Stoke v Crystal Palace preview: Mark Hughes' side target home win
Saturday 19 December 2015 15:31, UK
Stoke can move level on points with Crystal Palace in the Premier League if they beat the Eagles at the Britannia on Saturday.
Mark Hughes' side have been building momentum in recent months, winning four of their last six matches, including a 2-0 victory over Manchester City in their last home game.
They have also been impressive defensively, keeping seven clean sheets in their previous nine games.
But Palace are also on a good run of form and could cement their place in the top six with victory. The Eagles start the weekend sixth in the table after three wins from their last five matches.
They were also boosted this week by the news of American investment in the club, with chairman Steve Parish saying it represents a "new era" for the Eagles.
Team news
Xherdan Shaqiri could return for Stoke after missing last weekend's goalless draw at West Ham with a hamstring strain.
Geoff Cameron is out with a hamstring problem but could be fit to face Manchester United on Boxing Day.
Palace will wait to see if captain Mile Jedinak will be fit after he rolled his ankle in training earlier this month and was absent from the 1-0 win against Southampton.
Joe Ledley has returned and could be available, but Bakary Sako and Dwight Gayle remain sidelined.
Opta stats
The side scoring first has only gone on to win once in the four previous Premier League meetings between Stoke and Palace.
Yohan Cabaye has scored four goals in four Premier League matches against Stoke .
Crystal Palace have won 10 of their last 15 away games in the Premier League (D1 L4).
As well as making the joint-most saves (67 - alongside Costel Pantilimon) in the league this season, Jack Butland has the best saves to shots ratio (82.7 per cent).
Stoke City's 16 Premier League games this season have produced just 27 goals; the fewest in the league.
Crystal Palace are the only side to have not been behind at half-time in the league this season (winning three and drawing 13 at the interval).
Paul Merson's prediction
This will be a good game. Stoke have had six clean sheets in seven games, but I actually think this one will be entertaining.
Crystal Palace have a right go away from home, and Stoke, when they get going, are good too. I think this is the potential game of the day.
It was important for Alan Pardew to recover from the shock defeat against Sunderland last month with a few good results.
He's definitely one of the managers of the year. He's got a fantastic team, and I do like watching them. They play the right way and have a right go from the first whistle.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-2 (14/1 with Sky Bet)
Betting
Stoke are 6/4 favourites ahead of their clash with Palace (2/1), with the draw a 21/20 shot. The Potters are currently 11th in the table and look good value at 13/8 to secure a top-half finish, while Palace are available at 7/2 to secure a berth in the top six come next May.
Stoke to win by exactly one goal is available at 3/1 with Palace 7/2 to edge it by a goal. Mame Diouf, Jon Walters and Bojan are all rated at 11/2 to score first for Stoke while Connor Wickham is a 7/1 favourite to break the deadlock for Palace.
