It is no win in 12 Premier League matches for Stoke and they are desperately running out of matches in which to turn their plight around. Paul Lambert may have made them hard to beat as of late, a point proven by three successive draws.
Stoke City certainly turned in a spirited performance at Anfield last weekend as they held Champions League Semi-finalists Liverpool to a goalless draw. The hope will be that they can use that a result as a springboard for the visit of Crystal Palace on Saturday.
As good as that draw was, it did highlight the fact that Stoke City have been struggling for goals all season. Then again you could also argue that it is their defensive record that has been their true undoing with 65 goals conceded during this league campaign.
Another problem that Stoke City have is that where they are drawing the teams around them are picking up wins and it is that difference in end results which is leaving the Potters behind and languishing in the bottom three of the table.
One of those teams that are finding results at just the right time are Crystal Palacee, this was evident in their 5-0 home win over Leicester last weekend. A result that all but secures their top-flight status for next season.
The fact that is a sentence that can be written after Palace’s start to the season is nothing short of incredible. No wins and no goals from their first eight matches had just about everyone writing off the Eagles.
They took full advantage of the fact that Claude Puel’s Leicester side are already dreaming of their summer holidays, as they turned in another impressive display in front of their own fans and it is fair to say that it is their home form that has kept them up this season.
Credit must go to Roy Hodgson and his players for digging in when it really matters as they find themselves well clear of the relegation zone, while they will look to go even further up the table with a win at the Bet365 Stadium.
One of the players that will come in for praise is Wilfried Zaha who scored one goal and made another in Palace’s rout over Leicester last weekend. At the same time though it would be unfair to single him out as it really has been a team effort for the Eagles since Hodgson took the reigns.
The challenge for Palace now will be to finish as high up the table as they possibly can, not only to avoid relegation but to also earn as much prize money as possible. The more they receive, the more Roy Hodgson has at his disposal in the transfer window this Summer.
If results go against Stoke then they could have their relegation confirmed by the end of Saturday. After not winning any of their last dozen league matches there is little to suggest that this is the game where the run ends. It looks like it could well be the end of Stoke’s Premier League road this weekend.