Mark Hughes will want his inform Stoke City side to get back to winning ways when they host another team in a rich vein of form, Crystal Palace, on Saturday afternoon.
Before their 1-0 defeat against former manager Tony Pulis’ West Brom side last Saturday, Stoke had won three consecutive games against; Aston Villa, Hull City and Everton. Despite that defeat they are on course for their best ever season in the Premier League and currently sit in 8th. However they have only won two of their last six meetings with the Eagles.
A crucial 3-1 victory last weekend over strugglers QPR all but secured safety for another season for Crystal Palace; they sit eight points clear of the drop zone and a win at the Britannia Stadium will extinguish any remaining fears. Like their hosts, they have been on a fine run of form ahead of international break.
Alan Pardew's side have won two of their last three games, including a 3-1 victory away to London rivals West Ham. There will be some concern for Alan Pardew as his men haven’t won in Stoke since 2008.
Both have a large injury lists coming into the game, with Stoke missing; Peter Odemwingie, Bojan, Marc Muniesa and Stephen Ireland. Phillip Wollscheid is a doubt which means Marc Wilson is set to replace him in defence. Victor Moses, Erik Pieters and Jonathan Walters are also doubts but there is a chance they may be fit enough to feature from the off.
Palace also have a considerable absentee list; Frazier Campbell, Lee Chung-Yong, Marouane Chamakh, Jordon Mutch, Jerome Thomas and Jason Puncheon will all be out. This may lead to Joel Ward going into the midfield with Pape Souare moving in at left back. Captain Mile Jedinak will be missing through suspension, Wilfred Zaha is a doubt but it is expected to start in a front-three with Glenn Murray and Yannick Bolasie.