Stoke City vs West Bromwich Albion. Premier League.
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Saturday 29 August 2015 15:24, UK
Stoke and West Brom are both still chasing their first victory of the Premier League season as the two sides prepare to clash at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday.
Mark Hughes' side have just two points from their opening three games, losing at home to Liverpool on opening day before drawing with Tottenham and Norwich.
The Baggies currently sit bottom of the league with just a single point to their name so far.
Team news
Bojan Krkic could make his first Premier League appearance of the season for Stoke after returning during the Capital One Cup in midweek, while Xherdan Shaqiri is in line for his home debut.
Hughes must also make a decision about forward Jonathan Walters, who came into the first XI and scored on Tuesday amid uncertainty over his future. Peter Odemwingie (hamstring) and Ryan Shawcross (back) remain sidelined.
Saido Berahino could return for West Brom despite the on-going speculation over his future. The striker, who has had a transfer request rejected, has missed the Baggies' last two games while Tottenham have had two bids turns down.
Boss Tony Pulis will assess his state of mind while Albion will also look at Callum McManaman, who picked up a niggle against Port Vale on Tuesday and Chris Brunt (hamstring) is a major doubt after he limped off in the League Cup win. Ben Foster remains sidelined with a long-term knee injury.
Stats
Stoke have won more Premier League games against West Brom (7) than against any other opponent.
West Brom have only scored five goals in 12 Premier League matches against Stoke City.
Mame Biram Diouf has scored three goals in three Premier League games against West Brom.
Rickie Lambert has scored in three of his five Premier League starts against Stoke.
Xherdan Shaqiri's pass completion rate on his debut (97 per cent) was the third best ever by a Stoke player to have attempted 30+ passes in a single PL game
Merson's prediction
I watched Stoke last week, and Xherdan Shaqiri did some impressive things. Stoke are a good team who play decent football. They're a different outfit in recent years, and I can't see anything but a home win.
The Saido Berahino situation at West Brom is a bit unsettling. Will he stay or will he go? Salomon Rondon or Rickie Lambert don't compare to Berahino. You can tell Tony Pulis isn't overly happy with what he's got, and I think they're in for a long season.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (Sky Bet odds 7/1)
Betting
Stoke have a great record in this fixture and Sky Bet make them 10/11 to extend that run against West Brom (16/5) with the draw available at 12/5. The Potters won this fixture 2-0 last season, a 7/1 shot this time, and haven't conceded in their last three home matches against the Baggies - a win to nil is 2/1 with the online bookmaker. Mame Biram Diouf netted first last week and the striker is 9/2 to break the deadlock on Saturday.
