Mark Hughes’ Stoke City travel south to SE25 to take on a Palace side that has been able to buck a poor trend of form and have now only lost one in the last four games
Eagles boss Neil Warnock has this week heaped praise on Congolese winger Yannick Bolasie over his recent performances. However, he insists that Palace must be more clinical after seeing his side astonishingly come away from White Hart Lane with just a point after dominating most of the proceedings last Saturday.
After seeing his side lose three and win one of their last four, Welshman Hughes will be eager to see his side capitalise on their impressive first half performance against Arsenal that saw them lead 3-0 at one point. The Potters boss was critical of the defending that almost saw Arsenal complete a turnaround with two late goals.
Stoke are currently in thirteenth place, four points ahead of the Eagles. They brought in seven players in the summer – Bojan Krkic, Phil Bardsley, Steve Sidwell and Mame Biam Diouf. A familiar face from South East London is unlikely to line up on Saturday due to injury, former Palace academy product Victor Moses. The Nigerian winger left Selhurst for Wigan Athletic in 2009 shortly after Palace entered administration for the second time.
Warnock has mentioned in recent days that he is looking to bolster his ranks when the January transfer window opens by targeting three players to boost the striking options. Another defender and midfielder are also on his radar.
Irish international striker Kevin Doyle has returned to his parent club Wolverhampton Wanderers whilst it is unclear whether Glenn Murray will return from his loan spell at Championship side Reading after impressing with eight goals for the Berkshire outfit so far this season. Should he return to South London it is likely he could work his way back in to the starting line up.
Team News
Crystal Palace – Adrian Mariappa remains on the sidelines for this one. The Jamaican international has missed the last few weeks through an injury sustained in training. Striker Dwight Gayle was on the bench for the draw against Spurs as he recovered from the illness that forced him off against Aston Villa. Palace have no new injury concerns for this one
Stoke City – Marc Muinesa may have to keep filling in at centre back as Marc Wilson may not recover in time to make trip to South London. Robert Huth might be start to ease Stoke’s defensive worries. The big German defender returned to the bench after his calf injury. Marko Arnautovic will miss this one.
Analysis and Predictions
Prediction for Stoke City – 12th
Stoke have established themselves as a Premier League team in the last few years and were really coming along under Tony Pulis’ leadership. However, when his reign at the Britannia Stadium ended, a lot of Potters fans were outraged when Hughes was appointed. Europa League football is not beyond the realms of possibility for Stoke with the squad they have. It would not be surprising to see them up at the right end of the table by the time the season ends.
EPL Index Prediction – home win
Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson prediction – draw
Who Scored predictions – draw
My prediction – home win
Leave your comments for Adam below this article, on our Facebook page or Tweet us your views ahead of the home game against Stoke City.
