EPL: Crystal Palace v Stoke City preview

Crystal Palace v Stoke City preview

Bottom club Crystal Palace will be looking to close the gap on the sides above them by beating Stoke at Selhurst Park on Saturday.

The Eagles are currently three points adrift at the bottom of the standings after collecting just one win and five points from their opening 12 top-flight games this term.

Only Everton have escaped relegation from such a poor position at this stage of a Premier League season, but Palace will take heart from the fact they are unbeaten in their last three home matches.

Roy Hodgson's side also boast an impressive home record against Stoke, as they have never lost in four previous Premier League meetings between the two teams at Selhurst Park, while the Potters last win at the venue came over a decade ago when both clubs were playing in the Championship.

Christian Benteke could make his first Palace start since September after recovering from a knee injury, while Patrick van Aanholt and Jordon Mutch are also available to feature.

Stoke will head into the match having collected four points from their last two away games, a run that has moved them four points clear of the relegation zone and eight ahead of their opponents on Saturday.

Defensive frailties have been the Potters main concern so far this term, as they have shipped two goals or more in seven of their last nine league games, although they did keep a clean sheet the last time they faced Palace, a match they won 1-0 at the bet365 Stadium in February.

Boss Mark Hughes must decide whether or not to risk Xherdan Shaqiri for Saturday's match, as he is struggling with a hamstring complaint, while the game will come too soon for both defender Geoff Cameron and first-choice goalkeeper Jack Butland.