Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's coverage of the match in the Premier League between Stoke City and Tottenham Hotspur.

Much of the focus around the grounds in the Premier League this afternoon is on events in the bottom half of the table, but it's a different story at the Britannia Stadium. Stoke are gunning for their first top-half finish in the Premier League while Spurs need three points to keep the pressure on the teams around them who are fighting for European qualification.

This afternoon's lunchtime match between Southampton and Everton could have an effect on where the Potters and Spurs finish in a couple of weeks time. With 25 minutes remaining, the Saints currently hold a 2-0 advantage that would all but confirm their place in the top eight, but it could give Spurs hope of snatching fifth place from the Toffees if they can win in Staffordshire this afternoon.

The team news is in from the Potteries. Full details coming right up.

STOKE CITY XI: Begovic; Cameron, Wilson, Shawcross, Muniesa; Arnautovic, Whelan, Nzonzi, Odemwingie; Ireland; Crouch

STOKE CITY SUBSTITUTES: Sorensen, Pieters, Palacios, Adam, Walters, Assaidi, Wilkinson

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR XI: Lloris; Naughton, Dawson, Kaboul, Rose; Lennon, Chadli, Paulinho, Eriksen; Adebayor, Kane

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUBSTITUTES: Friedel, Fryers, Bentaleb, Sandro, Sigurdsson, Townsend, Soldado

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUBSTITUTES: Friedel, Fryers, Bentaleb, Sandro, Sigurdsson, Townsend, Soldado

The main news coming from today's teams is that Michael Dawson returns to the Spurs back four after a spell on the sidelines, but Jan Vertonghen remains absent with an ankle injury. Harry Kane retains his place in attack, with Roberto Soldado having to make do with a place on the bench.

As for Stoke, Marc Muniesa has been brought into the defence in place of Erick Pieters, who has been demoted to the bench. As expected, Peter Crouch leads the line with the in-form Peter Odemwingie in support.

How good does that pitch look at the Britannia! Don't be fooled by the sun though - it's very windy in Staffordshire today!

The Potters are out warming up, we're just over 30 minutes from kick off #SCFC pic.twitter.com/ua33j1BTXl — Stoke City FC (@stokecity) April 26, 2014

Now we are in the final stages of the season, it's a good time to assess how each team have performed throughout the campaign. After his disappointing spell at Queens Park Rangers, Mark Hughes didn't have too many supporters when he was placed in charge at Stoke City, but the Welshman has doing a fantastic job at the helm. The Potters diced with the bottom six in the standings for a while but their home form has been exemplary - they've lost just two games in 17 fixtures - and if it weren't for their dismal performances on the road, they could have been looking at eighth place. Still, if they can finish in the top half, everyone at Stoke will be delighted.

Tim Sherwood began his role as the club's new head coach in impressive style, but for the past two months, Andre Villas-Boas's replacement has received plenty of criticism and his position looks uncertain heading into the summer. However, 12 wins from 25 games and seven points from his last three fixtures isn't exactly a disaster and if Sherwood can end the campaign positively, he may be able to keep the job for next year.

If you take a look at our Stat Centre, you can see that both Stoke and Spurs are positively placed in the current form table. Stoke have 13 points from a possible 18, while their opponents have 10 points from six games. If only they could have performed like that all season!

PREDICTION! This match really could go either way. Stoke have the best home record outside of the top six, while Spurs have the fourth best away record in the Premier League. I don't expect this match to be goalless (trying not to tempt fate...), but if Spurs can continue their recent form in front of goal, I think they will edge out their hosts by a 2-1 scoreline.

As ever, we are all over the action up and down the country this afternoon. By clicking here, you can access our respective commentaries for the action in the Premier League and Championship, with match reports appearing soon after the half-time and full-time whistles.

The players are beginning to make their way out onto the pitch at the Britannia. As you could see from the picture earlier, it's a beautiful day in Stoke, but the football itself might be influenced by a strong breeze which will make its presence felt through the gaps between the stands at the stadium.

We are underway.

It's been a fast start by the visitors but they can't do anything with their early possession.

Christian Eriksen shows a quick turn of foot on the edge of the penalty area but his low drive is well blocked by Marc Wilson.

Should that have been a sending off? I've seen them given. Emmanuel Adebayor tangled with Ryan Shawcross before a stray elbow connected with the ear of the defender. Shawcross has spent the past two minutes receiving treatment but he looks fine to continue. Just a warning for Adebayor.

Stoke just haven't got going so far. After winning a corner, the ball was played to Aaron Lennon, whose inswinging delivery forced Asmir Begovic to tip the ball behind for a corner.

The home side finally make some inroads in the Spurs half but the visitors are quick to press out of defence and force Stoke to retreat. This has all the makings of an effective Tottenham performance.

Stoke deliver a ball into the box for Peter Crouch but just as he is about to head his team into the lead, Michael Dawson got back to intervene.

The first goals of this afternoon's 3pm kickoffs in the Premier League has been scored by Swansea City and West Bromwich Albion. They could be pivotal goals for both clubs as they try to stay in the top flight.

Stoke produce some attractive build-up play before Steven N'Zonzi lashes a 30-yard effort high into the stands. That was a bit of a waste.

Spurs have offered nothing since they dominated the early stages, and Stoke are very much the better side now. Peter Crouch almost bundled the ball over the line after challenging Hugo Lloris but the referee awarded a foul against the striker.

The visitors win a free kick on the left-hand side of the pitch but even though Christian Eriksen's set piece is a good one, no-one can apply the finishing touch.

SHOT! So close from Stephen Ireland! The playmaker jinked inside onto his right foot before curling a shot inches wide of Hugo Lloris's post. The Frenchman looked beaten there.

The Irishman nearly gets in again but after advancing into the penalty area, Michael Dawson made a last-ditch tackle before Ireland could get his shot away.

Tottenham break the deadlock at the Britannia Stadium! It's a wonderfully worked goal too. Emmanuel Adebayor moved past the defender before chipping the ball to the far post, where Rose powerfully headed into the corner from six yards.

How will that effect the dynamic of the match? Stoke were beginning to seize control but that goal could stop them in their tracks. That was Rose's first goal in the Premier League this season.

Spurs possess incredible pace on the break but on occasions, they are almost moving too quickly and it is having an effect on their final ball. Five minutes to go until half time.

Forget what I said about the weather being nice - it is hammering it down in Stoke now!

It's Stoke who are ending the half on top, and after Peter Crouch is denied a free header after a last-ditch challenge from Younes Kaboul, Kyle Naughton enters the book for a cynical pull-back on Stephen Ireland.

There will be two minutes of added-on time.

The half-time whistle has been blow at the Britannia Stadium with Spurs leading Stoke thanks to a goal from Danny Rose. It hasn't been the most eventful of 45 minutes but the visitors won't care. Much to ponder for Mark Hughes at the break.

Somehow, there were 13 shots during that opening 45 minutes. It didn't seem that many! There were just the two on target, one of which was Danny Rose's header. Stoke have had 56% of possession, while both teams have had three corners apiece.

Elsewhere in the Premier League, Swansea City and West Bromwich Albion look on the verge of moving away from the relegation zone. The Swans lead Aston Villa 2-1 while the Baggies are beating West Ham 1-0. It's still goalless between Fulham and Hull City.

I can't see Mark Hughes making any alterations just yet, but Oussama Assaidi and Jonathan Walters look the most likely options if the Welshman decides to act.

If you haven't heard, Jonjo Shelvey has scored an incredible goal for Swansea City this afternoon. Think Wayne Rooney versus West Ham United, but better.

We are back underway at the Britannia.

OUCH! That looked nasty! After sliding in to challenge Peter Odemwingie, Danny Rose took a blow to the head by the Nigerian's trailing boot. Thankfully, the left-back is back on his feet.

RED CARD! Ryan Shawcross has been sent off for Stoke! The defender picked up a second caution for a late challenge. He can have no complaints. The Potters have it all to do now!

Boos are ringing out around the Britannia, but I don't know why. It was a needless tackle.

SUBSTITUTION! Mark Hughes has reacted to that dismissal by bringing on Pieters for the unfortunate Stephen Ireland.

As you can imagine, Spurs are pressing forward at every opportunity and Stoke are having to work hard to keep the score at 1-0. It looks an uphill battle for the Potters from here on. 30 minutes remaining.

SUBSTITUTION! Mark Hughes makes his second change of the afternoon, introducing Oussama Assaidi in place of Peter Crouch.

CHANCE! What an opportunity for Stoke! A sustained spell of possession ends with a cross finding Peter Odemwingie at the near post but his header from inside the six-yard box is sent high over the crossbar!

BOOKING! Danny Rose goes into the referee's book after retaliating to a challenge from Geoff Cameron. It was all a bit silly from the left-back and he could have received worse punishment.

Remarkablly, it's all Stoke now! They are having plenty of success down the right but after a cross from Steven N'Zonzi in space at the back post, he could only head over the crossbar.

SUBSTITUTION! Danny Rose is a red card waiting to happen and is wisely withdrawn by Sherwood. The defender is assisted straight to the dressing room.

Stoke win a free kick 25 yards from goal which Marko Arnautovic will take, but it's a dismal effort that goes straight into the Spurs wall.

Despite their one-man disadvantage, Stoke are still in this. Tottenham's level has dropped and Stoke has showing plenty of desire to avoid falling to just their third home defeat of the campaign.

Tottenham win a free kick on the edge of the area after a threatening run from Gylfi Sigurdsson. It's a terrific strike from Christian Eriksen but his shot cleared the bar by a yard.

Sugurdsson has looked superb since coming on and another driving run towards goal sees him strike the ball just wide of the target. Stoke need to find their second wind because Spurs have upped the tempo.

Andros Townsend has been taken out by a crude tackle and is struggling to shake off the knock. He has only been on the pitch a matter of minutes. Let's hope its not significant damage to the winger.

Stoke almost get in behind the Spurs defence but not for the first time, Younes Kaboul gets back to win the ball. The Frenchman and Dawson have been excellent.

CHANCE! Marko Arnautovic hangs his head in shame after wasting a glorious opening for Stoke. In a three-on-one situation, the winger decided to go for goal, which was probably the correct call, but he scuffed his shot and the ball trickled straight at Hugo Lloris.

Despite his team hanging onto a slender lead, Younes Kaboul has just ran the length of the pitch to try to score, but after getting into the penalty area, he was denied a shooting opportunity. There will be four minutes of added-on time.

BOOKING! Geoff Cameron is booked for a late tackle on Harry Kane.

CHANCE! Spurs continue to push for a second, but after being played in on goal, Asmir Begovic makes a fine block from Paulinho.

The full-time whistle goes at the Britannia Stadium and Spurs have held on to earn three points against 10-man Stoke. The visitors probably deserved the win, but Stoke and Mark Hughes will be ruing the opportunities that they wasted in the second half.

That win sees Tottenham close the gap on Everton in fifth place to three points, but with the Toffees possessing a better goal difference, it seems a tough ask to overhaul the Merseyside club. Stoke remain in 10th after that defeat.

That will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for joining us and be sure to return for all of the remaining Premier League fixtures that will place over the next couple of weeks. Goodbye for now!