There are six Man City flags being waved on the pitch, people wearing T-shirts are eating chips covered in ketchup and the sprinklers are sprinkling.

It only means one thing... the teams will be coming on to the pitch soonish.

Steve Bower
Match of the Day commentator at the Etihad

It is a question that has already been posed, and it will be asked time and time again this season - how do you try and stop free-scoring Manchester City?

Stoke manager Mark Hughes will have been searching for an answer during the international break. He succeeded with a plan as recently as March when Stoke earned a goalless draw at the Etihad.

However, his former club currently have a much more clinical look about them; 22 goals from only seven games, including 5-0 victories in each of their last two home fixtures, has given them an added air of confidence, particularly evident in their victory at Chelsea.

Any hint of a repeat from last season's visit for Stoke will be a welcome bonus.

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• Stoke's only win - and goal - in nine Premier League visits to the Etihad Stadium came in August 2014 courtesy of Mame Biram Diouf's 70-yard run and near-post finish.
• Manchester City have scored four goals in half of the six most recent meetings - but failed to score in the other three.
• Stoke could keep consecutive top-flight clean sheets at Manchester City for the first time.

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero is on the bench after recovering from the rib injury he suffered two weeks ago prior to the 1-0 win at Chelsea.

The City XI are unchanged.

Image source, .

Stoke give a Premier League debut to 18-year-old Tom Edwards.

Forward Jese Rodriguez is also in the starting XI.

Striker Saido Berahino is on the bench and midfielder Joe Allen is injured.

Image source, .

Image source, Getty Images

It's 20C in Manchester today! That's TWENTY! In the middle of October!

The Potters have made the epic 45-mile journey across the treacherous terrain of Sandbach and Knutsford to get here.

They will barely have had time to wipe themselves down before their next workout against the Harlem Globetrotters of the Premier League (minus the comedy) Manchester City.

Here's Stoke boss Mark Hughes:

"Nobody expects us to win."

Thanks Mark.

The question on the lips of City fans is will Sergio Aguero feature for the men in blue?

Stay tuned to find out.