High-flying Tottenham will be hoping to put an end to Stoke City s seven-match unbeaten run when they clash at White Hart Lane on Saturday.
Spurs climbed to fourth on Sunday with a narrow 1-0 win over a gallant Swansea City, and they can consolidate their spot among the Champions League places with three more points against Tony Pulis side.
But as their recent record indicates, Stoke will not be easy to break down as they have conceded just three goals in their past seven matches.
The defensive solidity and all-round discipline sees Pulis men sitting pretty in ninth spot, just five points behind third-placed Chelsea.
Though both sides are in contention for a Champions League spot, Spurs are expected to exact a more sustained challenge for a top-four berth.
Manager Andre Villas-Boas has his side firing on all cylinders, having won four of their past five domestically since their hefty derby loss to Arsenal in November.
They will likely be boosted by the return of star winger Gareth Bale from a hamstring injury, while defender Michael Dawson (hamstring) and Benoit Assou-Ekotto (knee) could also come back into the matchday squad.
Younes Kaboul (knee) will miss, but could return for their Boxing Day trip to Aston Villa.
In selection news for Stoke, injury prone Michael Owen could add to his measly 53 minutes for the club should he come through a friendly with Blackpool.
Throw-in specialist Rory Delap will miss with a hernia.
Recent history between the two sides suggests there will be goals in this game, with their past five Premier League clashes seeing both get on the scoresheet.
Stoke will be hoping to atone for their most recent visit to White Hart Lane in March, when they were held to a 1-1 draw courtesy of a late Rafael van der Vaart equaliser.
Prior to that, Stoke were beaten 3-2 in north London in April 2011 – when their striker Peter Crouch, then clad in Spurs colours – netted twice.
