Wednesday 13 January 2016 19:51, UK
Stoke boss Mark Hughes is set to recall several of his regular first-team players following the club's progression in the FA Cup.
Hughes rested Bojan Krkic, Xherdan Shaqiri, Marko Arnautovic and Ibrahim Afellay for the 2-1 victory at Doncaster on Saturday, but all four are set to return.
Wednesday's match against Norwich is the first of back-to-back games at the Britannia Stadium with table-toppers Arsenal to come on Sunday, and the Potters can consolidate their position in the top half of the Premier League table with victory over the Canaries.
Alex Neil's side crashed out of the FA Cup with defeat by Manchester City, but they have been on a good run in the league with three victories from their past four games.
They've lost just once in the league since early December, and could be further boosted by the return of Matt Jarvis. The winger, who made his loan move from West Ham permanent this month, has been absent with a knee injury.
Team news
Bojan, Shaqiri, Arnautovic and Afellay are poised to return for the home side, but Geoff Cameron (ankle), Marc Muniesa and Stephen Ireland (both hamstring) are not ready to make their comebacks from injury, while Shay Given (knee) also remains sidelined.
Norwich expect to have Jarvis available, and Neil reported no fresh injury problems following the FA Cup third-round defeat by City. Robbie Brady and Alex Tettey were rested for that match, so should come back into the starting XI along with goalkeeper Declan Rudd.
New signing Ivo Pinto will be given more time to settle following the full-back's transfer from Dinamo Zagreb.
Opta stats
Stoke have lost just one of their last nine home league games against Norwich (W6 D2 L1), but this came in their last meeting with them in September 2013.
The last eight games between these two sides in the league have produced just 11 goals, with no side scoring more than once in a game during this run.
Stoke have been given a joint league-high four red cards in their 20 Premier League games this season, this after receiving only one in 38 games in 2014-15.
Arnautovic has scored seven goals in the top flight this season, despite having just 11 shots on target.
Norwich have had to make the most clearances (665) and headed clearances (393) in the Premier League in 2015-16 so far.
Merson's prediction
Stoke are in a little bit of a bad patch with two defeats in their last three games, and they were poor against Liverpool before losing to West Brom.
They have talented players but it's hard to keep the consistency going. When you have to produce the goods week in, week out, it is tough and they are finding that out.
I don't like going against Stoke at home, though, and think they will win this.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0
Betting
Stoke are 19/20 with Sky Bet with Norwich 29/10 and the draw 12/5. The Potters have kept clean sheets in the last four home matches and are 21/20 to win to nil.
Check out tips from our Sky Sports pundits Jamie Redknapp, Charlie Nicholas, Phil Thompson and Matt Le Tissier here.
