Although unhelpful, fresh doubts over the long-term future of the West Ham manager, Sam Allardyce, should not derail West Ham’s hopes of securing a top-half finish. The hosts have lost four of their past five matches and go into the game level on points with Stoke, who have lost their previous three. This hardly suggests a classic is in store but keep an eye on Peter Crouch, who is one headed goal away from Alan Shearer’s Premier League record of 46. Ben Fisher
Kick-off Saturday 3pm
Venue Upton Park
Last season West Ham United 0 Stoke City 1
Referee R East
This season G14, Y47, R2, 3.5 cards per game
Odds H 13-10 A 12-5 D 12-5
West Ham United
Subs from Jaaskelainen, Spiegel, Cole, Henry, Burke, Demel, Oxford, O’Brien, Poyet, Amalfitano, Jarvis, Nolan, Nenê
Doubtful None
Injured Carroll (knee, Aug), Tomkins (shoulder, Aug)
Suspended None
Form DLLLWL
Discipline Y55 R2
Leading scorer Sakho 10
Stoke City
Subs from Butland, Pieters, Bardsley, Muniesa, Palacios, Moses, Arnautovic, Sidwell, Teixeira, Crouch, Wilkinson
Doubtful Walters (knee), Wilson (hand)
Injured Odemwingie (knee, May), Krkic (knee, Sep)
Suspended None
Form WWWLLL
Discipline Y71 R0
Leading scorer Diouf 8
