Mark Hughes will be delighted by this Stoke start on his return to his old club. Halfway through the first half and the visitors have carved out the better chances against a strangely subdued Manchester City.

Image source, .

Another big Stoke chance as the ball arrives at the feet of the unmarked Bruno Martins Indi inside the Manchester City area following a free-kick. It arrived rather too quickly as he hits it rather tamely at Willy Caballero.

Pep Guardiola has made several changes in order to freshen up his team but this has been a sluggish start by Manchester City.

Ramadan Sobhi has just glided past Nicolas Otamend inside the area but there's no red and white shirt to get on the end of his flick.

Image source, AFP

Highly encouraging from Stoke. Joe Allen is seeing plenty of the ball and orchestrating events from midfield. Potters keeper Lee Grant is still waiting to be tested. 

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Etihad Stadium

A roar goes up around the Etihad whenever Leroy Sane gets the ball, especially when he does so at speed. Not much else for the home fans to shout about otherwise, though. It is the Stoke supporters making most of the noise at the moment.

Image source, AFP

Manchester City are bossing possession but Stoke should be ahead. Will the visitors get a better chance?

Andy Townsend
Ex-Republic of Ireland international on BBC Radio 5 live

That's a great chance. Stoke might not get a better chance all night. Clichy just lost his left foot, not his strongest foot but it's poor contact on the half volley. He doesn't really clean it and he scuffs it. That's a poor chance.

Stoke have been terrible on the road lately but they come so close to making a dream start. A slip by Gael Clichy inside his own area presents Mame Biram Diouf with a great chance but the former Manchester United man scuffs it. What a let off for Manchester City.

Image source, Reuters

Kevin De Bruyne wins the first corner of the game after a bright and breezy start by the hosts. Stoke are camped inside their own half with plenty of bodies behind the ball. This could be a long, long night for them.

It's a big, big night for Manchester City. This is a must-win if they are to have any hope of catching Chelsea.

Joe Allen gets us under way.

Stoke City

Stoke boss Mark Hughes, speaking to Sky Sports: "I think we've got to be positive. We might not be quite as open as we normally are but we're still looking for opportunities.

On Berahino starting: "He's been close the last couple of weeks and if we can release him in good areas I think we can have an impact."

Mark Lawrenson
BBC football expert

Image source, BBC Sport

So, what is BBC Sport football expert Mark Lawrenson's verdict on tonight's game?

"I just don't see Stoke causing Manchester City enough problems," says Lawro. "Stoke's defence will be under a lot of pressure, and I do not see them holding out."

Lawro's prediction: 2-0

That scoreline takes Man City up to joint-top in Lawro's League Table (below), using all of his results for the season. The top six are the same as in reality, just in a slightly different order... with Chelsea four points off the summit, not 10 points clear. Using his predictions, it is a much tighter title race.

Lawro's guests for the weekend, when tonight's game was initially scheduled to be played, have also made their predictions.

Sophie Rose, external of CFC Fan TV, external is going for 3-1.

And Adam McKola, external and Stephen Howson, external of Full Time Devils, external are going 2-1. They are Manchester United fans, so there is a caveat...

They say: "Stoke will go one up, City will pull it back, and Pep Guardiola will have a meltdown in the post-match interview."

Image source, BBC Sport

Manchester City

Man City boss Pep Guardiola, speaking to Sky Sports: "The last games we've been much better but it's done. Every game you can be better.

"I think Stoke will attack our back four. All their players are so, so quick."

Image source, AFP

Stoke City

Stoke's last three games against Manchester City have ended 1-4, 0-4, 2-0 and 1-4.

Another four-goal thumping tonight?

"The last game against them didn’t merit the 4-1 scoreline - they scored two late goals in the 89th and 90th minute when we were right in the game," said Potters midfielder Glenn Whelan, who started his career at City.

"It was a bit of a hammering so we’ll go there and put in a performance and hopefully get the right result then we can forget about the home result."

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Rex Features

Oliver Harvey: English players Bournemouth should sign - Jermain Defoe, Jordan Pickford & Scott Dann. Also sign up Wilshere permanently. Proven Premier League quality and experience.

Chris Farrimond:  English players are more expensive than players from better national teams than England. Buying English makes no sense. 

Manchester City

Will Sergio Aguero still be at Manchester City next season?

The Argentine's goals have helped his club win two Premier League titles and two League Cups since he joined from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2011.

Augero, 28, goes into this game with five goals from his past three outings yet speculation continues he could be leaving in the summer.

"I would like him to remain but I don't know what is going to happen," says boss Pep Guardiola. 

Image source, Reuters

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Etihad Stadium

Seeing Sergio Aguero as Manchester City skipper seemed pretty unlikely just a month ago, when the Argentina striker could not even get in the side, but his fine recent form of five goals in City’s past three games sees him rewarded with the captaincy.

The last thing Stoke need is to see the 28-year-old given extra inspiration, however. He has already plundered eight goals in seven Premier League games against the Potters - including two in his side’s 4-1 win earlier this season. 

There's plenty of speculation about Sergio Aguero's Manchester City future. Tonight he has been named captain of the side.

Around half an hour to kick-off. No Marko Arnautovic for Stoke. That's a big blow.

A huge night ahead for Saido Berahino. This is his first Premier League start since moving from West Brom.

Image source, PA