Manchester City got back to winning ways thanks to a hard-fought victory over Norwich, and they now aim to start a new promising run as they prepare to take on Stoke.

The Potters may have missed a chance to beat Southampton at home, but they should be in good spirits after coming from two goals behind to earn a draw.

Following the disappointing defeat to Sunderland that virtually saw the team drop out from the title race, the Citizens desperately needed to return to winning ways against Norwich.

Everything started well for Roberto Mancini’s side as Edin Dzeko scored two early goals, but things began to take the wrong turn when Samir Nasri was sent off after Anthony Pilkington pulled one back for the hosts.

Manchester City finally showed some character and managed to earn valuable three points with ten men on the pitch, but they, nonetheless, remained seven points adrift of title rivals United.

Even if Roberto Mancini’s side did restore some of the lost confidence with the triumph at Carrow Road, I really feel there is little value in odds of 1.30 (3/10) offered at Coral on home win.

City, on the other hand, are 1.80 (4/5) with Paddy Power to turn a half-time lead into their second successive victory.

Samir Nasri misses out through suspension, but Mario Balotelli could return after missing the Norwich game through a virus.

Douglas Maicon and Aleksandar Kolarov are not yet ready to return, while Micah Richards and Jack Rodwell remain long-term worries.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Hart – Zabaleta, Kompany, Nastasic, Clichy – Y. Toure, Garcia – Silva, Aguero, Tevez – Dzeko.

Stoke City have every reason to be satisfied with how this season is unfolding given they currently occupy the 8th place in the standings and are on a ten-match unbeaten run.

The Potters boast the best defence in the elite division, having conceded just 17 goals in 20 fixtures, but their back line was clearly not at their best in the weekend’s match against Southampton.

They committed too many mistakes at the back and looked to be heading towards the first home defeat of the campaign, but Cameron Jerome’s howler in the dying moments of the match helped Stoke remain unbeaten at their Britannia.

After taking at least one point from each of their last four away games, Tony Pulis’ side are 4.00 (3/1) with William Hill to extend their unbeaten run.

Steven N’Zonzi is suspended after he was sent off at the weekend, but Ryan Shawcross and Geoff Cameron both return.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Begovic – Cameron, Shawcross, Huth, Wilkinson – Kightly, Whelan, Adam, Etherington – Jones, Walters.