Manchester City striker Sergio Agüero. (Photo : Getty Images)
Last season's ninth place finishers Stoke City FC (0-0-1, 1 point) is set to host one of the 2016-2017 Premier League season's top contenders Manchester City FC (1-0-0, 3 points) at their home ground of Bet365 Stadium on Saturday, August 20.
Stoke City, who is still managed by head coach Mark Hughes this season, had struggled during their preseason friendlies, winning only once in four games, a 2-1 win over Major League Soccer team Orlando City, as they prepared for the new English top flight season.
The results are quite evident as they settled to a 1-1 draw with newly-promoted side Middlesbrough FC on the road at the Riverside Stadium last Saturday, as per SkySports.
Boro forward Alvaro Negredo actually opened the scoring at the 11th minute to put the hometown fans up their feet after he headed home a close range shot past goalkeeper Shay Given's gloves.
The hosts almost doubled their lead before the halftime interval, but midfielder Gaston Ramirez's strike clanged off the goal post.
The Potters were fortunate to equalize in the second half with a free kick from right winger Xherdan Shaqiri at the 67th to salvage the draw and save a point for them in the overall standings.
Meanwhile, hotshot head coach Pep Guardiola had a successful Premier League debut with City pulling off a 2-1 win over Sunderland AFC and its new manager David Moyes at the Etihad Stadium also last Saturday, The Guardian reported.
Argentine striker Sergio Agüero opened the scoring for the hosts via a penalty kick right at the fourth minute of the match. The team was able to take care of the one-point lead until the 71st minute when Black Cats forward Jermain Defoe was able to find the equalizer.
Guardiola and his crew was able to escape with the win courtesy of an own goal from Sunderland defender Paddy McNair with three minutes remaining before full time, allowing the Spanish mentor to win his first game in the English first division domestic competitions.
City is expected to bounce back from their poor showing against the Black Cats and blank the Potters in this match on Saturday.
The predicted result is a 2-0 victory for Manchester City.
Stoke City starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Given; Bardsley, Shawcross, Wollscheid, Pieters; Imbula, Whelan; Shaqiri, Bojan, Arnautovic; Diouf
Manchester City starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Caballero; Sagna, Stones, Kolarov, Clichy; Fernandinho, Silva; Sterling, De Bruyne, Nolito; Agüero
