Stoke City will be looking to register their fourth successive Premier League win on Saturday when they travel to Birmingham to take on Aston Villa.
Their five-game unbeaten run has seen the Potters climb up to ninth in the table with 22 points from 15 matches, 10 points above the relegation zone and just four off the final European spot.
On the other hand, the Villans are struggling in 15th with 14 points and are only two points above the bottom three.
However, Paul Lambert's side will head into their home encounter against Stoke on the back on a three-match unbeaten run that has seen them collect five points, including an encouraging goalless draw with Arsenal at Villa Park.
Stoke's Charlie Adam will miss the game because of suspension after picking up his fifth booking of the season against West Bromwich Albion last weekend.
Recent form
Aston Villa: LLDWD
Stoke City: WDWWW
Possible starting lineups
Aston Villa: Guzan; Lowton, Clark, Baker, Lichaj; Holman, Bannan, Westwood, Herd, Agbonlahor; Benteke
Stoke City: Begovic; Shotton, Shawcross, Huth, Cameron; Walters, Whelan, Whitehead, Nzonzi, Etherington, Jones
Sports Mole says: 1-2
Subhankar Mondal
