Subs: Spiegel, Tomkins, Collins, Valencia, Moses, Emenike, Byram
Dimitri Payet hasn’t travelled to Stoke. Clearly, he’s been there before. Apparently he took a knock in training on Friday. If Bilic feels we need a stronger, defensive midfield, I imagine Pedro Obiang will get a rare start. I really like Obiang and I hope he stays. He’s been excellent whenever he’s been included, and has been unfortunate not to get a prolonged run in the team. Alternatively, Valencia may start. I’d go with Obiang.
We do need to go for a win because both Liverpool and Southampton could well win their respective games against Palace and West Brom respectively. If we draw and Southampton win 1-0 they go above us. Similarly, if we lose 1-0 and Liverpool win 2-0, they go above us. Nailbiting stuff. So we absolutely need 3 points. If we get them, and Man U draw or lose, we go above them into 5th place. That’s what we should be aiming for. Mind you, I don’t fancy Bournemouth’s chances at Old Trafford. But you never know.
Whatever happens tomorrow, we should be very proud of what our team has achieved this season. If we’re honest with ourselves we know we should have finished at least a place or two higher, but the refereeing and injury Gods have often been against us. But I think of we had been told we’d finish in the top 6 in August few of us would have believed it.
You have until 1.45on to enter the final Predictor League of the season.