Manchester City striker Sergio Agüero. (Photo : Getty Images)
Third-running squad Manchester City FC (18-9-7, 61 points) is looking to keep their Champions League qualifying berth until the end of the 2015-2016 Premier League season as they square off with middling club Stoke City FC (13-13-8, 47 points) this Saturday, April 23rd at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City is on a roll right now as it recently overtook Arsenal for the third spot in the overall standings after going on a four-game unbeaten streak while the Gunners went winless in four of their last five outings.
Their most recent match ended in a 1-1 draw with bottom three squad Newcastle United on the road at the St. James' Park, though, to temporarily halt their surge late in the season, as reported by BBC Sport.
Argentine striker Sergio Agüero had a milestone game, making his 100th goal in the English top flight, as he opened the scoring with a header at the 14th minute of the match for Manuel Pellegrini's side.
The Magpies are quick to respond, however, as Dutch midfielder Vurnon Anita was able to score the equalizer at the 31st with a left-footed shot that bounced off the post into the back of Joe Hart's net.
The draw kept City one point ahead of Arsenal for third place in the current league table with four games left in their season, securing the final Champions League group stage qualifying spot.
Meanwhile, Stoke City remains in the middle of the pack, at the ninth spot of the league table, even as they had been winless in five of their last six matches.
The Potters were crushed by second-running team Tottenham Hotspur, 0-4, at the Britannia Stadium on Monday, via SkySports.
Tottenham's Harry Kane and Dele Alli both scored braces for the Spurs in the match as they handed head coach Mark Hughes' squad their second consecutive loss.
Stoke City is currently six points behind West Ham United, who holds the final Europa League qualifying berth for next season.
The predicted result is a 1-0 decision for Manchester City.
Manchester City starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Mangala, Kolarov; Touré, Fernando; Navas, De Bruyne, Delph; Agüero
Stoke City starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Given; Cameron, Shawcross, Wollscheid, Muniesa; Whelan, Imbula; Shaqiri, Afellay, Arnautovic; Bojan
