million) , Yaya Toure (26 million), David Silva (25.3 million), Sergio Aguero (37 million) and many other stars of the Old World. Thanks to the investments made, the club managed to win the English Championship in its third run, beating last seconds match of the last round of the 2011/12 season against QPR and ahead of Manchester United in terms of goal difference.
On June 14, 2013, Manchester City was led by Manuel Pellegrini, who signed a three-year contract. On March 2, 2014, City won the first tournament under the leadership of the Chilean, winning the League Cup, and two months later the Citizens became champions of England. Also, under his leadership, MS reached the playoffs of the Champions League for the first time in history, but were knocked out by Barcelona at the 1/8 finals.
The next season was unsuccessful: the team was unable to win a single domestic trophy, and in the Champions League they were again knocked out at the 1/8 final stage by the same Catalan Barcelona. The third and final season for Pellegrini was controversial: City performed inconsistently in England and was only able to take fourth place, although the Citizens won the League Cup by beating Liverpool.
In the Champions League, Man City reached the semi-final stage for the first time in its history, where it lost to Real Madrid with a minimum score on aggregate of two matches. At the end of the season, Pellegrini left the Manchester club, as on February 1, 2016, Manchester City announced the signing of a three-year contract with Pep Guardiola, whose salary was 20 million euros per year.
On July 1 of the same year, City announced the official appointment of Guardiola to the post of City coach. Under Guardiola, a kind of revolution was carried out at Manchester City: the main goalkeeper Joe Hart was sent on loan to Torino, and his place was taken by the Chilean Claudio Bravo. On September 10, Guardiola won his first victory in the Manchester derby at the head of MS, beating Manchester United 2-1. At the start of the season, the team went on a ten-game winning streak, and then the results dropped sharply. In the spring, Manchester City was eliminated from the Champions League, losing to Monaco in the 1/8 finals, followed by elimination from the FA Cup. In the national championship, City was able to finish the season in third place.
Before the start of the 2017/18 season, Guardiola carried out a luxurious transfer campaign, inviting several famous performers to the club. The main goal of the Spanish coach was to strengthen the club's defensive line. Kyle Walker came to the club from Tottenham for 51.5 million euros, Danilo from Real Madrid for 25.5 million euros, Benjamin Mendy from Monaco for 58 million euros, and Benfica goalkeeper Ederson for 40 million euros A noticeable strengthening of the team helped the “citizens” have a successful start in all tournaments.
Manchester City went through the first 22 rounds of the English Championship without defeat, losing in the 23rd round away to the Liverpool team (3:4). After 24 rounds played, the “townspeople” are 12 points ahead of their closest competitor. In addition, Guardiola's team made it to the League Cup final, where they will play against London's Arsenal. City also made it to the knockout stages of the Champions League, finishing first in a group with Napoli, Shakhtar and PSV. In the 1/8 finals, the “townspeople” will play against the Swiss club “Basel”.
In February 2018, Manchester City won the first title of the season, beating London's Arsenal in the English League Cup final (3:0).
In the first match of the Champions League playoffs, Manchester City defeated Basel (4:0) on the road, and then unexpectedly lost at home (1:2), but still made it to the quarter finals, where they ended up in "Liverpool".
In the first match at Anfield, the “townspeople” lost crushingly (0:3), but several refereeing decisions, as a result of which a clear goal was canceled, influenced the outcome of the match. In the return match, City quickly opened the scoring, but failed to develop the advantage and conceded twice at the end of the match, losing the second match (1:2).
But in the English Championship, everything worked out very well for Manchester City, because Pep Guardiola’s team scored 100 points in the championship, winning 32 matches and losing twice. 106 goals scored and only 27 missed. City's closest rival, Manchester United, managed to score only 81 points.
In the next Premier League season 2018/19, the battle for the championship title took place between City and Liverpool. The “Cities” were catching up with Jurgen Klopp’s team almost all the time, and after several misfires the “Reds” still managed to snatch victory in the championship, gaining 98 points. Liverpool finished the season with only one defeat and an asset of 97 points.
In addition to the championship title in the English Championship, Manchester City also took all the domestic cups.
In the English League Cup, the “townspeople” defeated Chelsea (0:0, 4:3) in a penalty shootout, and defeated Watford (6:0) in the FA Cup.
City's only setback this season was the team's exit from the Champions League playoffs at the quarter-final stage.
Having very easily passed the group, which included Lyon, Shakhtar and Hoffenheim, the “townspeople” reached the playoffs against the Schalke team. Over two matches, City scored 10 goals against the German team, conceding only twice in response. Guardiola's team won the home match with a humiliating score of 7:0.
Already in the next round, City faced a confrontation with Tottenham, which became very tragic for the Spanish specialist. Having lost the first match in London with a score of 1:0, the Citizens started the home match very quickly, scoring in the 4th minute. Six minutes later, Manchester City was already losing 1:2, because Son scored two very quick goals. In the 11th minute the score became equal – 2:2. Another 10 minutes later, City scored the third goal of the match and took the lead for the second time – 3:2. In the 59th minute, Sergio Aguero scored a goal that took the team to the semi-finals. However, in the 73rd minute Fernando Llorente scored a goal with his hand/body. After a VAR review, Turkish referee Janet Cakir did not see the violation and counted the goal. The very next day, pictures of the goal appeared from another camera, on which the handball was obvious. In the 93rd minute, City scored the fifth, as it seemed then, the winning goal. The VAR light came on the scoreboard - offside, and the goal was canceled, and Tottenham advanced to the semi-finals.
Manchester City merchandise
Manchester City mascot
The team's mascot is Blue Moon resident Moonchester. It was first presented to the public at a home match on August 16, 1996 against Ispwich Town. Over time, he began to appear together with his charming girlfriend Moonbeam.
Manchester City emblem
The "citizens" emblem is based on the Manchester coat of arms. At international tournaments the original Manchester crest may be displayed on the uniform to show pride in defending such a great city.
Manchester City kit and colors
Throughout history, the uniforms of the "citizens" have consistently featured shades of white and blue. The away kit varied from burgundy to black. The red checkers uniform was very popular in the last century.
Manchester City fans
It is one of the most supported away teams in the Premier League. The stands at home matches are always filled to capacity. Active fans of the “townspeople” are the lead singers of the band “Oasis” Liam and Noel Gallagher. Their song “Blue Moon” is considered the unofficial anthem of the “citizens”. Other popular fans include comedian Eddie Ladge, head of Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov, and writer Nick Leeson.
In the middle of the last century, after almost every Manchester derby, there were fights in the city, but as a result of tightening control in 1990 after the Hillsborough tragedy, they significantly decreased. Quite often City and United live in the same family.
Manchester City's brothers and rivals
The main rivalry develops with city neighbors Manchester United. It has become particularly acute in recent years, after City significantly increased its status and became a regular contender for national trophies. Thus, in the 2011/12 season, the “townspeople” literally stole the trophy from under the noses of their neighbors, winning a brilliant victory in the last seconds of the match against QPR and beating the “Mancunians” in terms of goals scored and goals conceded.
Famous Manchester City players:
- Nedum Onuoha
- Edin Dzeko
- Martin Petrov
- Vincent Company
- Sergio Aguero
- Daniel Sturridge
- Joe Hart
- Peter Schmeichel
- Yaya Toure
- Patrick Viera
- Sylvain Distin
- Matija Nastasic
- Mario Balloteli
- Roque Santa Cruz
- Kevin De Bruyne
- Fernandinho
- Kyle Walker
- Bacary Sagna
- David Silva
- Nicholas Otamendi
- Raheem Sterling
ManCity's home stadium is called the City of Manchester Stadium and is one of the largest in England. It seats 47,726 spectators and ranks 6th in terms of this indicator in the country.
Erected in 2002. Moreover, in a slightly different form than what can be seen now. The fact is that the city of Manchester was bidding to host the 2000 Olympics, for which they were going to build an Olympic format stadium. The fight for the right to host the Olympic Games was lost to Sydney. But the British did not calm down and chose the right to host the 2002 Commonwealth Games. This is an analogue of the Olympics, held once every four years, between former British colonies. Naturally, with the participation of Great Britain itself. The latest Commonwealth Games, for example, took place last fall in India, you can read about them.
In 1999, it was decided to try the following combination. 
The stadium was originally built with running tracks and a temporary north stand. At the same time, the design provided for the possibility of turning the stadium into a purely football stadium after the completion of the 2002 Commonwealth Games.
To do this, it was necessary to dismantle the temporary stand (which, by the way, did not have a canopy), and in its place build a “normal” stationary stand, symmetrical to the South. Everything for the construction of the stand was prepared and provided for in advance. For example, the retaining pylons on the north side were built at the same time as the main part of the stadium. Thus, when the temporary stand was dismantled in 2003 and the permanent one was built, the City of Manchester Stadium “puzzle” was completed.
At the same time, another significant operation was performed. Field 
lowered down (tearing off a corresponding portion of soil) and moved close to the South Stand. Another tier was built below, the stands of which are now much closer to the field.
Initially (in 2002) the City of Manchester Stadium was two-tiered and could accommodate 38,000 spectators. After a planned transformation in 2003, it became a three-tier 47,000-tonne building.
I note that the stadium, although it is already purely football, still has a fairly decent distance to the field from the central (Western and Eastern) stands. From the first row of the lower tier to the field line the distance is 10 meters. And this despite the fact that the field here was made very wide (71 meters wide). The too-sloping lower tier also adds inconvenience. The echoes of the treadmills make themselves felt.
Man City moved here from the old stadium located in another part of the city Main Road(Maine Road).
A year after the completion of reconstruction at the new City stadium, the old stadium, which had served the club for 80 years, was dismantled. A residential area was built in its place.
Main Road was a pure football stadium with covered stands. Before dismantling it had a capacity of 35,150 spectators. In the post-war years, Man United also played here for several years (while the restoration of the bombed Old Trafford was underway). There was a lot of standing room on Main Road during that period. This made it possible to set a national record here for English Championship matches - in 1948, the Manchester United - Arsenal game was attended by 83,260 spectators. Now all that remains from the stadium is a memorial plaque.
All these changes, moves, dismantling and transformations took place in the “pre-Sheikh era.” The new owners have super-ambitious plans not only regarding the composition of the team, but also the club infrastructure. Quite a lot of money has already been invested in the cosmetic reconstruction of the stadium. He was spoiled inside and outside (although the stadium was not bad anyway).
It is also planned to invest a lot of money (about a million pounds) in the area around the stadium. At the moment, the area where the City of Manchester Stadium is located is considered one of the poorest areas of the city. The sheikhs want to create thousands of jobs here and turn this place into a world-class sports, leisure and entertainment complex. Work in this direction is underway. The surrounding area is indeed changing very much.
Among the significant events that took place here, I would like to mention the triumphant 2008 UEFA Cup final for Zenit and the 2005 Women's European Championship (though only one game). And, of course, the 2002 Commonwealth Games.
By the way, near the stadium there are two monuments dedicated to the Games. On the northwest side there is a statue of a runner. And in the southeast they built a monument to the sound pulse. Named B of the Bang - based on the statements of the famous sprinter Linford Christie. He said that the secret of his success lies in the fact that he starts with the first sound of the starting pistol. There are also several memorial plaques and plaques around the stadium.
The England team played at the City of Manchester Stadium 
twice. This happened as part of a friendly tournament held on the eve of Euro 2004. First they drew with the Japanese 1-1, and then defeated Iceland 6-1. In addition, the England rugby team once played here.
Architecturally, thanks to its circular galleries and pointed pylons, this stadium is very elegant and easily recognizable. But the form of the structure itself is quite successful. A similar one can be seen at. Leipzig Centralstadion and Port Dou Dragao have similar lines. The one under construction will be somewhat similar. new stadium Kazan Rubin.
Well, the City of Manchester Stadium will, of course, continue to change. On behalf of the sheikhs, the possibility of increasing the capacity of the stadium is already being studied. And there is no doubt that such an opportunity will eventually be found.
City of Manchester Stadium
Country: England
City: Manchester
Club: Manchester City
Full name: City of Manchester Stadium
Capacity: 47,726 spectators
Lighting: 1,500 lux
Tiers: partly 2, partly 3
Field size: 106.6x71 m
Roof: 100% seating
Year of construction: 2002
Last reconstruction: 2003
You can virtually ride inside the stadium bowl, or from the outside.
