West Ham vs Stoke City: can Xherdan Shaqiri inspire the Potters to another triumph?

A look ahead to this weekend's fixture at Upton Park

Stoke City playmaker Xherdan Shaqiri hangs from the crossbar (Getty Images)

It’s a big game for…

Andy Carroll: With Manuel Lanzini, Dimitri Payet and Diafra Sakho all sidelined with long term injuries, Andy Carroll will have to spearhead the West Ham attack for a number of weeks. Slaven Billic will rely on Carroll to get the goals to sustain the hammers impressive start to the season.

Best stat…

3: Stoke are unbeaten in their last three visits to Upton Park. Their last defeat came in 2011 when goals from Demba Ba, Manuel da Costa and Thomas Hitzlsperger gave West Ham a 3-0 victory that moved them out of the bottom three.

Player to watch…

Xherdan Shaqiri: The Swiss was seen as a transfer coup when he arrived at the Britannia this summer and his qualities were there for to see in his game. Shaquiri tore the Manchester city defence apart as he provided the assists for both of Marko Arnautovic’s goals. He has the ability to make the difference in this game.

Past three meetings…

West Ham 1 (Cresswell) Stoke 1 (Arnautovic) Premier League, April 2015

Stoke 2 (Moses, Diouf) West Ham 2 (Valencia, Downing) Premier League, November 2014

Stoke 3 (Odemwingie 2, Arnautovic) West Ham 1 (Carroll) Premier League, March 2014

Form guide…

West Ham

WLDLDD

Stoke

DWWLWW

Vital information…

Kick off time: 15:00, Saturday 12th December.

TV: Highlights shown at 22:20, Saturday 12th December, BBC 1