• Manchester City v Stoke, Premier League

After the Lord Mayor's show

Carlos Tevez celebrates his team winning the FA Cup © Getty Images

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Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini could be tempted to freshen up his side for the re-arranged Premier League game with Stoke.

Edin Dzeko, James Milner and Adam Johnson are all pushing for places in the starting line-up against opponents they defeated 1-0 in the FA Cup final on Saturday.

Kolo Toure and Jerome Boateng are again ruled out of the home fixture through suspension and a knee injury respectively.

First-team coach David Platt wants to build on their achievement of lifting the FA Cup.

City will face the Potters just over 72 hours after they beat their rivals 1-0 at Wembley.

Victory for City would see them overtake Arsenal and move into third place - a scenario that, should City hold on to the position, would rule out pre-qualifying for the Champions League.

The Gunners are suddenly looking over their shoulder after they suffered a home defeat to Aston Villa yesterday and Platt said: "We've got two games to go and can take six points. If we do that we have done our job.

"We could actually get third place from Arsenal. We've got to continue to win games and continue to win trophies.

"We're delighted at this moment and quite rightly so. We should enjoy it but only until around Tuesday morning.

"We've made a big step up as regards the players that have come in, they've bedded themselves in, and as the season's gone on we've become more assured as a team.''

Stoke manager Tony Pulis must decide whether to risk key players..

Pulis gambled on the fitness of Matthew Etherington (hamstring) and Robert Huth (knee) in Saturday's defeat at Wembley, while Jermaine Pennant completed the 90 minutes despite twisting his ankle in first-half stoppage-time.

Asmir Begovic is likely to reclaim his place in goal for the clash at Eastlands, while Ricardo Fuller, Danny Higginbotham and Mamady Sidibe remain sidelined.

Jonathan Walters puts his head in his hands © PA Photos

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Captain Ryan Shawcross has revenge on his mind

Shawcross was forced to climb the 107 steps to Wembley's Royal Box to collect a runners-up medal on Saturday before watching opposite number Carlos Tevez hoist aloft the famous old trophy.

"We've got two massive games and hopefully we can avenge the performance against City on Tuesday,'' Shawcross said. "It's going to be difficult but hopefully we can.''

Saturday's defeat robbed Shawcross of the honour of being the first Stoke captain to lift the FA Cup, although he still made history by being the first man to lead them out in the final.

And, at 23, there is plenty of time for him to go one step further and end the Potters' 148-year quest for the trophy.

He added: "I want to be in more cup finals and win trophies. This is a massive incentive. But I definitely want to play in more big occasions.

"We will learn from this and grow as a team. We have had a great season but our performance was disappointing. We just never turned up.

"We want to finish our season with six points from the two games. There will always be regrets and 'if onlys' but there's always next season to put things right.''

Form: The FA Cup final aside, Stoke were unbeaten in their previous five games in all competitions. City, meanwhile, have won five of their last six - with defeat to Everton the only aberration.

Key battle: Edin Dzeko against Ryan Shawcross. Can the Stoke captain get the revenge he desires, by shackling the forward who is still trying to prove his worth in English football?

Player to watch: Adam Johnson. After coming on as a substitute on Saturday, the winger may be given a start and the chance to elevate City into third with his attacking play.

Talking point: Err ... that there isn't really one? This game was perhaps supposed to influence Europa League or Champions League qualification, but in the end it means nothing more than the chance for City to edge up a spot in the table or Stoke to gain an unsatisfying modicum of revenge for their Wembley loss.

Bet of the day: Considering everything at stake, a goalless draw seems tempting value: 10/1 with bet365.

Prediction: 0-0

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