West Brom v Stoke City - preview

TEAM NEWS

Forward Saido Berahino is set to start after beginning on the bench in West Brom's last three games.

Jonas Olsson and Victor Anichebe are both struggling with hamstring problems while Salomon Rondon and James McClean are banned.

Stoke's in-form forward Marko Arnautovic has had a tight hamstring but is expected to be fit.

Marc Muniesa and Stephen Ireland are back in training following injuries but are unlikely to feature.

MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES

John Roder: "The first meeting of these sides this season was one I remember well, with Stoke down to nine players after half an hour after the dismissals of Ibrahim Afellay and Charlie Adam.

"Both teams come into the new year and the return fixture on the back of victories in their final games of 2015, and roughly in positions that you might expect for them in the Premier League table.

"Stoke look strong in all departments, while West Brom are getting there as Tony Pulis celebrates the first anniversary of his arrival at the Hawthorns looking for the double over his old club."

Twitter: @johnrodercomm 

WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY

West Brom head coach Tony Pulis: "I look forward to hosting my former club. I have great memories from there.

"Stoke have put together a strong squad. We know what a tough game it will be. They have a great chance of finishing in the top 10."

Stoke manager Mark Hughes on whether his side can qualify for the Champions League: "All teams such as ourselves are going into games thinking we will back our ability against anybody and see how far it takes us.

"Up to this point we have been really encouraged by what we have produced and we just have to keep it going.

"We know we can beat anyone in this league, although there are a lot of teams who will say exactly the same.

"So it is about having that consistency, and if we can get that, who knows where we can go?"

LAWRO'S PREDICTION

Stoke are a good, entertaining side - but they are up against a former manager in Tony Pulis who is coming into the game on the back of a gritty win over Newcastle.

The Baggies will be missing striker Salomon Rondon and winger James McClean who are suspended after their red cards against Bournemouth on 20 December, but I fancy them to overturn Stoke.

Lawro's full predictions v Match of the Day commentator Steve Wilson

• Think you can do better than Lawro? Predict the score for this match and the rest of this round's Premier League fixtures in ourPredictor game.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• West Brom are looking for a third consecutive win over Stoke.
• The Baggies' first win of this season came at Stoke at the end of August when they won 1-0 against the Potters, who had two players sent off.
• Tony Pulis has been on the losing side once in this fixture. His record as Stoke City boss is W5, D2, L1 and as West Brom manager it is W2, D0, L0.
• There have been just eight goals in the last seven Premier League games between Stoke and West Brom.

West Brom

• West Brom kept 17 top-flight clean sheets in 2015 - more than any other side.
• But they have conceded 16 Premier League home goals this season - Everton are the only team with a worse record.
• The Baggies have scored in all of their last seven home league games.
• West Brom have scored a league-high nine headed goals in the Premier League in 2015-16.

Stoke City

• Stoke have won both their matches over the festive period.
• Marko Arnautovic has scored seven league goals this season - two more goals than he managed in his previous two seasons at the club combined.
• Arnautovic has had a hand in five goals in his last five league appearances for Stoke (four goals, one assist).
• Stoke are the only side yet to score a Premier League goal from a corner (as defined by Opta) this season.