Potters and Foxes preview

Stoke City go to Leicester tonight on the back of a 5-0 thrashing of Norwich last Saturday, hoping to put an end to Leicester’s seven match unbeaten run. Stoke are currently just one place above the Foxes with just goal difference separating them.

Vital Quotes:

Carl Hoefkens has revealed that he was angry at Danny Higginbotham’s refusal to let him take the penalty in Saturday’s win. He told the Sentinel: ‘Yes, there was confusion at the time. I was angry and really wanted to knock him out. I know my reaction was kind of childish in the end’, but now claims that it is all now sorted. ‘He taking them now until he misses. I will support him and not put any more pressure on him.’

Leicester City Team News:

Leicester’s Gareth McAuley is suspended for the match following his sending off at QPR on Saturday, Patrick McCarthy is expected to return to the team in his place.
James Wesolowski and Alan Maybury picked up knocks in the same game and look likely to miss the match.

Player to watch: Danny Tiatto

An Australian international, Tiatto was a loan signing for Stoke back in 1997 and made eleven appearances. He then joined Man City where he made almost 150 appearances before joining the Foxes in 2004.

Stoke City Team News:

Andy Griffin and Darel Russell both picked up knocks in Saturday’s match and Tony Pulis will decide before the game if they are fit to play. Other than that, it should the same team that performed so well against Norwich.

Player to watch: Salif Diao

Diao seems to settled quickly into the Stoke midfield after signing on loan from Liverpool where he had been significantly unimpressive. His cool and calm presence in midfield have been a delight to watch after we’ve suffered in that area in recent months.

Match Facts & Stats

The tie has always been a close match in recent years. Out of the five games played at the Walkers Stadium, there has been a win apiece and three draws.