Stoke City vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Date: 10/02/18
K/O: 15.00pm
Venue: Bet365 Stadium
Paul Lambert’s Stoke City host Brighton & Hove Albion at the Bet365 on Saturday, in a game that could accurately be described as a crucial relegation clash, with just three points separating the sides in the Premier League table.
Brighton’s £14m record signing Jurgen Locadia is likely to made his debut for the club after recovering from a hamstring injury, whilst midfielders Steve Sidwell and Jiri Skalak remain sidelined for Chris Hughton’s side.
Brighton are without a win at Stoke in 15 league matches since a 1-0 second tier victory in September 1961, and three points at the Bet365 on Saturday would be of pivotal importance in lifting Brighton away from the relegation battle.
Stoke forward Jese is in the squad for the first time since the birth of his premature son in December, and defender Bruno Martins Indi is set to return after missing the defeat by Bournemouth with a minor injury.
Stoke have unquestionably seen an upturn in results since Paul Lambert’s appointment, and were unlucky to lose at Bournemouth last weekend having taken the lead.
Embed from Getty ImagesThis will be a crucial clash for both sides, and if Stoke are able to take three points, it will take Lambert’s tally to seven points from an available 12 in his first four PL games.
Predicted starting XI’s:
Stoke City: Butland; Bauer, Zouma, Shawcross, Pieters; Allen, Cameron, Ndiaye; Shaqiri, Diouf, Choupo-Moting.
Brighton: Ryan; Schelotto, Dunk, Duffy, Bong; Knockaert, Stephens, Propper, Izquierdo; Gross; Murray.
Prediction: Stoke City 1 Brighton 1
Written by Tom Newman.
