Stoke are underdogs - Shawcross

Last updated : 10 May 2011 By BBC Sport

Stoke captain Ryan Shawcross believes Manchester City are favourites to win the FA Cup at Wembley on Saturday.The Potters, who will appear in their first ever FA Cup final, are eighth in the Premier League, 16 points and four places behind their final opponents.

"We're under no illusions," Shawcross told BBC Radio Stoke. "There's a very good team in front of us and they're going to go in as massive favourites.

"We'll be underdogs but if we perform well we've always got a chance."

Stoke drew 1-1 against Roberto Mancini's side at the Britannia Stadium in November and knocked them out of the FA Cup at the fifth-round stage last season after a replay.

The Potters ran out convincing 5-0 winners in their semi-final against Bolton, an experience that the Stoke squad will benefit from, according to Shawcross.

"We've experienced the changing rooms, we've been to Wembley and we've experienced the fans being there," said the 23-year-old defender.

"I'm sure there will be some similarities so we can take that on board and hopefully use that to our advantage."

Stoke will be aiming to win their first major trophy in 39 years, while it is 35 years since Manchester City won a major honour.

Source: BBC Sport

Source: BBC Sport