It may not yet be December, but it feels as if crunch time is already upon Crystal Palace. Roy Hodgson has overseen significantly improved performances over his side’s past five matches, yet the team have still won only once all term and are adrift at the foot playing catch-up from that wretched start. Stoke City, who have not won at Selhurst Park in a decade and are enduring their own inconsistencies, must surely be overcome if Palace’s confidence is to be bolstered before Tuesday’s derby at Brighton. This may be the time to fling Christian Benteke back into the fray from the start. Dominic Fifield
Kick-off Saturday 3pm
Venue Serlhurst Park
Last season Crystal Palace 4 Stoke City 1
Referee Mike Dean
This season G9, Y33, R1, 3.77 cards per game
Odds H 15-13 A 3-1 D 5-2
Crystal Palace
Subs from Hennessey, Henry, Lokilo, Fosu-Mensah, Kelly, Van Aanholt, Delaney, Souaré, Mutch, Tomkins, Ladapo, Puncheon, Sako, Riedewald, McArthur, Kaikai
Doubtful Benteke (match fitness), Loftus-Cheek (back), Van Aanholt (hamstring)
Injured Lee (hamstring, Dec), Wickham (knee, Jan)
Suspended None
Form LWLDLD
Discipline Y24 R0
Leading scorer Zaha 3
Stoke City
Subs from Grant, Haugaard, Afellay, Berahino, Tymon, Verlinden, Wimmer, Crouch, Rodríguez, Sobhi, Johnson
Doubtful None
Injured Cameron (concussion, 2 Dec), Butland (finger, 12 Dec), Ireland (leg, unkown)
Suspended None
Form WLLWDD
Discipline Y12 R0
Leading scorers Choupo-Moting 3, Crouch, Diouf 3
