The weekend Premier League action kicks off with Stoke City hosting Manchester City on Saturday lunchtime. Pellegrini has generally benefited however from a fit squad in previous Decembers. “I got 11 past year so if I can top that I’ll be happy”. “Looking back I probably lasted as long as I could”. Tottenham is in fifth on the league table with 25 points, while Liverpool has been coming on and they are in sixth with 23 points.
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Leicester, on the back of Jamie Vardy’s record scoring streak, are this season’s gate-crashers and while no-one expects Claudio Ranieri’s side to still be hanging around at the business end of the season, they appear capable of ruffling a few more feathers.
If they are unable to pull a deal off in time, fans will still be hopeful that their promising attacking options can continue their great form and lead them over the current Premier League leaders.
The final takes place at Wembley on Sunday, February 28. “It’s a completely different club from when I was there”.
Stoke manager Hughes told a news conference that City’s injury problems did not mean the leaders should be under-estimated. “His ability to change games in City’s favour is there for everybody to see and he’s done it on so many occasions”.
“It’s just a tiny aspect of his game he needs to correct”. “He’s certainly one of the best in the world in my view”.
Stoke City are without Shay Given and Peter Odemwingie through injury.
Liverpool striker Divock Origi is confident that his teammates can “100%” beat Stoke City in the Capital One Cup semi-final, but admits the Potters are a “good team”, as reported by the club’s official website.
City’s squad strength is likely to be tested if they are to sustain a challenge for four trophies, including the FA Cup when they start their challenge in January.
“We are always trying to do it, but it’s not easy because there are a lot of clubs, five or six that can do it also”.
“I think in this case, the fourth [striker] should be Kelechi”.
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Pellegrini was boosted by the return of David Silva against Hull, but captain Vincent Kompany (calf) and Pablo Zabaleta (knee) are out of Saturday’s game and it remains to be seen whether Sergio Aguero (heel) and Joe Hart (hamstring) are risked.
