Good afternoon folks, and welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary of the Premier League clash between Stoke City and Leicester City!

Five games into the season and these two teams could not have had more contrasting starts. The Potters have an impressive and well-drilled squad at their disposal, with such names as Ibrahim Afellay, Marco van Ginkel, Bojan Krkic and Xherdan Shaqiri among their ranks - yet they are in the bottom three of the table.

Meanwhile the Foxes, who were down and out last season as late as March but rallied round to survive in spectacular fashion, have made a storming start to the current campaign - and currently sit second, just behind the so-far all-conquering behemoths of Manchester City.

Brace yourselves for the team news, which are filtering through this very moment...

STOKE CITY STARTING XI: Butland; Johnson, Cameron, Wilson, Pieters; Van Ginkel, Whelan; Shaqiri, Bojan, Arnautovic; Walters

LEICESTER CITY STARTING XI: Schmeichel, De Laet, Huth, Morgan, Schlupp, Kante, Drinkwater, Inler, Mahrez, Okazaki, Vardy

STOKE SUBS: Given, Muniesa, Ireland, Odemwingie, Joselu, Crouch, Wollscheid

LEICESTER SUBS: Schwarzer, King, Albrighton, Simpson, Kramaric, Ulloa, Benalouane

The key change for Stoke is one that is sure to make their fans ecstatic - playmaker Bojan Krkic makes his first league start since January following a knee injury.

The last time Bojan started a Premier League match? He netted the winner - against Leicester.

Four changes in total for the hosts today as Glen Johnson, Marc Wilson and Jonathan Walters also come in alongside Bojan at the expense of Phil Bardsley, Marc Muniesa, Mame Biram Diouf and Joselu.

Just one tinker today for the Tinkerman - N'Golo Kante, who came off the bench last week against Aston Villa and helped the East Midlands side overturn a two-goal deficit to win 3-2, replaces Marc Albrighton in the starting XI.

So then, a summer full of impressive signings and optimism has quickly been put in the past by Mark Hughes, who must surely be concerned by the form of his side in the early stages of the Premier League campaign.

This new-look Stoke side are taking time to gel and the performances have been disappointing in their opening five games, but Hughes will be confident that the improvement is just around the corner as they continue their search for a first league win of the season.

Six games without a clean sheet will be a worry for Hughes, whose side are feeling the absence of Ryan Shawcross, but it is the pressure on the new signings which continues to grow after a frustrating run of matches.

Now onto Leicester... wow. What a start they have had. Their last game, at home against Aston Villa, is testament to their mental strength and skill.

After falling behind to goals from Jack Grealish and Carles Gil, Leicester fans would have been forgiven for thinking that their impressive form was set to come to an abrupt halt, but the Foxes fought back impressively to clinch all three points with a late winner from Nathan Dyer.

It was another example of the progress made by Claudio Ranieri, who has already silenced the majority of his critics after replacing Nigel Pearson in the summer.

Many tipped the Italian to struggle on his return to the Premier League, but Leicester's form has been the story of the season so far as they look to build on their escape from relegation.

Talking of the former Chelsea boss, here are some comments that he has made ahead of the game regarding his hopes for the afternoon and his team selection.

He said: "We must beware Stoke. They keep the ball extremely well. But our pace will be important to our performance. N'Golo Kante played very well last week. He can press well in midfield, but he can also do something in attack."

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In support of the Potters, they have had a tricky start to the season, which has included fixtures against Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal. And fans of the Britannia outfit will take heart from the recent history of this fixture...

Since March 2007, the Potters have lost just one match against Leicester in all competitions and recorded three wins in that stretch of seven games.

In addition Jack Butland has made a league-high 29 saves this season - and of course, Bojan is back. So could today be the day that Stoke get their campaign into gear?

INTERMISSION OF THE SOFA-RELATED KIND: Just over 20 minutes to go until kickoff, so why don't you sit down, have a cup of your favourite brew, and let the Sports Mole pundits talk you through the game?

Ranieri has always been known as a mild eccentric - who can remember when he was Chelsea manager and his mother was reported as saying: "Damien Duff is a nice boy, he has to start every game"? Well, true to his Italian roots, he told reporters the following ahead of today's game: "Coming back from behind might be exciting, but it is not good. I told them, if you keep a clean sheet, I'll buy pizza for everybody. I think they're waiting for me to offer a hot dog too."

Jamie Vardy, Jeff Schlupp and Marc Albrighton were named as the three fastest players in the division this week, leading Ranieri to compare them to fighter jets - he said: "My team is like the RAF, it's fantastic! WHOOSH! WHOOSH! I love it."

It really has been a fantastic few months for Leicester, given how superbly they finished last season and how well they've begun this time round. Just a couple of feel-good stats for you Foxes fans: Leicester and Manchester City are the only teams yet to suffer defeat in the Premier League this season, and they have scored 11 goals this season - the joint most in the top flight along with Man City and West Ham.

In addition, the Foxes haven't lost in nine Premier League games - winning six and drawing three - their longest unbeaten run in the top flight since a 10-match streak between April and September 1976.

And Riyad Mahrez - what a revelation he has proved this season, eh? He has scored four goals and provided two assists in five league games this season. No wonder Arsenal are said to be sniffing around.

Of course, I need to remind people that it's still very early in the season, and things don't really start taking shape until around November time, so don't feel too downbeat, Stoke fans - today could be the day you get your season back on track. As I said before, the return of Bojan, not to mention the team gelling with each passing game, and you could be onto something.

PREDICTION: Less than ten minutes to go, so I'll throw my prediction into the hat. I predict a 1-1 draw, with Bojan marking his return in triumphant style with the opening goal, but the sheer class of Mahrez leading him to net an equaliser sometime around the 75th minute.

The Britannia Stadium is pretty much full now as kickoff approaches and the crowd is bathed in sunlight - the teams are now in the tunnel and will be walking out in the next few moments.

The players come out to rapturous applause! Not long to go now until this game is officially underway!

Game time! Let's go! #StoLei #lcfc pic.twitter.com/cP8YG6Rgtk — Leicester City (@LCFC) September 19, 2015

KICKOFF: This game is now underway as Stoke kick off, playing left to right.

The visitors are first to threaten as Shaqiri gives the ball away and Vardy races clear, but despite Okazaki coming into the picture, Cameron manages to clear under pressure.

Stoke are seeing most of the ball but Leicester are pressing high, leaving Hughes's boys struggling to get out of their own half.

Drinkwater plays Vardy through on goal with a defence-splitting pass, but a poor first touch from the England man allows the Stoke back line to step in and clear.

More attacking forays from the Foxes as Schlupp charges down the left wing but his subsequent cross is too close to Butland, who plucks it out of the air.

Stoke fashion a decent opening as Bojan looks to play Arnautovic through on goal, but the Spaniard's pass is underhit and Leicester clear easily.

CHANCE! The first shot of the game falls to the visitors as Schlupp squares to Mahrez on the edge of the box, but the Algerian's strike is tame, allowing Butland to smother with ease.

CHANCE! Now it's Stoke who threaten as Van Ginkel's scuffed shot finds its way to Shaqiri, but the Swiss midfielder completely misses the ball with the goal gaping!

And despite being under the cosh against a determined and skilful Leicester side, it is the hosts who take the lead - and who else but the returning prodigal son, Bojan Krkic?!

Arnautovic cuts in from the left wing and splits the Leicester defence with a deft reverse pass, where the Spaniard is in space to coolly slot past Schmeichel - and the Britannia faithful are buzzing!

Now Leicester respond as Okazaki and Mahrez link up down the right, but the latter's cross is easily gathered by Butland.

But back come Stoke as Johnson cuts in from the right and decides to shoot left-footed from 25 yards out - the effort is scuffed wide however. The Potters on top, and no pizza for Leicester tonight!

And it's two to the good for the Potters with just 20 minutes played! Leicester are crumbling here and their great start to the season is in danger of evaporating into thin air!

Disaster for the Leicester back line as Butland blasts the ball into the opposition final third, where Morgan makes a complete hash of passing back to Schmeichel - allowing Walters to claim possession and slot beneath the Leicester keeper!

It's all Stoke now - Leicester are visibly rattled. Johnson and Shaqiri combine once again down the flank, and Morgan, eager to make amends, heads the cross clear but his Swiss opponent shows plenty of endeavour to win the ball back for the Potters.

Bojan, Shaqiri and Arnautovic are proving a lethal trio - the second member of the aforementioned now cuts in from the right and cross left-footed, but it evades everyone and is gathered by Schmeichel.

Stoke have settled in nicely and are enjoying their football, while Leicester are in such disarray at the back that Schmeichel has gone round to each defender for some words of reassurance. Moments before this, Walters threatened with another dangerous cross that Morgan fumbled out for a corner.

CHANCE! Stoke come within a whisker of making it three as Cameron crosses low from the right and somehow evades everyone - the slightest touch from one of his attacking teammates and it would have been in the back of the net.

We've just crossed the half-hour mark and Leicester are now pushing forward, stringing a few passes together and restore some calm to their play as Drinkwater forces a corner following Mahrez's layoff.

CHANCE! Arguably Leicester's best of the game as Kante lets rip from 25 yards but Butland gets down well to fumble the ball out for a corner.

Now the French midfielder slips a ball through to Okazaki who has the guarded goal as his mercy, but the Japanese striker is flagged offside. The pendulum appears to have swung back the way of the Foxes.

Did I speak too soon? Bojan, who let's not forget is playing his first league game since January following a long-term injury, is proving a maestro in the middle as first he attempts to play Walters through on goal, before causing havoc with a cross from the right. In both instances Huth gets the ball away.

End to end here as Stoke give the ball away and Drinkwater feeds the charging De Laet down the right flank, but the full-back's subsequent shot is horribly off target.

The pace of the game has dropped considerably, but Stoke are now back in control as Shaqiri swings a poor deep cross in for Schmeichel to gather.

Bojan really is enjoying a great rebirth in the Stoke starting XI as he continues to impress in midfield - he dispossesses Inler and shoots from just inside the Leicester half, but his effort is high and wide. Audacious, but considering how long he's been out of contention, every little helps.

CHANCES! A late flurry of action at both ends here just before half time, with Okazaki heading over from De Laet, an action preceding a Shaqiri cross which Morgan - looking more composed after his earlier error - clears away.

The action appears to be petering out here at the Britannia as Inler lofts the ball forward towards Vardy, but Cameron reads the move well and heads back into the hands of Butland.

The referee calls time on the first half, and contrary to many people's predictions, Stoke are cruising here against a rattled Leicester side.

Bojan Krkic opened the scoring 13 minutes in, converting Marko Arnautovic's eye-of-a-needle throughball, and just seven minutes later, Jonathan Walters made the most of a dreadful Wes Morgan backpass to nick the ball and slot past Kasper Schmeichel.

Leicester actually looked more comfortable early on but once the Potters made the breakthrough, it was effectively one-way traffic. A lot to do for the Foxes if they are to protect their unbeaten record.

Can lightning strike twice? Let's not forget last time that Leicester came back from two goals down to win in the Premier League - wasn't that long ago...

Really, the only area in which the Potters have got the upper edge is possession, 55% to Leicester's 45%. Both have had six shots, both have had two on target, and Stoke's corner tally stands at three to Leicester's two.

Will the Britannia home crowd be celebrating like this in 45 minutes' time, or will lightning strike twice for the Foxes? Stay tuned to Sports Mole as we unveil the action minute by minute!

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The players make their way back out for the second half.

KICK OFF: The visitors, who have made one change at half time, get the action back underway. Mark Albrighton has replaced Gokhan Inler.

Stoke are dominating proceedings on the pitch so far following the restart as Shaqiri aims to turn Schlupp inside out on the right wing. However, the Swiss international can't stop the ball from going out of play. Leicester have so far barely touched the ball.

PENALTY! And it goes the way of Leicester! Arnautovic bundles over Drinkwater and the referee points to the spot!

Mahrez to take...

Well, well, well! Just five minutes into the second half and Leicester have halved the deficit! The Austrian's challenge was fairly clumsy and unnecessary to say the least as Drinkwater was going nowhere, but it certainly appeared a legit penalty, which Mahrez neatly slots right of goal past Butland. Game on!

CHANCE! The momentum is well and truly with the Foxes now as they win a corner, which is taken, half-cleared to Vardy, and the England man half-volleys over the bar.

CHANCE! But here come Stoke, once again! Wilson delivers a lovely cross for Walters to nod down into the six-yard box, and Shaqiri is in pole position to rifle home, but Huth and Morgan manage to clear the danger.

PENALTY SHOUT! De Laet goes down on the edge of the box under a challenge from Pieters, but this time the referee waves play on.

BOOKING: Moments later, Mahrez is shown a yellow card after a foul on Pieters inside the Stoke box.

BOOKING: A second booking in quick succession for the visitors, with Kante cautioned for a late challenge on Bojan. Plenty of energy and urgency from Leicester, but they must be careful not to get too passionate here.

Just under half an hour - plus stoppage time - here at the Britannia, and it really looks like anything can happen. Van Ginkel collects the ball on the left and shoots left-footed from 20 yards, but Schmeichel smothers with ease, and just moments later, Vardy weaves past Wilson and forces a diving leg save from Butland at the other end of the pitch.

And back down at the other end, Shaqiri picks up the ball on the right, drifts into a central position and curls wide from distance. The Swiss man is still searching for his first Potters goal.

SUBSTITUTION: Another swap for the visitors as Okazaki is replaced by Leonardo Ulloa.

The pendulum is swinging fast and hard here as both sides continue to probe forward - it's almost like a basketball game. First Leicester attempt a route one lump towards Ulloa, which is cleared by Wilson, before Stoke counter with a cross that's just a little too heavy for Walters.

AND LEICESTER ARE BACK ON LEVEL TERMS! This is incredible - the Foxes just do not know how to give up, do they?! For the second week in a row they have gone in at the break having to chase a two-goal deficit, and for the second week in a row they have wiped it clean!

A long ball by Huth is flicked on by Mahrez, who plays Vardy onside, and the pacy striker is able to scuff the ball past Butland to send the travelling contingent absolutely berserk!

BOOKING: Bojan is booked for dissent as he protests the goal, with manager Hughes also livid - Stoke wanted a free-kick for a challenge on Walters moments before the Foxes struck.

SUBSTITUTION: Little of note has happened in the last few minutes as veteran striker Peter Crouch replaces Arnautovic for Stoke. Will he be the man to help the hosts undo the Leicester defence for a third time?

Leicester continue to push forward, with Schlupp sneaking in behind Johnson down the left wing, but his subsequent cross is too high and evades everyone.

CHANCE! Shaqiri's free kick drifts towards Cameron, who powers a header towards the back post, but it bobbles just wide of goal. This is high-tempo, exhilarating stuff.

BOOKING: Yet another caution for Leicester as Drinkwater is booked for a barge against the breaking Walters.

SUBSTITUTION: Stephen Ireland has replaced Marco van Ginkel for Stoke.

BOOKING: Shaqiri marauds towards goal before Schlupp cynically brings him down to the sound of thousands of heckles. Another yellow for Leicester, as the home crowd grows increasingly restless - they thought the hack warranted more severe punishment.

Shaqiri's resulting free kick on the edge of the box is palmed away by Schmeichel - less than 10 minutes to go and Stoke are on top now.

SUBSTITUTION: Bojan's first game back from long-term injury now comes to an end as he is now replaced by Peter Odemwingie - the Potters looking to make the most of their momentum to try and nick the win.

Leicester now get the ball back and attack down the left through Schlupp, but the midfielder blazes his effort over the bar.

SUBSTITUTION: Leicester make a late change as Andy King replaces Kante, who has gone down with cramp.

Odemwingie receives the ball in acres of space on the right, but he fires his cross straight at Schlupp, who gets the ball away. Now long now for either side to try and claim a winner.

Five minutes of stoppage time indicated here at the Britannia.

Stoke throw all their men forward in a bid to snatch all three points, but Shaqiri overhits his ball to Odemwingie, and it's out of play. Meanwhile Johnson goes down on the right flank complaining of cramp.

Both sides continue to throw all they've got, but it's quite clear that the players are tired - and given how high the tempo has been, it's hardly surprising. From distance, Vardy fires narrowly wide with a ferocious right-footer, but surely that's got to be it.

Indeed, the referee blows the whistle at the end of this exhilarating clash at the Britannia, which finishes all square between Stoke and Leicester.

The Potters were cruising to victory after just 20 minutes, as Bojan Krkic and Jonathan Walters edged the hosts in front, but the Foxes, for the second time in a row, wiped the deficit clean thanks to a Riyad Mahrez penalty and Jamie Vardy's swift strike following a great assist from the Algerian.

It could have been even better for the visitors had Vardy's late, late effort found the back of the Stoke net, but Ranieri will no doubt be the happier of the two managers. The Potters remain without a win so far this season while Leicester continue their remarkable start to the campaign.

Sadly that's all we've got time for here at the Britannia but Sports Mole will be on hand to bring you the latest reaction from all the Premier League games this afternoon, and don't forget to view the match report for this very game, fresh out of the oven. And if the oval ball is your thing, there's the small matter of the Rugby World Cup going on right now - plenty to keep you busy in the next few hours! Thanks for following and enjoy the rest of your weekend!

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