Carlos Tevez the Main Man as Man City visit Stoke

After two goals and a man of the match performance against Fulham last weekend, Carlos Tevez is the man to lead Manchester City’s title hopes, according to teammate David Silva.

Silva recently said: “If Carlos keeps scoring like this, we have a chance. He's a good player for us, an important player and he has been scoring goals.”

Despite growing rumours regarding an animosity between the Argentinian striker and his manager Roberto Mancini, Tevez’s form for the blue half of Manchester has been incredible. His goal-scoring stats are a particular highlight, netting 30 goals in 36 appearances; a solid reason why he is priced at 3/1 to finish top scorer at the end of the season.

Tevez was one of the goal-scorers when the sides met last season. A 2-0 victory in Mancini’s first game in charge of Manchester City was the first of four matches played between the two clubs last season. History between the sides show that when they do meet, it often produces red cards; back in February, Abdoulaye Faye was sent off in a 1-1 draw, whilst an FA Cup replay tie in the same month saw Emmanuel Adebayor dismissed as City lost 3-1 after extra time. Two seasons ago, Rory Delap was shown red as Stoke won 1-0.

Mancini has the luxury of picking from a near-full strength first team; Gareth Barry and Jerome Boateng are the only possible absentees through injury, whilst Zabaleta begins a suspension after accumulating five bookings so far this campaign. 

Stoke come into the match on a rich vein of form having won three matches in a row, including a comfortable 3-0 victory away at West Bromwich Albion last weekend, helping them rise from 17th to eighth in the Premier League table in under a fortnight. Their last 3 game unbeaten run was ended in a 2-1 defeat by an in-form Bolton. Manager Tony Pulis will have to do without injured players Jermaine Pennant and Andy Wilkinson, but should be able to call on former Ipswich forward Jon Walters. Odds of 12/5 are available for a Stoke home win, whilst striker Kenwyne Jones is 13/2 to get the first goal of the game.

Premier League 09/10:

Man City 2-0 Stoke

Stoke 1-1 Man City