Stoke City travel to White Hart Lane as they face Tottenham Hotspur for the Premier League clash this weekend. Andre Villas Boas's side are currently fourth in the league table with 29 points while the Potters are ninth with 24 points after 17 games.

Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale is expected to return for the game against Stoke City this weekend. Reuters

Where to Watch

Kick-off is set for 3pm GMT. Catch the highlights on Match of the Day on BBC One and BBC One HD, at 10:25pm GMT.

Overview

Spurs did not enjoy a great start to the season as they went without a win in their first three games, losing their opening game 2-1 against Newcastle and drawing the next two games 1-1 against West Brom and Norwich at home. Villas Boas's side did bounce back as they won their next three games, including a famous 3-2 victory against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

The North London club won last weekend's game 1-0 against Swansea City, with Belgian international Jan Vertonghen scoring the only goal of the match. The victory against the Swans at home saw the North London club climb to fourth spot in the Premier League table. Spurs have lost just one of their last five games (2-1 at Everton) and Villas Boas will be looking to extend the run when his side face Stoke this Saturday. A victory would see Tottenham climb into third spot for at least 24 hours, until Chelsea play their next game against Aston Villa.

Stoke have drawn nine of the 17 games they have played this season, including goalless stalemates against Arsenal and Liverpool and a 1-1 draw against the English champions Manchester City. Despite sharing a point in most of their matches, Tony Pulis's side have just lost three games, which have all been away from home.

Stoke enter into this game as they are currently unbeaten in their last seven games, and Pulis will be looking to extend the run when his side travel to White Hart Lane on Saturday. A win for the visitors at White Hart Lane would see them closing the gap on Spurs with just two points.

Peter Crouch
Peter Crouch was with Tottenham Hotspur before moving to Stoke City. Reuters

Team Guide

Tottenham Hotspur

  • Last Five (all competitions, most recent first): W L W W W
  • Last Result: Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Swansea City

Stoke City

  • Last Five (all competitions, most recent first): D D W W W
  • Last Result: Stoke City 1-1 Everton

Team News

Jan Vertonghen
Jan Vertonghen scored the winner during Spurs winner against Swansea City last week. Reuters

Spurs are boasted with the return of their winger Gareth Bale and defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto for the game against Stoke this weekend. Michael Dawson and Scott Parker have been training with the first team, though Villas Boas might not risk them from the start. Meanwhile French international Younes Kaboul (knee) remains a long-term absentee for Spurs and will not be featuring.

Probable Line-Up: Lloris; Walker, Gallas, Vertonghen, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon, Sandro, Dembele, Bale; Defoe, Adebayor

Pulis has just three injury worries entering into this game, with midfielder Rory Delap, defender Marc Wilson and former United and Liverpool striker Michael Owen (hamstring) all ruled out. Apart from these absentees, Stoke have their full squad up for selection with former Tottenham striker Peter Crouch leading their attack.

Probable Line-Up: Begovic; Cameron, Huth, Shawcross, Wilkinson; Adam, Whelan, N'zonzi, Etherington; Walters, Crouch

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