Stoke have endured a surprisingly poor start to the season after many predicted bright things from Mark Hughes’s side following some eye-catching summer transfers. Before the start of the campaign a home game against Bournemouth would have been seen as an ideal opportunity to get back on course but the newly promoted side have proven anything but a pushover so far despite the loss of two of their biggest signings, Max Gradel and Tyrone Mings, to long-term injuries. Rich Flower
Kick-off Saturday 3pm
Venue Britannia Stadium
Last season n/a
Referee Lee Mason
This season G2, Y8, R0, 4.00 cards per game
Odds H 8-5 A 9-5 D 9-4
Stoke
City
Subs from Given, Haugaard, Muniesa, Wollscheid, Bardsley, Ireland, Sidwell, Odemwingie, Diouf, Crouch, Joselu, Afellay, Adam, Teixeira
Doubtful Diouf (hamstring), Wilson (calf)
Injured Shawcross (back, unknown)
Suspended None
Form LDDLLD
Discipline Y8 R2
Leading scorer Diouf 2
Bournemouth
Subs from Allsop, Federici, Rantie, Smith, MacDonald, King, Kermorgant, Stanislas, Atsu, Tomlin, O’Kane, Bennett
Doubtful None
Injured Arter (groin, 10 Oct), Elphick (achilles, 10 Oct), Gradel (knee, Feb), Mings (knee, May)
Suspended None
Form LLWDLW
Discipline Y13 R0
Leading scorer Wilson 5
