Preview: West Ham United vs. Stoke City

West Ham United will be looking to move into fifth place in the Premier League with a victory over Stoke City at home on Monday.

The Hammers have made an impressive return to the English top flight and are currently seventh in the table with 18 points from 11 matches.

Sam Allardyce's side also have a strong record at home, having taken 11 points from a possible 18 at Upton Park so far this campaign.

On the other hand, Stoke have yet to win away from home in the Premier League this season, and are just three points above the relegation zone in 14th.

As a matter of fact, Tony Pulis's team have not bagged a victory on the road in the league since January 2.

West Ham will be without Jack Collison and Ricardo Vaz Te due to a knee and a shoulder injury respectively. Matthew Taylor has returned to training after overcoming a calf injury.

Michael Owen will miss out for Stoke with a hamstring problem, while Glenn Whelan too is suffering from a similar injury.

Dean Whitehead is suspended for the Potters, who will also be without the injured duo of Rory Delap and Marc Wilson for Monday's clash.

Recent form

West Ham: LWLDW

Stoke: DLDLW

Possible starting lineups:

West Ham: Jaaskelainen; O'Brien, Reid, Tomkins, McCartney; Benayoun, Noble, Diame, Jarvis; Nolan, Carroll

Stoke: Begovic; Cameron, Huth, Shawcross, Wilkinson; Etherington, Nzonzi, Whelan, Adam, Walters; Crouch

Sports Mole says: 3-1