<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/02/manchester-city.jpg"></a><figure class="image"><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/02/manchester-city.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-94720" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20140829_CMS_115333_manchester-city-600x422_53939bca.webp&amp;width=600&amp;height=422" alt="manchester-city" width="600" height="422" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/02/17061423/manchester-city-600x422.jpg 600w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/02/17061423/manchester-city-150x105.jpg 150w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/02/17061423/manchester-city-300x211.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/02/17061423/manchester-city.jpg 640w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"></a></figure>
Coming off of a <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/08/25/manchester-city-3-1-liverpool-back-to-the-drawing-board-for-the-reds/">decisive 3-1 victory </a>over last year’s Premier League runners up Liverpool, Manchester City will look to continue their perfect start to the early season with a lineup that will feature only a couple of changes. The most likely changes will be at fullback with Sagna in line to make his first appearance in sky blue and Alexander Kolorov rotating in for Gael Clichy. It is also possible that Fernando might be replaced by Fernandinho as the Brazilian is nearing full fitness, after a mentally and physically taxing World Cup in Brazil.
The front four largely picks itself with Silva, Nasri, and Toure all in fine early season form. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/08/28/stevan-jovetic-beginning-to-prove-his-worth-for-manchester-city/">Stevan Jovetic</a> has been a revelation over the course of pre-season and early days in the league. The striker spot will likely be occupied by either Sergio Aguero, who picked up a knock in training today, or Edin Dzeko, who took a nasty stud to the thigh Monday night. If you’re Manuel Pellegrini you really can’t go wrong picking either Aguero – scored two goals in less than 30 minutes of playing time this season – or his teammate Dzeko who appears to be in inspired form. His goals will come, as they always do, but his creativity and passing so far has been an added dimension.
City will look to score early and draw Stoke out of what will likely be a nine or even ten men behind the ball approach. An early goal at home usually means that City are on their way to three or four or more. When they have trouble scoring early they often play much tighter and with far more nervousness than when things are flowing freely and the goals are going in early and with regularity. The home match against Crystal Palace last season will be a blueprint for their opponents to analyse and try to replicate, despite City claiming a slender 1-0 victory.
On the other side of the pitch former City manager Mark Hughes is still trying to find what his best lineup is. A groin injury to the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/08/27/geoff-cameron-must-be-calculated-and-logical-about-his-playing-future/">in demand</a> American international <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/08/27/geoff-cameron-must-be-calculated-and-logical-about-his-playing-future/">Geoff Cameron</a> and the arrival of Chelsea loanee Victor Moses means that Hughes will have some more tinkering to do. He’ll likely start Moses and Krkic on the wings. with England’s favorite gangly <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_X1pqDpyOIo">robot</a> Peter Crouch as the lone striker up front. Charlie Adam may not regain a place with the more dogged Glenn Whelan in a midfield that will contain essentially three holding midfielders that will try to stifle a lethal City attack.
Stoke’s best hope for a result will come from packing the middle and forcing the ball out wide. If you’re a Stoke fan you’d probably prefer it go out wide to Samir Nasri rather than David Silva. With a solid amount of Stoke grit and determination, coupled with perfect defensive organization, the Potters may be able to hold City scoreless if the Citizens are having an off day. At the other end of the field perhaps a well-timed cross could find the forehead of Peter Crouch and then the back of Joe Hart’s net.
MANCHESTER CITY&nbsp;
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/08/Screen-shot-2014-08-29-at-4.18.12-PM.png"></a><figure class="image"><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/08/Screen-shot-2014-08-29-at-4.18.12-PM.png"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-115366" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20140829_CMS_115333_Screen-shot-2014-08-29-at-4.18.12-PM_61fbcac7.webp&amp;width=331&amp;height=448" alt="Screen shot 2014-08-29 at 4.18.12 PM" width="331" height="448" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/08/17051003/Screen-shot-2014-08-29-at-4.18.12-PM.png 331w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/08/17051003/Screen-shot-2014-08-29-at-4.18.12-PM-150x203.png 150w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/08/17051003/Screen-shot-2014-08-29-at-4.18.12-PM-300x406.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 331px) 100vw, 331px"></a></figure>
STOKE CITY
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/08/Screen-shot-2014-08-29-at-4.18.42-PM.png"></a><figure class="image"><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/08/Screen-shot-2014-08-29-at-4.18.42-PM.png"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-115367" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20140829_CMS_115333_Screen-shot-2014-08-29-at-4.18.42-PM_48fead97.webp&amp;width=329&amp;height=444" alt="Screen shot 2014-08-29 at 4.18.42 PM" width="329" height="444" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/08/17051002/Screen-shot-2014-08-29-at-4.18.42-PM.png 329w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/08/17051002/Screen-shot-2014-08-29-at-4.18.42-PM-150x202.png 150w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/08/17051002/Screen-shot-2014-08-29-at-4.18.42-PM-300x404.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 329px) 100vw, 329px"></a></figure>

Manchester City vs Stoke City Predicted Lineups

Manchester City vs Stoke City Predicted Lineups - World Soccer Talk

<a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Stevan-Jovetic.jpg"></a><div><figure class="image"><a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Stevan-Jovetic.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-94010" src="https:\/\/ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https:\/\/images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20140828_WST_115244_Stevan-Jovetic-600x450.webp&amp;width=600&amp;height=450" alt="Stevan Jovetic" width="600" height="450" srcset="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/01/Stevan-Jovetic-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/01/Stevan-Jovetic-150x112.jpg 150w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/01/Stevan-Jovetic-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/01/Stevan-Jovetic.jpg 640w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"></a></figure></div>
After a debut season riddled by injury, Stevan Jovetic appears to have found his feet at <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2014/08/25/manchester-city-3-1-liverpool-back-to-the-drawing-board-for-the-reds/">Manchester City</a>, and with the Montenegrin striker in fine form, the football community can only expect more from the player.
It’s not always been smooth sailing at City for Jovetic. The striker suffered a series of injury setbacks following his £22 million transfer from Fiorentina.
Now with an off-season under his belt, the 24- year-old is fit and ready to deliver on the promise he displayed in his time in Tuscany.
The Montenegrin first caught the attention of the football community after scoring a brace against <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2014/08/25/managing-mario-balotelli-will-be-a-tough-test-for-liverpools-brendan-rodgers/">Liverpool</a> in Fiorentina’s 2009/10 Champions League campaign, and his stocks only rose from there.
Soon enough, the likes of <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2014/08/22/serie-a-preview-juventus-is-still-the-team-to-beat/">Juventus</a>, Inter Milan and AC Milan came knocking on the door of La Viola, eyeing off the signing of the rising star.
Fiorentina, though, were reluctant to part with their prized asset, holding out for as big a transfer fee as possible.
In the end, none of those sides were able to acquire Jovetic, and he was to spend another four seasons at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.
Eventually, in July 2013, Jovetic was finally sold after Fiorentina reached an agreement with Manchester City to sell him for around £22 million, with the Citizens fending off interest from the big Italian clubs who re-entered the race for his signature.
Naturally, expectation was placed on the youngster’s shoulders upon signing for the mega-rich club. However, a run of injuries limited his contribution for City, and by the end of the season and toward the start of the next, whispers grew louder that his short-term future lied away from the Etihad, with Juventus once again linked along with Arsenal.
But coach Manuel Pellegrini was never in doubt of the player’s talent and value.
Jovetic’s injury run is over, and he has been a regular in Pellegrini’s starting XI throughout pre-season and in City’s first two Premier League clashes.
And so far, Jovetic has repaid Pellegrini’s faith.
He found the net twice in City’s 3-1 win over Liverpool and linked up well with strike partner Edin Dzeko.
His performance won the praise of his coach after the match, telling the <a href="http:\/\/www.espnfc.com/manchester-city/story/2003131/manuel-pellegrini-and-manchester-city-happy-with-premier-league-return-for-stevan-jovetic">media</a> that he was working for the entire 90 minutes, and that he and the club never had any doubt in Jovetic’s ability.
If Jovetic can continue on the road he is on, the league can expect a real shake-up.
At Fiorentina, Jovetic, in 109 performances with the club, found the back of the net on 39 occasions, including six braces between 2009 and 2012, between the ages of 20 and 23, across the Serie A, Champions League and Coppa Italia.
A stunning return for a player so young.
If Jovetic can stay injury-free, then there is no doubt that he can re-produce the goals he scored in Italy with the pedigree of talent that surrounds him.
David Silva, Sergio Arguero and Yaya Toure are just some of the names that any striker would love to have behind them and fortunately for Jovetic, he is able to have this luxury.
As City look to defend their crown, expect Jovetic to play an integral part and for a previously unlucky youngster to finally become a bona fide football superstar.

Stevan Jovetic Beginning To Prove His Worth For Manchester City - World Soccer Talk

Stevan Jovetic Beginning To Prove His Worth For Manchester City

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Stevan Jovetic Beginning To Prove His Worth For Manchester City