West Brom vs Stoke preview: Tony Pulis lacking options for visit of in-form Potters

A look ahead to the Premier League fixture at The Hawthorns

Tony Pulis applauds the Stoke fans during Saturday's victory over West Brom (Getty Images)

It’s a big game for…

West Brom’s forwards: West Brom are going to have to be clinical in this game if they are to best Stoke’s normally stingy defence, but Saido Berahino is currently out-of-favour with manager Tony Pulis, Monday’s starting striker Victor Anichebe exited the game injured before full time and Salomon Rondon is serving the final game of his three-match ban.

Best stat…

19: Stoke have conceded a mere 19 goals this season, a figure which only four teams can claim to have beaten.

Remember when…

West Brom paid Stoke a visit in August 2015 and escaped with a 1-0 victory, partly due to the fact that Stoke were reduced to nine men after half an hour, with Ibrahim Afellay and Charlie Adam seeing red

Player to watch…

Xherdan Shaqiri: The former Inter Milan and Bayern Munich forward was a big summer signing, and is beginning to show his abilities, as he scored twice on Monday, his first goals for Stoke, as his side nudged past Everton 4-3. If he continues in his current form then he will be the difference maker in this game.

Past three meetings…

Stoke 0 West Brom 1 (Rondon), Premier League, August 2015

West Brom 1 (Ideye), Stoke 0, Premier League, March 2015

Stoke 2 (Biram Diouf 2) West Brom 0, Premier League, December 2014

Form guide…

West Brom: DDDLLW

Stoke: WWDLWW

Vital Information…

Kick-Off Time: 15:00

TV: Highlights on BBC1, 10:30p