Stoke travel to QPR this weekend looking to earn their second win of the season, with Rangers also hoping to earn their second win, but Stoke boss Mark Hughes will be keen to gain revenge on the team he used to manage.
Hughes was sacked as QPR boss in November 2012, with Harry Redknapp coming in to take charge. He couldn't stop them being relegated but managed to bring them back up at the first attempt, albeit a 'lucky' play-off win against Derby at Wembley. Redknapp seems to have made the team better than when the Welshman was in charge, with Rio Ferdinand, Mauricio Isla and Steven Caulker coming to steady up the defence.
Stoke have had a reasonably slow start to their season, with a draw at Hull and a shock win at Manchester City being their only points so far. Losses against Aston Villa and Leicester mean they're in need of some points if they are to maintain their Premier League status. New signing Bojan will be under pressure to start scoring for the Potters as lack of goals are one thing Stoke and QPR have in common.
QPR have only mustered one goal this season, a Charlie Austin goal in the win over Sunderland in late August. Stoke have only managed one more goal than their hosts. Ryan Shawcross and other new signing Mame Biram Diouf's excellent solo finish at the Etihad are the only goals Stoke have managed in their four games this season.
Joey Barton and Jordan Mutch will need late fitness tests to see if they can play a part in the fixture, both may join Adel Taraabt on the absentee list as he recovers from an ankle injury.
For Stoke it appears Stephen Ireland should be fit to play in London after a rib muscle injury. Jon Walters and Marko Arnautovic could miss out with calf and foot injuries respectively. Geoff Cameron and Peter Odemwingie are definitely going to miss out as Stoke look to gain another positive result on the road.
With goals hard to come by it'll be difficult to see who will win this game, Bojan needs to step up, with Charlie Austin and Biram Diouf needing to maintain their ability to score goals for their respective clubs.
