Stoke City welcome the mighty Tottenham Hotspur to the Bet365 Stadium as they strive to bring about a change in the fortunes with a desperate desire to move up as quickly as possible from the bottom position of the league. Mark Hughes has worked to bring about a transformation in the playing style and has been at it for the past couple of years but the end product has been missing this season. After an impressive last season, they were expected to kick on with their quest to challenge for the Top 8 spot. But the lack of a good striker and injury to Shaqiri has stopped the team from fully expressing themselves this season. Their main player Marko Arnautovic has not been in the best of form and will have to raise his game as the need for points grows with each passing game.
They will be up against the formidable Spurs who have their issues to deal with. The stars of last season especially Alli and Harry Kane have simply failed to turn up till now and will have to step up with pressure on their respective positions. Especially Alli, with the likes of Sissoko and the imminent return of Dembele putting pressure on him. It will be a well fought out match with both sides quietly confident of being able to nick the points.
HERE IS THE PREDICTED STOKE CITY LINE-UP AGAINST TOTTENHAM (4-2-3-1)
DEFENCE
With Jack Butland a long time absentee, Given will look to raise his performance between the sticks. Bardsley will hope to start another match at right-back with the possibility of Glen Johnson returning quite high. Ryan Shawcross will look to start off a potentially successful partnership with Bruno Martins Indi on a positive note. While Eric Pieters will have to improve at left-back.
MIDFIELD
While Mark Hughes employed a 4-1-4-1 strategy against Everton he will look to revert to a 4-2-3-1 with a double pivot of Imbula and Joe Allen. The duo has the potential to strike up a promising partnership and should be given the freedom to express themselves. Imbula’s underrated dribbling ability is reminiscent of Dembele and he can affect damage from the deep central areas. Bojan will look to come back into the starting eleven in the No.10 role.
ATTACK
Hughes will hope to have his star players Marko Arnautovic and Xherdan Shaqiri line up on the two flanks as the Potters will be excited to see how Wilfried Bony gets along with his new teammates.
