Stoke v Crystal Palace predicted XI: System change, new signing set for debut?

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Here is how we expect Stoke City and Crystal Palace to line-up for their Premier League clash this weekend.

To be played on Saturday 11th February 2017 at 16:00. Venue: bet365 Stadium, Stoke

Odds: Stoke 11/10, Draw 9/4, C. Palace 14/5

Crystal Palace manager Sam Allardyce will be hoping to redeem last week’s humiliation at the hands of fellow relegation threatened Sunderland as he prepares his charges for the trip to Stoke’s Bet365 stadium.

Ahead of the encounter, Allardyce is boosted by the return to training of January signing Jeffrey Schlupp and experienced goalkeeper Steve Mandanda – with both available for consideration to start against Stoke.

See also: Crystal Palace fans react to Sunderland loss – Better off with Pardew?

Indeed, considering the recent ordeals of current stopper Wayne Hennessey, Allardyce may opt to remove the Wales international from the line-up, and limelight, in preference for the fit again Mandanda or third option Julian Speroni.

However, in all likelihood Speroni’s lack of game time, in addition to Mandana’s fragility after surgery, should ultimately provide Hennessey with an opportunity to prove his worth against Stoke.

Schlupp is more likely to be afforded a starting berth on the left side of Palace’s midfield, seeing defender Damien Delaney stepping aside to enable a change of system to 4-5-1. Schlupp’s return may also aid the performance of left back Patrick Van Aanholt – after the fellow big money January signing endured a torrid fan reaction after last weekend’s loss to Sunderland.

See also: Jovial embrace fails to endear Van Aanholt to Palace fans

New signing Luka Milivojevic has been granted his visa and is in line to make his first appearance for Palace against the Potters.

Meanwhile, Stoke City are expected to continue easing forward Sadio Berahino back into match fitness with a role from the substitutes bench – with the in-form Peter Crouch retaining his spot in the starting XI.

It is anticipated that manager Mark Hughes will make two changes of his own – with last week’s starters Phil Bardsley being replaced at right back by Glen Johnson and Xherdan Shaqiri preferred to Ibrahim Afellay.