Crystal Palace midfielder Yohan Cabaye (2nd L) celebrates scoring his team's lone goal against Southampton. (Photo : Getty Images)
Middling squad Stoke City FC (6-5-5, 23 points) and top six team Crystal Palace FC (8-6-2, 26 points) are set to clash for a 2015-2016 Premier League battle at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday, December 19.
Stoke City forced reeling contender West Ham United to a goalless draw at the latter's Upton Park last Saturday to keep itself unbeaten in its last two games, as per Goal.
The Potters have only lost once in their last six outings to help them move up in the 11th spot of the league table after struggling at the lower quarter of the standings for the first few weeks of the season.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace extended its unbeaten run to three games with a 1-0 nipping of Southampton at the Selhurst Park last Saturday to settle at the sixth spot in the league table, as reported by SkySports.
Veteran midfielder Yohan Cabaye scored the winner at the 38th minute to give Alan Pardew's team their third win in their last six outings and within striking distance of the current league leaders.
It was Eagles goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey's first clean sheet since their scoreless draw with Manchester United back in late October and it came at just the right time for Palace.
The predicted result is a 3-1 romp for Crystal Palace. Pardew's boys keep their momentum going with an emphatic victory over the Potters to stop the latter's ascent in the standings.
Stoke City starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Butland; Johnson, Shawcross, Wollscheid, Pieters; Cameron, Whelan; Afellay, van Ginkel, Arnautovic; Bojan
Crystal Palace starting lineup (4-4-2 formation): Hennessey; Ward, Dann, Delaney, Souaré; Zaha, Cabaye, McArthur, Puncheon; Bolasie, Wickham
