The Potters welcome the visit of Wigan this weekend in a game that sees both sides hoping for a much needed win.
Stoke proudly sit 10th in the Premier League and are looking to build on this seasons results but know after this game they have a lot of difficult games and could do with the three points. Wigan are the other side of halfway in the Premier League and have suffered a 9-1 defeat to Tottenham and a home loss to Birmingham recently.
Stoke have carried on their formidable home record this season and have already beaten Burnley, Sunderland, West Ham and Portsmouth at home, losing only to Chelsea and Manchester United. Wigan have struggled on their travels losing six of their last seven trips, including a 9-1 reverse at Spurs, 4-0 loss at Pompey and 2-1 defeat at Hull
In the 11 matches between these sides at Stoke, the Potters have won 7, the Latics one and one have been drawn. Last seasons clash at the Britannia Stadium saw the game end 2-0 in the hosts favour, Wigan's first defeat at Stoke in four games. Wigan have never scored a top flight goal against Stoke. Overall Wigan have won 5 times to the Potters 10.
Abdoulaye Faye and Thomas Sorenson will both be making their 50th start for Stoke should they start Saturdays game.
Mike Dean is taking charge of Saturdays game. He refereed the Potters in their home loss to Chelsea in September, aswell as the away defeat to Hull but also in the game that won the Potters promotion in May 2008. This is the first time Dean has reffed Wigan this season but he reffed the Latics four times last season with three wins and one draw for Roberto Martinez's side.
The Met Office report that there will be overcast conditions, temperatures of 6 degrees celsius, very good visibility and a weak 5mph wind..
Prediction: The Potters will come out fighting and take an early lead through Ricardo Fuller. The Jamaican sets up Etherington for a second before Rodallega pulls a goal back. Tuncay comes on to wrap up a 3-1 win late on