Facts and stats ahead of Saturday’s game
GO FOURTH // The Potters will be looking to secure a fourth win over West Bromwich Albion on 24th September. Jack Peart’s doubled helped Stoke to a 2-0 Birmingham & District League victory in 1910 before a 1-0 win at the Hawthorns in 1966, courtesy of a John Ritchie strike. A 2-1 triumph then followed at the Victoria Ground in 1995 with Paul Peschisolido and Kevin Keen on the scoresheet on that occasion.
Ten current Barça players have found the net against Los Colchoneros in La Liga — with Messi having the most success.
Barcelona have confirmed that Lionel Messi will be sidelined for three weeks with a groin strain.
The 29-year-old was replaced by Arda Turan just before the hour-mark of his side’s 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid at Camp Nou on Wednesday.
Barcelona coach Luis Enrique believes his team will remain “strong” despite losing Lionel Messi to injury.
Messi came off during the second half of Barca’s 1-1 LaLiga draw with Atletico Madrid at Camp Nou on Wednesday.
Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone praised his team’s second-half performance after earning a 1-1 draw at Barcelona in LaLiga on Wednesday.
Nice coach Lucien Favre believes Mario Balotelli is on track to return to the top level after another brace in Ligue 1.
The Italian forward struck twice as Nice crushed Monaco 4-0 to move top of the table.
After a poor spell at Liverpool, and on loan at AC Milan, Balotelli has netted four times in two league games for Nice.
Favre feels the 26-year-old is slowly showing the level he can play at.
Grant and Ramadan handed starting debuts…
EGYPTIAN star Ramadan was handed his Stoke City starting debut on Wednesday night as boss Mark Hughes looked to lead his side through to the last 16 of the EFL Cup.
Claudio Ranieri felt the performance of Shinji Okazaki on Tuesday highlighted the number of options at his disposal among his Leicester City squad.
Iceland are unlikely to feature on the FIFA 17 video game after the country’s federation became involved in a dispute over pay with developers.
Ilkay Gundogan has made a swift impact at Manchester City, but says he cannot discount the possibility of rejoining Borussia Dortmund further down the line.