Two teams currently occupying mid-table positions meet at the Bet365 Stadium on Saturday.
After a difficult start to the season, Stoke have recovered in recent weeks and put together a run of just one defeat in eight games that has lifted them from the bottom three to 11th place.
Mark Hughes will be setting his sights on battling it out in the top half going into the New Year, but his side face a tough December; Saturday’s home match against Burnley is arguably their easiest task on paper in a month which includes trips to Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea.
Stoke City manager Mark Hughes
The Clarets make the trip looking to avoid a third consecutive defeat, but Stoke has not been the easiest venue for Burnley in recent years; their last win in the Potteries was in January 2005 courtesy of a Gary Cahill goal.
The hosts have a doubt over captain Ryan Shawcross, with Hughes explaining to the club’s official website that his key defender is struggling for fitness having missed last weekend’s win at Watford.
Stoke City’s Ryan Shawcross is a doubt for Saturday’s match
“Ryan is going out with the physios, he’s not back with the group yet and so I think he has to be doubtful for the weekend again.” the Welshman said.
“It’s a niggling injury right in the middle of the calf and you have to be careful with those because they can be a little bit problematic if you come back too soon,” he added.
Hughes is hoping to welcome back Glenn Whelan – who has missed the last two matches after picking up a knock on Ireland duty – but Stephen Ireland, Ibrahim Affelay, Phil Bardsley, Jack Butland and Geoff Cameron are definitely out for the Potters.
Joe Allen will also return for the home side after serving his one-match suspension last weekend, with the Welsh international looking to add to his tally of six goals for the season.
Stoke City’s Joe Allen celebrates scoring their first goal
Burnley’s major doubt is over goalkeeper Tom Heaton, who was absent for the first time in 143 league matches in last weekend’s defeat to Manchester City.
“We’ll give him another 24 hours and then make a decision,” manager Sean Dyche told the club’s official website, before going on to provide updates on the fitness of Dean Marney and Johann Berg Gudmundsson.
Burnley’s Tom Heaton
“Deano has got a decent chance of being back in amongst it,” he said.
“Johann is a definite hamstring strain. That’s just time and good treatment and looking after himself, which he will do. It’s a straight-forward hamstring but he won’t be ready for Saturday.”
Veteran stopper Paul Robinson is ready to deputise between the sticks again should Heaton fail to make it, with Burnley looking for three points that could take them into the top half if other results go their way.
Who will come out on top at the Bet365 Stadium? Leave your predictions below.
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