Stoke City will be looking to continue their good form of late when they host playoff-chasing Norwich City at the bet365 Stadium in the Championship on Saturday afternoon.
The Potters have stolen points off some big players in this division over the past three matches, whilst Norwich have stumbled as they hunt down the top six.
Match preview
© Reuters
Since the FA Cup defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion at the end of February, Stoke have produced some of the league's most-notable results - the highlight of those surely being a 5-1 away win at the Stadium of Light against Sunderland.
Alex Neil's side have left it too late to mount a playoff push, yet they are still having a major say in matters at the top end of the table, taking points off the Black Cats, Blackburn Rovers and Middlesbrough in the last three.
Right-back Ki-Jana Hoever made it three goals in two matches by netting the equaliser at the Riverside on Tuesday night, a strike which allowed the visiting Potters to earn a point following Chuba Akpom opening the scoring for Michael Carrick's men.
Seven points collected in their last three games has seen Stoke rise to 14th in the second-tier standings, and with 12th-placed Sunderland just five points ahead, the club's first top-half finish since being relegated from the Premier League in 2018 appears to be a realistic aim.
Stoke have actually fared worse at the bet365 stadium than on their Championship travels this year, with only 22 of their 47 points so far coming at their Staffordshire home - the likes of Dwight Gayle and William Smallbone will be hopeful of firing in the goals to improve that record on Saturday.
© Reuters
During a five-game unbeaten run in February - which saw them earn 13 points - it appeared that Norwich's promotion charge was truly back on track under the new stewardship of David Wagner, but adversity is never too far away in the Championship.
The East Anglian club have managed just one point from their last two fixtures, losing at home to Sunderland on Sunday afternoon before being frustratingly held to a 1-1 draw at relegation-threatened Huddersfield Town.
Wagner's men dominated possession at the John Smith's Stadium and created the lion's share of the chances, but a second-half own goal from Grant Hanley cancelled out Gabriel Sara's opener, meaning the points were shared in Yorkshire.
With playoff rivals Luton Town and Millwall both recording back-to-back wins over the past week, the Canaries have fell behind the top-six pace slightly and now sit in seventh, four points behind Gary Rowett's Lions in sixth.
Norwich fans have been accustomed to plain-sailing Championship titles over the past four years, but if they are to be promoted this season, it will be via a more arduous route than those associated with the club have become used to.
Team News
© Reuters
Stoke welcomed back Ben Wilmot to the matchday squad against Boro following a short spell out with injury, and the 23-year-old is expected to partner Axel Tuanzebe in the Potters' backline again in this one.
Neil is hopeful of having Phil Jagielka available for selection after his spell on the sidelines, whereas Nick Powell needs to regain fitness before being considered for a place in a Championship 18-man squad.
Bersant Celina has been absent in recent games due to illness and now has to fight his way back into the fold, with the five-loanee rule preventing manager Neil from selecting the 26-year-old.
Norwich will be without winger Marquinhos for the trip to Staffordshire after the Brazilian received his marching orders late on at Huddersfield - the player will serve a one-match suspension.
Onel Hernandez is set for a spell on the sidelines due to an ankle injury, with the Cuban travelling to London this week to see a specialist, who will in turn determine whether the attacker requires surgery.
Adam Idah and Ben Gibson are doubts for Saturday's clash due to foot and hamstring issues respectively, leaving Wagner short on options at both ends of the pitch.
Stoke City possible starting lineup:
Bonham; Hoever, Tuanzebe, Wilmot, Sterling; Pearson, Laurent, Brown, Smallbone, Campbell; Gayle
Norwich City possible starting lineup:
Gunn; Aarons, Hanley, Omobamidele, Giannoulis; McLean, Tzolis, Sorensen, Sara, Sargent; Pukki
We say: Stoke City 2-1 Norwich City
Stoke continue a tough run of fixtures by welcoming Norwich to the bet365 Stadium on Saturday, although they will be confident of extending their unbeaten run to four games following impressive performances over the past week.
The Canaries suffered a disappointing result and more injury setbacks at Huddersfield in the week, and we feel those circumstances could contribute to another poor showing this weekend.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Carter White
