Stoke City vs Fulham preview: How to watch, kick-off time, team news, predicted lineups and ones to watch

Stoke City have been nothing short of inconsistent in recent weeks, with home losses to Derby County and Preston North End being followed up by 2-0 wins over both Leyton Orient in the FA Cup and away to Hull City last time out.

Michael O'Neill made his fourth signing of the January transfer window this week, with highly-rated youngster Jaden Philogene-Bidace joining on loan from Aston Villa.

The Potters sit eighth in the Championship standings, with just four points between them and Middlesbrough in sixth.

Fulham have comfortably been the best team in the second tier this time around, with the Cottagers five points clear at the top of the league having scored 70 goals in just 26 games.

Marco Silva's side are in scintillating form, with their last three score-lines reading 7-0 vs Reading, 6-2 over Bristol City and 6-2 against Birmingham City, making for a very successful month in front of goal.

Previous to that they had picked up just four points in five league games, but they certainly look to have turned a corner in the new year.

Team news

Stoke City

The Potters have been boosted by numerous players returning to training this week, notably Mario Vrancic, with the Bosnian fit to play after tweaking his hamstring against Leyton Orient a fortnight ago.

The aforementioned Philogene-Bidace is also in contention to appear, after Stoke registered him in time for the visit of Fulham.

Ben Wilmot (back) and Sam Surridge (knee) are both doubtful for Saturday's game.

Nick Powell, Romaine Sawyers and Joe Bursik have all stepped up their training intensity after their respective injuries - but this weekend will be too soon for them to feature.

Harry Souttar, Abdallah Sima and Tom Edwards are all set to face longer spells on the sidelines.

Fulham

Marco Silva has no new injury concerns after the midweek game against Birmingham City.

Jean-Michael Seri remains unavailable after being selected for Africa Cup Of Nations duty by Ivory Coast, and has played three full games at the tournament so far.

Ivan Cavaleiro is yet to return from a groin injury picked up last October, but he is expected to fully recover within the coming weeks.

Predicted lineups

Stoke City (3-4-2-1)

Bonham; Harwood-Bellis, Jagielka, Chester; Smith, Allen, Clucas, Tymon; Ince, Wright-Phillips; Brown.

Fulham (4-2-3-1)

Rodak; Tete, Adarabioyo, Ream, Robinson; Reed, Cairney; Wilson, Kebano, Carvalho; Mitrovic.

Ones to watch

D'Margio Wright Phillips

A surname already ingrained into English football heritage, D'Margio Wright Phillips has all the potential to follow in the footsteps of grandfather Ian and father Shaun in becoming a regular in the Premier League and for his country. Joining Stoke from Manchester City in February of last year, he made his Potters bow just two weeks ago and is already turning heads throughout the English game.

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Michael O'Neill has not been apprehensive in his trust of the 20-year-old forward, and his faith was repaid with a man of the match performance last weekend on his first start for the club against Hull. Another star outing against high-flying Fulham would showcase his talents to an even wider audience.

Aleksandar Mitrovic

Words are hard to come by when describing Mitrovic's huge influence on this Fulham team, but it is safe to say that they would not have scored nearly as many goals without the Serb's electric form this season.

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27 goals and seven assists in 25 league games is unmatched by any player in the division, with the 27-year-old on course to break the league record with ease. His previous spell at Newcastle United was not as fruitful, with just 17 goals in 72 games.