West Ham United will be hoping to end a run of five Premier League matches without a win when they host Stoke City at Upton Park this weekend.
Just a point separates the two sides, who made contrasting starts to the season, ahead of Saturday's match.
West Ham United
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West Ham have not won since their 2-1 victory over Chelsea in October, with last week's goalless draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford their fifth straight match without a win.
Slaven Bilic's side won six of their first 10 matches in the league this season, but injuries have hampered the team in recent weeks, with Dimitri Payet and Enner Valencia among those currently missing for the Hammers, who sit seventh in the table.
Despite their form over the last month, West Ham have one of the strongest attacks in the top flight, scoring 25 goals in their first 15 matches - only four sides, including the top three, have netted more often.
The team have struggled defensively at times though, conceding 21 times so far and keeping four clean sheets, with their first in 10 fixtures coming last weekend.
Despite their record at the back this season, West Ham could reportedly lose two of their defenders in the January transfer window, with former Hammers manager Sam Allardyce thought to be keen to bring James Tomkins and James Collins to Sunderland.
West Ham's best performances have come away from home this season, with Bilic's side securing just two victories in seven matches at Upton Park.
Recent form: WLDLDD
Stoke City
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Having made their worst ever start to a Premier League campaign this season, Stoke City find themselves in strong form heading into the festive period, winning three of their last four matches.
Mark Hughes's side stunned Manchester City last weekend, with Marko Arnautovic scoring twice in the opening 15 minutes in the 2-0 win at the Britannia Stadium. Stoke's last three wins have all come against sides that qualified for Europe last season, with Southampton and Chelsea also losing to the Potters in recent weeks.
Stoke have been known for being difficult to beat at home since winning promotion to the top flight for the 2008-09 season, but the team have lost fewer times away from the Britannia this season.
The form of goalkeeper Jack Butland has helped the team this season, with the England international keeping six clean sheets while letting in just 14 goals - only three teams have conceded fewer times.
The keeper's performances have resulted in him being linked with a move away from Stoke, but Butland has insisted that he is happy at the club, despite it being suggested that he could replace David de Gea at Manchester United.
No side has scored fewer goals than Stoke though, with the Potters finding the back of the net just 13 times so far this season. Arnautovic leads the scoring for the team, with five goals in 14 appearances this campaign.
Recent form: LDWWLW
Recent form (all competitions): DWWLWW
Team News
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West Ham have a lengthy list of absentees for this match, with Victor Moses, Winston Reid and Manuel Lanzini all picking up injuries in the last week.
Diafra Sakho remains sidelined with a thigh injury, which is expected to keep him out for a number of months, while Payet is still several weeks away from a return, but Valencia has a chance of making the matchday squad this weekend.
Stoke are still without Peter Crouch, who has a hamstring injury, while Shay Given is continuing to recover from a knee injury, and Peter Odemwingie, who has missed time recently with a hamstring complaint, is a doubt.
Marc Muniesa has also been struggling with a hamstring injury, but is expected to be fit enough to make the trip for the Potters.
West Ham United possible starting lineup:
Adrian, Tomkins, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Song, Antonio, Noble, Kouyate, Zarate, Carroll
Stoke City possible starting lineup:
Butland, Johnson, Shawcross, Wollscheid, Pieters, Cameron, Whelan, Shaqiri, Afellay, Arnautovic, Krkic
Head To Head
Both of the meetings between these two sides in the Premier League last season resulted in draws, with the stalemate at Upton Park in April ending 1-1 after Arnautovic cancelled out an early strike from Aaron Cresswell in stoppage time.
West Ham have won just one of their last seven matches against Stoke and two in 12, last claiming a 1-0 win at the Britannia in 2013.
In 54 previous meetings between the two teams, West Ham have won 20 matches while Stoke have 22 victories, and 12 matches have ended with draws.
We say: West Ham United 0-1 Stoke City
With so many attacking players sidelined, it is difficult to see West Ham creating many chances against a Stoke side that have proved difficult to score against this season, particularly with Bilic's charges struggling to produce their best performances at home. With Stoke's lack of goals though, it is unlikely that the visitors will come away with a big winning margin.
Sian Cowper
