Gary Rowett faces his former club as Stoke City host Derby County in the Championship this evening.
The Potters have only won five of their 18 games under the new manager but could move into the top half with points against the East Midlands club. Stoke have lost just one of their last nine league games, but drawn the last three.
Derby start the evening in sixth and could end this evening as high as fourth and two points off the automatic promotion places.
The two teams confirmed for this evening’s game at the Bet365 Stadium are as follows:
Stoke City
Jack Butland; Cuco Martina, Ashley Williams, Ryan Shawcross, Erik Pieters; Ryan Woods, Joe Allen; Tom Ince, Peter Etebo, Sam Clucas; Saido Berahino
Substitutes: Adam Federici, Bruno Martins Indi, Tom Edwards, Darren Fletcher, James McClean, Benik Afobe, Peter Crouch
The hosts line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation that includes summer signing Sam Clucas making only his second start, whilst Tom Ince lines up against his old club but only has three goals in 15 appearances this season. Striker Saido Berahino only has two in as many appearances. Top scorer Benik Afobe is only among the substitutes.
Gary Rowett has gone with two attacking full-backs this evening, potentially looking to get lots of crosses into the Derby box with the visitors struggling in this area in particular this season.
Derby County
Scott Carson; Jayden Bogle, Richard Keogh, Curtis Davies, Scott Malone; Bradley Johnson, Craig Bryson, Mason Mount; Harry Wilson, Jack Marriott, Tom Lawrence
Substitutes: Kelle Roos, Fikayo Tomori, Max Bird, Tom Huddlestone, Florian Jozefzoon, Martyn Waghorn, David Nugent
Frank Lampard lines up with a 4-3-3 formation and makes five changes from the weekend’s victory at Sheffield Wednesday. Curtis Davies replaces Fikayo Tomori for only his second start of the season, reuniting with Richard Keogh whom he partnered for the majority of last season, under this evening’s opposition manager.
Bradley Johnson and Craig Bryson play in front of the back four looking to supply the exciting attack quartet of Mason Mount, Harry Wilson, Tom Lawrence and top scorer Jack Marriott.
