Stoke City’s underwhelming display in the Premier League continued as they were held to a stalemate by a struggling West Ham United side. The Potters have drawn as many games as many they have won this season (10), currently sitting in the 12th position of the league table.
They are on level points with Watford, who still have one game in hand, and there is a possibility that Stoke will finish further below in the table. Despite having a good side that consists the likes of Xherdan Shaqiri, Joe Allen, Peter Crouch, Marko Arnautovic and more, Mark Hughes has done a poor job this campaign.
Stoke City will be playing Bournemouth next in their backyard and given their away form this season, Hughes won’t be very optimistic about the game. The Potters have collected just 13 points from 17 games away from home.
Vitality Stadium has previously stopped the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool and Stoke have managed to win just one of their last six games away to Bournemouth. They did lose to Bournemouth in the reverse fixture, and quite interestingly, they have never drawn a game against them since October 1991.
Possible Stoke City XI vs Bournemouth
Defence
Hughes had taken caution with Lee Grant last game benching him for the young Jack Butland under the bar. However, we expect the 34-year-old to return to action against Bournemouth this Saturday. Grant has been brilliant for Stoke this season, conceding 34 goals in 28 outings.
Except for Eric Pieters, who will replace Marc Muniesa in the left defensive flank, Hughes is expected to deploy a more or less same back line that drew against West Ham United last weekend. Glen Johnson will take his position on the right defensive flank.
The central defence will be taken by the usual Bruno Martins Indi and Ryan Shawcross. Joshua King and Benik Afobe hasn’t been the most lethal of forwards in the league, but they could strike in the unlikeliest of times.
Midfield
The midfield pivot should be taken by Glenn Whelan and Charlie Adam. The Scottish international stated from the bench last game, giving way to Geoff Cameron, but we expect him to return to the first team.
Joe Allen will start in the number 10 role yet again. The Welshman had a disappointing game against West Ham United last week and was even subbed off in the final quarter of the game to inject more attack.
Attack
The flanks are expected to be taken by Arnautovic and Shaqiri and Saido Berahino would lead the attack.
