The Potters welcome Newcastle to the Britannia Stadium in another big game, with a place in the top half of the Premier League up for grabs.
Stoke finished 13th last season in the Premier League and comfortably beat their opponents at the Brit, winning by four goals to nil. The visitors finished 12th in the table, pipping the Potters to the position by one goal on goal difference.
Stoke had a very good home record last season and beat fourteen sides at the Brit, suffering only five defeats and have already beaten seven sides and drew with two in ten home games this season. City have also lost only twice in 22 times at home in 2011. The Geordies have won twice and drew twicein four games away from home in the league this season .
In the 40 matches between these sides at Stoke, the Potters have won 19, the visitors 9 and twelve have been drawn. Last season when the pair clashed at the Britannia Stadium the Potters thrashed the Toon Army 4-0. Overall Newcastle have won 39 times to the Potters 23 victories.
The referee is Mike Dean. He has reffed Stoke once this season. the 1-0 away win against West Bromwich Albion. He hasn't refereed Newcastle this campaign but reffed 'Castle four times, the 1-0 win away at Arsenal, 4-1 win at home to Wolves, 5-0 home win against West Ham and 3-1 defeat away at West Brom.
The Met Office report that there will be light rain, temperatures of a chilly 9 degrees celsius, moderate visibility with an 11mph breeze.
Prediction: The Potters get on the front foot early and take the lead through Peter Crouch before Jermaine Pennant and Cameron Jerome add to the tally after the break