Stoke Can Secure Top Spot With Win Over Dynamo Kiev
It is entirely possible that Stoke's recent dip in form has been down to their exertions in the Europa League but Tony Pulis certainly wants to remain in the competition that his side have been doing so well in this season. Stoke sit top of their group, four points above Besiktas and five points above Thursday's opponents Dynamo Kiev which means a win in this match would guarantee top spot with a game still to play. Tony Pulis has been calling on fans to make this game a sell out and to create a 'cup final' atmosphere in order to help his side see off the Ukranians.
Tony Pulis has just the one major injury concern ahead of this match with Andy Wilkinson reported to be extremely doubtful for this match. Presuming Wilkinson fails to recover from the calf and knee injuries that saw him almost miss the Blackburn game on Satuday it will Ryan Shotton who will return to the starting line up having impressed recently. Thomas Sorensen will step aside for Asmir Begovic to take over the goalkeeper's jersey whlst Pulis has also confirmed that Matthew Upson will return to the first eleven for this match.
Stoke have been very strong in the Europa League so far and have won both their home games fairly comfortably. The only game that Stoke have dropped any points in was the away trip to Kiev and a point in Ukraine always represents a decent return, especially as Kiev needed a last minute equaliser to salvage anything from this game. Stoke are likely to enjoy the same sort of advantage at the Britannia Stadium as Kiev do in their native land and Stoke should certainly be capable of bettering their away result back on home soil which means Stoke are a solid bet to win this match