Stoke City host West Ham, and Manchester City welcome Reading in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday.Stoke, unbeaten at their Britannia Stadium home in 2011, fell 3-0 to their Sunday opponents at Upton Park in the English Premier League on Saturday, giving Avram Grant’s side the upper hand heading into the Cup clash.Midfielder Glenn Whelan said the Potters will look to maximise on their home advantage.”We’re on our home patch, that’s where we’re solid and hopefully that’s what we’ll be on Sunday,” the 27-year-old told the BBC. “If we can get right at them in the first five or 10 minutes, I’m sure the crowd will be right behind us.” Stoke are aiming for their first appearance in the Cup semi-finals since 1972, and their maiden final spot, while three-time winners West Ham are still in the running to emulate their most recent final appearance in 2006.Reading may be without Cup hero and captain Matt Mills, who scored to help the Championship club past Everton and book them a date with City at Eastlands, after the 24-year-old picked up a groin injury in their 3-1 league win over Ipswich Town on Saturday.City’s all-star squad have hardly cruised through their Cup campaign thus far, requiring replays to surpass the lowly Notts County and Leicester City.Edin Dzeko has scored for the Blues in both of his two Cup appearances under Roberto Mancini, while fellow striker Carlos Tevez can continue an impressive season, with the Argentine on 18 league goals, and has scored four in as many Cup clashes.The Cup shapes as Mancini’s best chance to end the club’s 35-year trophy drought.
FA Cup preview: Stoke right at home against Hammers
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12/05/2025 00:00
Tagged:Futebol






