Preview: Stoke City vs. West Ham United

Stoke City will be hoping to retain their place in the top half of the Premier League table with three points against West Ham United on Saturday.

The Potters have won just two of their last nine matches in the league, but Tony Pulis's men remain in 10th position.

Robert Huth is suspended after he was found guilty of violent conduct towards Philippe Senderos during last week's defeat to Fulham, while Matthew Etherington could miss the match with a back injury.

West Ham travel to Staffordshire on the back of four defeats in their last five matches which has seen them fall to 14th place in the table.

The Hammers were unfortunate to lose 3-2 at home to Tottenham Hotspur on Monday night, but manager Sam Allardyce will be eager to convert their performances into wins.

Jack Collison could replace Kevin Nolan, after the midfielder was ruled out for six weeks with a broken foot.

Recent form

Stoke City: LLDLWL

West Ham United: DLLWLL

Possible starting lineups

Stoke City: Begovic; Cameron, Shotton, Wilson, Shawcross; Kightly, Whelan, Nzonzi, Shea; Walters, Crouch

West Ham United: Jaaskelainen; Reid, O'Brien, Collins, Demel; Collison, Jarvis, Diame, J.Cole, O'Neil; Carroll

Sports Mole says: 2-1