This Saturday preview sees two 3pm kick offs. Stoke host West Brom at the Bet365 with the Potters desperately needing a win to kick off their new season. Another home side in Sunderland are also looking to get off the mark and they face in form Crystal Palace at the Stadium of Light.
Stoke vs West Brom – Saturday 24th September 2016 – 15:00
Stoke welcome West Brom to the Bet365 Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with Stoke desperately looking for their opening win.
Stoke come into this match on the back of a 4-1 loss against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Goals from James Tomkins (9), Scott Dann (11), James McArthur (71) and Andros Townsend (75) took Palace 4-0 up.
Stoke did grab a consolation goal with the last kick of the game, courtesy of a stunning finish from Marko Arnautovic.
Along with the 4-0 drubbing at home against Tottenham, it is the third heavy defeat this season.
Stoke have yet to win a game, with an opening day draw against Middlesbrough and another 4-1 drubbing at home, with Pep Guardiola's Manchester City dispatching them with ease.
Rock Bottom
Stoke have a goal difference of -11, the worst in the division by a mammoth five goals.
They have conceded an incredible fourteen goals, which is an average of 2.8 a game, with 3 goals scored it is no wonder they find themselves in deep trouble.
They find themselves bottom of the Premier League, with just one point from five games and a run of four successive defeats.
Cup Defeat Another Blow
Stoke also suffered another defeat in the EFL Cup, in a defeat that will be particularly hard for Hughes to digest.
They were by far the better side throughout the game but they still conceded two goals and scored just one.
The Potters took the lead through Marko Arnautovic in the 24th minute, but goals from Ryan Mason and a late goal from Markus Henriksen secured the tie for the Tigers.
Jonathan Walters, Bojan and Xheridan Shaquiri have yet to fire this season and there is plenty of scope for them to improve, starting with this game.
Marko Arnautovic has been the form player of late, scoring in each of his last two appearances.
Their record against West Brom is very good, in 88 matches they have won 41, drawn 22 and lost 25.
Stoke are 8/13 with Wilfried Bony at 11/2 to score first.
West Brom will be looking to put another boot into Stoke, with former Stoke manager Tony Pulis returning to his old club.
His side returned to form in emphatic fashion, dispatching West Ham by 4-2 at the Hawthorns, an excellent result for Pulis.
Goals from new signing Nacer Chadli (8 and 56), Salomon Rondon (37) and James McClean (44) saw West Brom go 4-0 up.
In-form man Michail Antonio scored in the 61st minute to restore some pride, with Manuel Lanzini scoring in the 65th minute to add some respectability to proceedings for the Hammers.
It was a match that saw West Ham totally dominate in every statistic apart from the one that matters.
They had 70.4% possession of the ball away from home, but had just 5 shots on target from 23 shots overall.
Mixed Start To Season
It was an excellent defensive display and another clinical performance up front, with four goals scored from just six shots on target.
The Baggies lost previous fixture 1-0 against Bournemouth, with Tony Pulis' side conceding against the run of play.
So Tony Pulis will feel that luck has come for his side in the game against the Hammers.
Tough Fixture For The Baggies
West Brom find themselves in 10th position in the Premier League after five matches.
They are on seven points, with two wins, two draws and a defeat, Tony Pulis will be looking for more consistency from his side.
During those five matches they have scored six times and conceded just five, with a reasonable amount of efficiency at both ends of the pitch.
West Brom will be looking to continue their recent record against Stoke, they have won their last three straight matches against the Potters and will be looking for victory number four.
West Brom are 17/4 with Salomon Rondon at 11/2 to score first
Sunderland vs Crystal Palace – Saturday 24th September 2016 – 15:00
Sunderland welcome Crystal Palace to the Stadium of Light on Saturday afternoon, with Sunderland desperately looking for their opening win.
Sunderland come into this match on the back of a narrow 1-0 defeat against Tottenham at the weekend.
A Harry Kane goal in the 59th minute was enough to settle the tie, consigning Sunderland to their fourth defeat of the season.
David Moyes' side put in an excellent performance but that wasn't enough to register even a point for their endeavours.
The Black Cats have put in their best performances of the season against top opposition, with the performances against Manchester City and Tottenham far above the rest.
For 60 minutes they had frustrated another of the season's form sides, before succumbing to a 3-0 drubbing against Everton at the Stadium of Light.
Another Tough Season So Far
Sunderland have had a tough start to the season, with two narrow 2-1 defeats against Middlesbrough and Manchester City.
This is on top of two defeats against Tottenham and Everton, they have collected just one point from five matches.
They have started this season like they have the previous three, with minimal points from their opening five matches.
Big Test For Sunderland
The match against Crystal Palace will be a challenge for Sunderland, with Palace just finding form at the right time.
It will be a far easier match on paper than the likes of Tottenham, Everton and Manchester City, but no game in the Premier League is easy.
They have the third-worst defence in the league and the joint worst goals scored, Moyes will have plenty of work to do.
Their overall record against Palace is good, in 25 meetings they have won 11, lost 9 and drawn 5.
Sunderland are 9/5 with Jermain Defoe at 5/1 to score first.
Crystal Palace come into this match on the back of a 4-1 win against Stoke at Selhurst Park.
Goals from James Tomkins (9), Scott Dann (11), James McArthur (71) and Andros Townsend (75) took Palace 4-0 up.
Stoke did grab a consolation goal with the last kick of the game, courtesy of a stunning finish from Marko Arnautovic.
Alan Pardew's men came into that match on the back of an excellent 2-1 win against Middlesbrough.
After enduring a tough start to the season Pardew will be delighted with his side's last two performances, with Palace finally clicking into gear.
Things Looking Up For Pardew
The signing of Christian Benteke for a club record fee of £32 million is a huge show of faith, he will be key for Palace this season.
One of the most pleasing aspects for Pardew will be that the team has collectively improved.
Goals are coming from all over the pitch, with Scott Dann and James Tomkins unlikely scorers, new signings Benteke and Townsend have scored in the last two wins.
Palace have scored six goals in their last two matches, conceding just two goals and this has seen them banish their poor early season form in emphatic fashion.
Sunderland Tough Opposition
Alan Pardew's side come into this game in 8th position in the Premier League, having secured seven points in their first five matches.
Having endured a poor start with two defeats and a draw, Pardew will be delighted with his side's emphatic responses in their last two games.
Sunderland will be tough opposition, with the Black Cats having a tough start to the season, they will be desperate to secure a first win and home win this season.
Crystal Palace are 6/4 with Christian Benteke at 9/2 to score first.
Betting Tips
Tip 1: Rondon to score first @ 11/2 and Stoke to win 2-1 @ 8/1
Tip 2: Benteke to score first @ 9/2 and Sunderland to win 2-1 @ 9/1