West Ham V Stoke Barclays Premier League Match 31 -August 2013.West Ham are without midfielder Alou Diarra, who looks set to miss the rest of the season after picking up a knee ligament injury in the League Cup.
Andy Carroll (heel) and George McCartney (knee) remain out but could return after the international break.
Stoke striker Peter Crouch is back after missing the Potters' League Cup win through illness, although hat-trick hero Kenwyne Jones may keep his place.Watch West Ham V Stoke Live, Watch West Ham V Stoke Live Stream, Watch West Ham V Stoke Free Live Stream, Watch West Ham V Stoke Online, Watch West Ham V Stoke Online Free, West Ham V Stoke Live, West Ham V Stoke live stream Online.
Jamie Ness has a thigh injury and is City's only certain absentee.
MATCH PREVIEW
This match finished in a 1-1 draw last season and there's every chance there won't be much between the two sides in this one as well.
West Ham have started with two clean sheets, beating newly-promoted Cardiff on the opening day and drawing 0-0 at Newcastle a week ago.
Stoke secured their first win of the season under new manager Mark Hughes last weekend with a 2-1 victory over another of the Premier league new boys, Crystal Palace. That followed their tough opener at Anfield, where they were beaten 1-0 by Liverpool.
LAWRO'S PREDICTION
Image of Mark Lawrenson Mark Lawrenson Football analyst
"Stoke boss Mark Hughes will be pleased so far but he has two problems: first, he has very little money to spend and second, he is trying to change the way they play. That can't happen overnight but he is looking for more quality in the final third and more goals."
Read Lawro's full prediction and score
The defeat on Merseyside could easily have been a draw, but Simon Mignolet saved Jonathan Walters' late penalty. That result continued a run that has seen Stoke win only one of their last dozen away matches in the Premier league, at QPR in April.
I'm interested to see what changes Hughes has implemented already at Stoke following the summer departure of Tony Pulis. I noticed a clear change of style from Everton under Roberto Martinez even on the opening day at Norwich.
This game also brings together two former managers of Blackburn Rovers, who were in charge during happier times at Ewood Park.
Mark Hughes took them into Europe, while Sam Allardyce started his reign there with a 3-0 win over Stoke City in December 2008 and was surprisingly sacked two years later with the club 13th in the table. What they'd give to be in that position now.
Last season's 2-1 win for West Ham over QPR was Allardyce's first Premier League success in the last seven over a Mark Hughes team. The Hammers' solid home form probably makes them slight favourites here, though once again they'll be without striker Andy Carroll, who is still recovering from a heel injury.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
West Ham are enjoying a four-match unbeaten run against Stoke (W2, D2). This includes a 1-0 win at the Britannia Stadium in March courtesy of a Jack Collison goal.
Stoke's only Premier League win in four previous attempts at Upton Park (D1, L2) came in March 2010, when Ricardo Fuller scored in a 1-0 win.
The Potters are two goals away from reaching a 100 goals against the Hammers in all competitions.
West Ham and Stoke have both been involved in six 0-0 draws since the beginning of last season, joint league highs. However, there has never been a goalless Premier League draw between the clubs.
West Ham
The Hammers are unbeaten in their last six home league games (W4, D2) since a 3-2 defeat to Tottenham last February.
Sam Allardyce's men are yet to concede a goal so far this campaign. They have not kept three clean sheets in their opening three Premier League games since the 1998-99 season.
West Ham have kept clean sheets in three of their last four home matches.
The 617 passes attempted by West Ham is fewer than any other side in the Premier League so far this season.
Stoke
Mark Hughes has lost only three of 12 previous Premier League encounters against Sam Allardyce (W5, D4). One of those defeats was in the last meeting between the two men as West Ham saw off Hughes' QPR 2-1 last October.
Stoke, beaten at Liverpool on the opening weekend, won only twice away last season, the equal-lowest tally in last season's Premier League.
Asmir Begovic (14) has made more saves in this season's Premier League than any other goalkeeper.
The Potters' pass completion in their victory over Crystal Palace last week was 78%. Last season they averaged only 70%.