Stoke City will look to keep gathering momentum in their quest for revival when they square up against Swansea City at the Bet 365 Stadium tonight. After a chastening run of 4 consecutive defeats, the Potters have steadied themselves slightly and are currently on an unbeaten run of 4 games, winning two and drawing two in the process.
They will be out for their 3rd consecutive win against Bob Bradley’s boys who picked up his first point against Watford last weekend. But a Swansea side, winless since the opening game week need to pull up their socks big time now.
TEAM NEWS
STOKE CITY
Stoke defender Geoff Cameron is a doubt after hyperextending his knee during last week’s victory over Hull City.
Phil Bardsley is another potential absentee, having been given compassionate leave following the death of his grandfather.
SWANSEA CITY
Swansea’s Jefferson Montero is back in training after a calf injury and could be included among the substitutes.
Fernando Llorente is fit to start, having made his injury comeback off the bench last weekend.
PREDICTED LINE-UPS
STOKE CITY (4-2-3-1)
Grant; Bardsley, Shawcross, Martins Indi, Pieters; Whelan, Cameron; Shaqiri, Allen, Arnautovic; Bony
SWANSEA CITY (4-2-3-1)
Fabianski; Naughton, van der Hoorn, Mawson, Kingsley; Britton, Ki; Barrow, Sigurdsson, Routledge; Gonzalez
KEY MEN
STOKE CITY
XHERDAN SHAQIRI
The Swiss maestro came up two brilliant goals to help his team see off Hull City 2-0 in their previous assignment. And he will be expected to continue his rich vein of form as the likes of Arnautovic and Bony get into their groove. Joe Allen has also shown glimpses of his attacking prowess which will hold the Potters in good stead once they start to click in unison. Shaqiri’s free-kick accuracy and his dribbling ability are proving to be a nightmare for the defenders and it is believed once he hits his top form, Stoke’s position in the League table will surely improve.
SWANSEA CITY
GYLFI SIGURDSSON
Gylfi Sigurdsson hasn’t yet hit the heights that were expected of him this season. He has looked threatening and visibly retains his long-range shooting prowess but it has not yet converted into anything meaningful for the Swans. He has able strikers in front of him in the form of Fernando Llorente and Borja Baston but they have not yet hit it off till now. With the Stoke defence finding its feet after an abysmal start, the opportunity is there for Sigurdsson to get his scoring form back.
BETTING ODDS
STOKE CITY-11/10
DRAW-5/2
SWANSEA CITY-14/5
