Stoke City have started their season in a poor fashion as the Potters are without a win after two game weeks of the new Premier League season. The Potters have conceded as many as five goals in two Premier League games which isn’t the type of defending that’d get you a place in Europe. Mark Hughes’ side started with a 1-1 draw against Premier League new boys Middlesbrough and after that a 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Pep Guardiola’s mighty Manchester City awaited them.
Stoke City must improve when they travel to Goodison Park on Saturday to face a new-look Everton side managed by Ronald Koeman. The Toffees have four points on the board from two games this season thanks to an impressive 1-1 draw against Spurs and a 2-1 win against West Brom. Life at Goodison Park started really well under the experienced Dutch manager and it will take something special from Stoke City to seal all three points from Goodison Park.
Here is the predicted Stoke City lineup against Everton.
Defence
Jack Butland is set to miss the game with an ankle injury which means veteran Shay Given will continue between the sticks. With Glen Johnson sidelined with an injury, Phil Bardsley will start in the right-back position. Skipper Ryan Shawcross will start at the heart of the defence alongside Philipp Wollscheid. Dutch left-back Erik Pieters will continue plying his trade in the left-back position. Stoke City must improve defensively if they have to salvage anything from Goodison Park.
Midfield
Glenn Whelan will start as the defensive midfielder and the Irishman’s key job will be to protect his back four. The 32-year-old will act as the ball winning midfielder and will be creating the foundation of the team from deep by spraying passes across the pitch. Joe Allen and Gianelli Imbula will start as the two box to box midfielders providing the industry and creativity in midfield.
Attack
Bojan Krkic is likely to start on the right flank as Xherdan Shaqiri is just coming back from an injury and is unlikely to start the game. Marko Arnautovic will start on the left flank while Peter Crouch is likely to make his way to the starting XI following his brilliant hat-trick against Stevenage in the League Cup.
