Club News

STAT PACK: Stoke numbers scrutinised

All the key facts and figures ahead of Potters visit

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Albion and Stoke played out a 1-1 draw at the bet365 Stadium in September. Joe Allen opened the scoring in the 73rd minute, only for Salomon Rondon to head home a 91st minute equaliser for Tony Pulis’ side.

Stoke City was Albion’s first ever Football League game, on September 8, 1888. The Baggies won 2-0 at the Victoria Ground.

The Potters recorded a 10-3 victory over Albion on February 4, 1937, 80 years ago to the day on Saturday. That remains our worst ever league defeat. Goalkeeper Billy Light suffered a nasty injury after five minutes and could barely move for the rest of the game, back in the days when there was no subs.

Albion are unbeaten in their last four Premier League games against Stoke City. The Potters’ last victory over the Baggies came in December, 2014, when Mame Biram Diouf’s double downed the visitors in Staffordshire.

Having managed both sides, Tony Pulis has been on the losing side as manager only once in 12 Premier League matches between Albion and Stoke (W8 D3).

Salomon Rondon rescues a point for Albion at the bet365 Stadium with a glancing header


ALBION

James Morrison became the third Scottish player to be involved in 50 Premier League goals for one club when he scored at Middlesbrough on Tuesday night. Duncan Ferguson and Kevin Gallagher are the others. 

The Baggies will be searching for their 10th Premier League win of the season when Stoke visit The Hawthorns on Saturday. Pulis’ side have won six at home and three on the road.

Albion have won five of their last six home games in the Premier League. Their most recent victory came on Saturday, January 21, when Sunderland were defeated 2-0. 

The Baggies have already scored 21 home Premier League goals this season, one more than they managed throughout 2015/16 (20).

In 15 Premier League meetings with Stoke, Albion are yet to be awarded a penalty or shown a red card.

Only the top four have scored more goals at home than Albion in the Premier League this season


STOKE CITY

Forward Peter Crouch scored his 100th Premier League goal in Stoke’s 1-1 draw with Everton on Wednesday night. The former England striker has found the back of the net for Aston Villa, Southampton, Liverpool, Portsmouth and Spurs, as well as the Potters. Crouch has also scored in four of his last five Premier League appearances.

Stoke have gone four games without defeat in the Premier League. The Potters have won two and drawn two.

Mark Hughes’ men have scored 59% of their goals in the first half of Premier League matches this season, the highest proportion of any team.

Marko Arnautovic has had a hand in 40 Premier League goals for Stoke City (19 goals, 21 assists) - 11 more than any other team-mate since his debut for the club in 2013.

Stoke will be looking for their fourth away win in the Premier League this season. The Potters have recorded victories over Sunderland, Hull and Watford.