Stoke City will be hosting Everton at the bet365 Stadium on Saturday evening as they try to keep their relegation survival hopes alive. A 2-0 loss to Manchester City was nothing out of the expected but still demoralizing to witness for all the Potters fans.
The champions-elect made the perfect start to proceedings, taking an early lead thanks to yet another brilliant team goals that began with Vincent Kompany at the back.
Man City’s captain fed the returning Fernandinho in midfield and, after a slick exchange of passes involving Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling, the England forward’s right-wing cross was swept home by David Silva’s composed finish, although Jack Butland may have done better in Stoke’s goal.
Silva scored his second of the night after 50 minutes, and his eighth league goal of the campaign, as Paul Lambert’s team were again undone by a breathtaking goal.
Fernandinho picked out the Spain international, who then found Jesus lurking just outside the box, with the forward’s lovely return pass allowing Silva to hook the ball over the advancing Butland to give Man City breathing space.
The visitors could have dealt out even more punishment with the Potters trying to get out of their own half.
It was a poor showing, to say the least, but some positive to take out for Paul Lambert. Now Stoke sit in the 19th spot of the points table and are going up against a side who are struggling to put up wins of their own.
Everton are struggling with 13 league losses already under their belt this season. However, their ambitions of finishing in the top half of the table are well protected after last weekend’s 2-0 win over Brighton And Hove Albion.
It would be in Lambert’s best interest to target the maximum three points in this fixture. Here is how Stoke might lineup on match day.
Formation : 4-3-3
Defence
Jack Butland is expected to get the nod in between the sticks.
Moritz Bauer and Kostas Stafylidis are the predicted starters on the flanks with the latter fielded on the left.
Ryan Shawcross and Kurt Zouma might get paired up in the centre-back positions. Martins Indi might be dropped in this fixture.
Midfield
Badou Ndiaye and Jeff Cameron are expected to feature in the holding midfield role behind Joe Allen who should get the nod in the attacking midfield role.
Attack
Peter Crouch is expected to start ahead of Jese in the number nine role. Xherdan Shaqiri might provide width from the right wing and Maxim Choupo-Moting from the left. Berahino might make a return from injury with a substitute appearance.