Crystal Palace vs Stoke City. Premier League.
Selhurst ParkAttendance23,990.
Saturday 7 May 2016 15:16, UK
Stoke could be without Bojan for their penultimate Premier League game of the season against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Having never finished higher than ninth in the Premier League, Stoke were on course for their best ever finish when placed eighth, before a five-game winless run saw them drop down to their current position of 10th below Chelsea on goal difference.
The Potters addressed a run of three successive defeats with a draw against Sunderland last week, conceding a late penalty as Jermain Defoe gave the Black Cats' survival hopes a boost.
Palace's top-flight status is secured, but their focus is very much on the upcoming FA Cup final, with their cup run drawing focus away their woeful league form.
Team news
Wilfried Zaha will be missing due to a leg muscle problem and remains a doubt for Palace's FA Cup final against Manchester United on May 21.
Yannick Bolasie is battling illness to be ready to face Stoke, with Mile Jedinak is struggling with a knock, according to manager Alan Pardew.
The 25-year-old forward injured his foot in training on Thursday and will face a late fitness test, while Glen Johnson will be unavailable for Stoke as he recovers from a knee injury despite returning to training this week.
Marc Wilson has been ruled out for the last two games for the Potters due to a knee problem, but Hughes is hopeful he will be fully fit for Ireland in time for the European Championships in June.
Opta stats
Crystal Palace have won four and drawn one of the last five matches in all competitions against Stoke City, who have gone nine Premier League games on the road without a clean sheet, conceding 22 in that run.
Palace have won just one of their last nine league games at Selhurst Park (D2 L6), while the Eagles have scored just six goals in their last 10 league games at Selhurst Park.
There have been three penalties scored in the last two Premier League meetings between these two sides.
Palace have picked up just eight points in the top-flight (W1 D5 L11) in 2016, a joint-low along with bottom side Aston Villa.
No Stoke player has scored more goals in a Premier League season than Marko Arnautovic has managed in this campaign (11, level with Diouf in 14/15 and Fuller in 08/09).
Scott Dann has scored five goals this season, a league-high among defenders (and as many as any other Crystal Palace player).
The Potters are now without a win in five top-flight games (D2 L3), their worst run since the start of the season (six without victory).
No side has scored more goals from corner situations in the Premier League this season than Crystal Palace (10, level with Manchester City and Tottenham).
Merson's predictions
I knew Stoke wouldn't lose last weekend after being beaten badly three on the trot, and I was impressed with Palace giving it a right go at Newcastle. Palace won't start resting players for the FA Cup final just yet, and it's the last home game of the season so I think they'll try and put on a bit of a show.
There's not a lot between these two sides. Some would say Stoke have been indifferent this season with Mark Hughes, but it's only really been the last few games. Other than that I think they've been very entertaining. Everybody is being judged compared to Leicester it seems, so for everyone else it's a bit of a benchmark, but they've finished above teams they probably didn't think they would at the start of the season.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 5/1)
Betting
Crystal Palace are evens to pick up the home win with their visitors priced up at 11/4, while the draw is 12/5.
After scoring in their 1-1 draw with Sunderland, Marco Arnautovic is 15/2 to score the opening goal of the game for the Potters, while Matt Le Tissier is backing first goalscorer favourite Connor Wickham to net first, a 5/1 Price Boost.
