The last game between the two sides saw the Clarets come away from the Britannia Stadium with a 1-0 win courtesy of a Gary Cahill winner. Burnley fans always knew he was good, but this was the game we really took him to our hearts. A certain Ade Akinbiyi partnered a certain Gifton Noel-Williams up front that day for Stoke, but they both looked frustrated at the long balls being played up to them from the back. It was Steve Cotterill’s first game back at Stoke since he left to take up the assistant manager’s job at Sunderland under Howard Wilkinson. The Stoke fans gave him some stick that day, and much of the same is expected for this fixture, particularly as Cotts went back to his old club and nicked half of their team!

So, on to the teams. A welcome clean bill of health for the Clarets as Wayne Thomas gets closer to full fitness. Thommo’s expected to start this one on the bench again against his former club. Nathan Dyer, as we know, has returned to Southampton following his loan deal, this will force Cotterill into at least one change from the Watford game, with Garreth O’Connor and Wade Elliot battling to replace him.

Stoke welcome back Marlom Broomes, John Halls, and probably more importantly Sambegou Bangoura, all from bans following their 3-2 win at Luton. Bangoura does look a good signing after already netting eight times since his move from Belgian side Standard Liege. Two players definitely expected to miss this one are Clint Hill and John Eustace, both ruled out through injury.

Expect a fierce battle in front of a decent crowd, Stoke are expected to bring a very good following, and with five straight wins at home the Clarets should be able to pull a few in for the holiday fixture. With Stoke lying in 5th and the Clarets just two points behind them in 8th, it’s sure to be a Christmas treat.

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