The Potters host Tottenham this Saturday in a game that sees two sides who are in good form of late, both showing themselves to be hard to beat, but with differing styles. Stoke have a decent home record this season and have already beaten Arsenal aswell as Manchester City, Blackburn, Burnley, West Ham, Sunderland, Fulham and Portsmouth whilst only losing to Manchester United, Birmingham, Arsenal and Chelsea. Spurs have improved on last season, being physically stronger and more organised, but the pressure is building now with the seasons end nearing and Spurs still in 4th. In the 39 matches between these sides at Stoke, the Potters have won 20, the visitors 10 and nine have been drawn. Last season when the pair clashed at the Britannia the game ended 1-0 to the Potters. Overall Spurs have won 37 times to the Potters 22, even though the Potters won for only the second time at White Hart Lane earlier this season, and have never done the double over Spurs. The referee is Mike Dean. He took charge as Stoke beat Pompey 2-1 away this season, aswell as the 2-1 defeats to Chelsea and Hull and the 2-2 draw with Wigan. He has refereed Spurs twice this season, a 2-0 home win over Fulham and a 5-0 home win over Burnley. Prediction: Stoke pick up a high tempo from the off, forcing Spurs on to the back foot. The opener comes against the run of play, Defoe finding the net from 18 yards, before Shawcross nets a late leveller on his return to the side
Stoke sit 11th in the Premier League, are virtually safe, and reached the quarter finals of the FA Cup but still have hopes of finishing in the top half. Spurs are flying in the Premier League and will be hoping to gain another three points in their quest to hold onto their top four spot.
The Met Office report that there will be light rain, temperatures of 10 degrees celsius, good visibility and a breezy 10mph wind.