The background
West Ham United will look to end their five-game wait for a victory when they play host to Stoke City at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday.
After claiming the scalp of Chelsea in October, three draws and two defeats have followed, although the Hammers were unfortunate not to beat Manchester United last time out.
Only the post stood in their way of a famous Old Trafford victory, and Slaven Bilic’s men will have taken great confidence from their trip to the north west.
Stoke City, meanwhile, have been in fine from recently, having won three of their last four fixtures.
Last weekend they defeated Manchester City 2-0, while Southampton and Chelsea have also come up short against the Potters in the last month.
Mark Hughes’ side are currently eleventh in the table, a point behind the Hammers in a congested top half.
The history
The Hammers have met Stoke on 92 occasions previously, winning 35 and losing 33 of those matches.
However, the Londoners have not defeated the Potters in either of the last two seasons, drawing both meetings last term and losing both the year before.
Last season West Ham were 2-0 down against Stoke at the Britannia Stadium, but goals from Enner Valencia and Stewart Downing drew them level.
The boot was on the other foot at the Boleyn Ground, when Aaron Cresswell’s free kick was cancelled out by an injury time goal from Marko Arnautovic.
The match
Team news
West Ham United
The Hammers will be without at least five players on Saturday, with Victor Moses, Winston Reid (both hamstring), Diafra Sakho, Manuel Lanzini (both thigh) and Dimitri Payet (ankle) all injured.
Enner Valencia has also been out for the last month, but has returned to training this week.
Stoke City
For Stoke, defender Marc Muniesa is expected to return after missing the last six games with a hamstring injury.
However, strikers Peter Crouch and Peter Odemwingie are out, as is goalkeeper Shay Given.
Match info
- Saturday’s referee is Andre Marriner, and he will be assisted by Scott Ledger and Eddie Smart. Keith Hill is the fourth official.
- West Ham have gone five league matches without a win (D3, L2).
- Stoke have lost just two of their last 10 league matches (W6, D2).
- They have kept six clean sheets in their eight most recent league games.
- However, they have only scored six goals in their last 10 matches away from home in the Premier League.
- The Potters are the joint-lowest scorers in the top flight, along with Aston Villa, having managed just 13 goals in 15 games.
Ticketing, travel, coverage and other info
- Tickets for this match have SOLD OUT.
- A showery day is expected on Saturday, with temperatures reaching a high of 12C (54F).
- There are no closures planned on the District and Hammersmith & City lines serving Upton Park station. Click here for full information on TfL services and here for National Rail.
- If you’re not heading to the match, make sure you follow all the action on our digital channels. Our live Match Centre has audio commentary, in-running stats, text updates the best pictures and more, while you can get involved in the conversation on social using the hashtag #WHUSTK