Stoke City host Crystal Palace on Saturday in the Premier League's bottom half, but could rise as high as fifth depending on results elsewhere.
The seven teams below the top four are separated by just three points and Palace are one of the sides that the Potters could leapfrog this weekend.
Stoke
© Getty Images
Still in the bottom half after a goalless draw at West Ham United last weekend, but Stoke have only lost two of their last 11 league games and could shoot up the table in time for Christmas.
The two defeats suffered in that time were both surprise ones at home to Watford and away at Sunderland, so if Mark Hughes's side can iron out those anomalous results in 2016 then a push for a European place could be on the cards.
The Potters' consistency this term has largely been down to their staunch defence. They have kept seven clean sheets in their last nine Premier League matches and still not conceded when captain Ryan Shawcross has been on the pitch this season.
The other main reason for Stoke's plentiful shutouts has been the form of England's Jack Butland between the sticks.
The 22-year-old has made the joint-most saves (67 - alongside Costel Pantilimon) in the Premier League this season and has the best saves-to-shots ratio (82.7%).
Still, despite all their defensive stability, Stoke have the joint-worst attack in the league with bottom side Aston Villa having managed only 13 goals in 16 games this term.
Chance conversion has been one of the Potters' biggest problems - they have converted a league-low 10% of their shots in the Premier League this season.
Recent Premier League form: DWWLWD
Recent form (all competitions): WWLWWD
Palace
© Getty Images
Are Alan Pardew's Crystal Palace primed for a European finish this season? The Eagles currently sit in the top six, just three points behind the top four, and news tonight that a £50m deal has been reached with American investors could signal a splurge in the upcoming transfer window.
Palace could arguably be compared to what Southampton were doing last season, and the Saints are the team that became the latest to fall at the Eagles' sword last weekend, with Yohan Cabaye sweeping home the only goal of the game at Selhurst Park.
Cabaye has been one of the more impressive signings this term and he will fancy his chances of adding to his tally this weekend as he scored four goals in four Premier League games against Stoke while at Newcastle United.
Like Stoke, Palace have only tasted defeat once in their last six league games and, also like Stoke, Sunderland were the team to beat them.
Away from home is where Pardew's men are at their most menacing - the Eagles have won 10 of their last 15 away games in the Premier League (D1 L4).
In fact, since Pardew took charge of his first Palace game on January 10, the South London side have won 10 Premier League away games - only Arsenal have collected more (12) in this period.
Recent form: DWLWDW
Team News
© Getty Images
Xherdan Shaqiri, after starring in Stoke's 2-0 win over Manchester City a week earlier, had to sit out of the trip to West Ham last weekend with a hamstring strain, but the Swiss could return here.
Geoff Cameron (hamstring) is out, while Phil Bardsley (back) and Stephen Ireland (hamstring) are doubts for the hosts.
Palace, meanwhile, are likely to name an unchanged startine lineup.
Captain Mile Jedinak was absent from the win over Southampton and will have a late fitness test, while Dwight Gayle and Bakary Sako remain sidelined.
Stoke possible starting lineup:
Butland; Johnson, Shawcross, Wollscheid, Pieters; Cameron, Whelan; Van Ginkel, Afellay, Arnautovic; Bojan
Palace possible starting lineup:
Hennessey; Ward, Dann, Delaney, Souare; McArthur, Cabaye; Zaha, Puncheon, Bolasie; Wickham
Head To Head
All three goals were scored in the first half of the last meeting between these two at the Britannia, with Palace fighting back from a goal down to win in March.
In fact, the side scoring first has only gone on to win once in the four previous Premier League meetings between the pair.
Video Preview
Hit play below to see what the Sports Mole Sofa had to say about this encounter:
We say: Stoke 1-1 Palace
Both teams will be desperate for a win which would leave them sitting very pretty at Christmas and it is too hard to separate them on current form.
No Data Analysis info
