The Transfer Tavern is awash with Stoke City fans this week demanding a comfortable win against Premier League strugglers Crystal Palace.

The Potters are now an established Premier League team and the fans dream of pushing for European football. However, Mark Hughes will always demand safety before dreaming of anything grander given the volatile nature of the league.

Stoke City are currently 11^th in the table on 29 points and with fixtures coming up against Tottenham, Man City and Chelsea fans will see this weekend’s game at Crystal Palace as a vital step towards securing another season in the top flight.

Crystal Palace will arrive at the Bet365 Stadium this weekend on the back of a 4-0 home loss to bottom club Sunderland. Sam Allardyce will be desperate to beat Stoke City and our landlord expects an explosive fixture.

So, who will start for Stoke City this weekend? This is how the main man behind the bar thinks they’ll shape up…

GK: Lee Grant

With Jack Butland out with a long term injury and Shay Given failing to impress, Lee Grant has established himself as the current number 1 and continues to do well. The big English shot stopper will need to be at his best against dead ball specialist Yohan Cabaye.

RB: Phil Bardsley

The injury plagued Glen Johnson is still out and the ever reliable Phil Bardsley will deputise at right back. The experienced former Man United player will be handed the job of shackling winger Andros Townsend.

CB: Ryan Shawcross

The English centre back is ‘Mr Stoke City’, a real fans favourite with exceptional heading ability. Ryan Shawcross will be expected to nullify the aerial threat of Christian Benteke; this will be a mighty test indeed.

CB: Bruno Martins Indi

The Dutch ball playing defender may not have the aerial ability to match the Crystal Palace forward line but he has great ability on the ball and will be expected to start the offensive plays from defence with his impressive passing range.

LB: Erik Pieters

Another Dutch import, Pieters is a classy left back offering great aerial ability and fantastic crosses too. The Netherlands left back does commit too many fouls but will have his work cut out against an in form Wilfred Zaha.

CDM: Charlie Adam

It has been a relatively quiet season for the Scotsman, notching up just 13 appearances for Stoke and scoring just once.  Against a struggling Crystal Palace midfield the landlord expects Charlie Adam to shine and spray the ball around the park – his battle with Joe Ledley will be key.

CDM: Glenn Whelan

The experienced Irishman will line up alongside Charlie Adam and help to shield the defence and break down attacks in the middle of the park. Glenn Whelan will need to keep a close eye on James McArthur.

RAM: Ibrahim Affelay

With Xherdan Shaqiri likely to start on the bench the experienced Dutchman will once again play on the right side of midfield. Ibrahim Affelay will pit his ability against fellow countryman Patrick Van Aanholt at left back.

LAM: Marko Arnautovic

The big Austrian has been an ever present for Stoke City and remains a key player for Mark Hughes. He will be up against English full back Joel Ward and our landlord expects Arnautovic to give him a torrid time and add to his goals tally this season.

CAM: Joe Allen

The Welsh midfielder is in great form.  Joe Allen is now playing in a more attacking position and has added goals to his game. Our landlord expects the midfielder to give the Crystal Palace defence a tough time this weekend as he looks to exploit their frailties at the back.

ST: Peter Crouch

The big man will be relishing the chance of getting at a shaky Palace defence with him well in form at the moment. He looks at the peak of his powers despite his age and with the right service he’ll win the game for Stoke.

Potters fans – what do you think? Let us know below!