Afternoon all. So, while there is a lot of attention on what is happening at the top of the Premier League table, here we will be covering the fortunes of two sides battling to stay in the division - it's Norwich City vs. Stoke City.

But before we look deeper as to why this game is important for both sides, let's take a look at the team news from Carrow Road. We'll start with the home side...

NORWICH XI: Ruddy; Martin, Yobo, Bassong, Olsson; Snodgrass, Tettey, Johnson, Redmond; Hoolahan; Van Wolfswinkel

NORWICH SUBS: Bunn, Whittaker, Howson, Hooper, Pilkington, Elmander, Becchio

So, perhaps surprisingly Chris Hughton has given Ricky van Wolfswinkel the nod as the lone striker ahead of Gary Hooper, who has to settle for a place among the substitutes. Elsewhere, Nathan Redmond will continue out wide, while Martin Olsson is fit enough to start at left-back.

And now for visiting Stoke...

STOKE XI: Begovic; Cameron, Shawcross, Wilson, Pieters; Odemwingie, Whelan, Nzonzi, Arnautovic; Walters, Crouch

STOKE SUBS: Sorensen, Muniesa, Palacios, Guidetti, Etherington, Wilkinson, Ireland

There is no Charlie Adam for the away side due to suspension, which has seen Peter Odemwingie return to the midfield in a wide role. Apart from that, Mark Hughes has gone with the same side that defeated title challengers Arsenal last weekend. That means that Peter Crouch will play as a lone striker, with Jonathan Walters offering the support.

Going back to Norwich, it's got to be said that it's a big call from Hughton to go with Van Wolfswinkel up front. The Dutch frontman has scored just one goal this season, despite the fact that he arrived for a club-record fee during the summer. The home fans have not been shy this season in letting it be known that they would like to see Hooper and Van Wolfswinkel play as a partnership, but Hughton has resisted the calls.

And here is what Hughton has had to say about this game: "They're on the back of a good result against Arsenal, but we're very close in this league table, and a win on Saturday gives us the opportunity to go above them in the league - that's how tight it is," he told the club's official website.

"Stoke have had a fair bit of stability in their team - they haven't had to make too many changes because they haven't had too many injuries. We need to get back to the home form that we've shown in recent games, particularly against Manchester City and Tottenham where we were able to give our support what they wanted."

To be fair to Norwich, while scoring goals has been a problem at times this season, conceding them hasn't - at least at home. From their last four matches at Carrow Road, they haven't let in a single goal. That is some record.

What of Stoke? Here is what their manager Hughes told the club's official website during the week: "It is something which we are always striving to do but it's difficult in the Premier League because you know week in, week out there is always going to be a huge test in terms of the opposition at the top, middle and bottom.

"On the back of the Arsenal result it would be a shame if we couldn't go and put in a good performance and pick up some points on our travels.

"That's been our Achilles heel this season to be perfectly honest and we all accept that, but we've seen decent signs in the last couple of away games to think that it is maybe changing now and we are going to be more accomplished away from home."

Those Stoke fans that have made the trip today are probably not overly confident. After all, their side has won just won away match all season and that was back in August at West Ham United. In total, the Potters have lost 10 of their 14 encounters away from the Britannia Stadium, conceding 28 goals in the process. During that time, they've scored just 10 goals.

Talking of supporters, the Norwich fans did not give an adverse reaction when Wes Hoolahan's name was read out over the speaker system. It was well documented that he wanted to join Aston Villa in January and didn't even celebrate when scored against them last week! Other fans my have jeered his presence, but the home faithful didn't.

PREDICTION: So, with around 10 minutes to go until we get started, let's have a stab at predicting the outcome of this clash. It's been billed as a must-win fixture for Norwich and when they've played those this season, they've won them. As for Stoke, as mentioned earlier, they have struggled away from home. Let's go for a 2-0 victory for the home team, with Van Wolfswinkel bringing an end to his drought.

Right, the players are now making their way on to the pitch. It's a very sunny day in Norfolk so let's hope that the standard of football can live up to the bright surroundings!

KICKOFF! Hosting Norwich, attacking from right to left during the first half, get this important encounter started.

It's been a bright start from the home side, although they are yet to test Asmir Begovic in the Stoke net. A cross from Robert Snodgrass did cause some problems for the Stoke rearguard, but they eventually cleared the danger.

Just moments after Crouch fails to convert a chance for Stoke, the Potters are perhaps lucky to have 11 men on the pitch. As Ryan Shawcross looks to let the ball roll out of play, Van Wolfswinkel applies pressure. For some reason, the Stoke defender then throws out his arm, which connects with the Norwich striker's head. Referee Andre Marriner awards nothing, but replays show that Shawcross is lucky.

CHANCE! Decent opportunity for Arnautovic, who takes one touch inside the Norwich area to steady himself. His second sees him volley goalwards from 12 yards out, but there is far too much loft on the shot and the ball flies well over the crossbar.

SAVE! Stoke may regret not making the most of these chances. The latest to try his luck is Walters from the edge of the area, but he doesn't get enough power in the strike and John Ruddy gets down in plenty of time to hold the ball.

We've just had the first real sight of Norwich winger Redmond, who jinked his way beyond two Stoke players in the centre of the pitch. After that, though, his cross-field pass for Snodgrass was intercepted. It sums up the match so far from a Norwich point of view.

The home fans have started to grow a little restless. Every misplaced pass is being greeted with a groan, which in turn appears to be putting more pressure on the players.

As I just said:

Better from Norwich and Redmond as the England Under-21 international hurdles two sliding challenges on his way into the penalty area. He then plays the ball out wide to Snodgrass, but with Van Wolfswinkel waiting inside the area, the winger slips and can only send the ball bouncing into the side netting.

SAVE! At last Norwich call Begovic into action and it's a good save from the Bosnian as well. Hoolahan is afforded too much time on the edge of the area and he takes advantage by dinking a pass through for Snodgrass. His shot from 10 yards out has plenty of power, but it is at a good height for the Stoke keeper, who is able to palm clear the danger.

CHANCE! Another opening for Norwich and on this occasion Snodgrass turns provider with a corner from the left. It's flicked on by Van Wolfswinkel at the near post, but Yobo is unable to make a connection from close range and the ball drifts wide of the target.

Not too much to report from the last five minutes or so. The half was actually summed up by an effort from Arnautovic, who dragged a shot well wide from 20 yards out. There's a distinct lack of quality from both teams right now.

It's wayward pass after wayward pass right now - from both teams. On this performance, it's little wonder that these two are struggling towards the bottom end of the table.

No stoppage time at the end of the first half - perhaps referee Marriner has seen enough as well! In what is a game that both could do with winning, they are currently cancelling each out.

As the home side, the onus is arguably on Norwich to mount attacks. To be brutally honest, they have struggled to do that. Begovic has only been called into any telling action once and that was still a relatively routine stop to deny Snodgrass. Like most of the season, Van Wolfswinkel has been ineffective up front.

In the Stoke dressing room, Hughes will probably be ruing his side's failure to convert the early chances that they forged out. After that, they have struggled to create too much. Having said that, Crouch has caused problems to the Norwich defence whenever the ball has been directed towards him. It's a tactic that they may look to deploy even more after the restart.

So, how can this game improve from a Norwich point of view? Firstly, they need to get Redmond on the ball more frequently. It doesn't always come off for the youngster, but at least he's positive in possession. What's more, it wouldn't hurt if Hooper was thrown on as an extra attacking option.

RESTART! Neither manager makes a change as Stoke get the match back underway.

PENALTY APPEAL! Stoke want a penalty as Odemwingie tumbles just inside the area under a challenge from Tettey. The big appeal comes from Crouch, but Marriner insists that there was not enough contact. Having seen the replay, it looks to be the right decision from the man with the whistle.

SAVE! A huge sigh of relief from Begovic, who almost cost his team the opening goal. Hoolahan's shot from the edge of the area is straight at the Stoke keeper. However, he pushes it behind him and only a quick scamper backwards stops the ball from crossing the line.

BOOKING! It's the first yellow card of the afternoon for Stoke defender Marc Wilson, who clearly hauled down Snodgrass.

And it's a costly foul for Wilson to commit because from the resultant free kick, Norwich lead. Snodgrass sends over the ball from the right and with the visiting defence marking zonally, Johnson rises highest to plant a header beyond a static Begovic from six yards out. Big goal for Norwich.

It's been a positive reaction from Stoke, who have started to revert to type by pumping a succession of long balls into the Norwich box. The home side have so far dealt with the threat, but they do look a little shaky.

SUBSTITUTION: First change of the match for Stoke and it's the disappointing Odemwingie that is coming off. He's been replaced by Manchester City loanee John Guidetti, who will partner Crouch up front.

SUBSTITUTION: And now it's Norwich's turn to make a switch. The creative Hoolahan is given a breather and the Irishman has been replaced by the more industrious Jonny Howson.

BOOKING! Second caution of the afternoon for Stoke and it's a wild challenge from Geoff Cameron on the flying Redmond. The Stoke defender doesn't even bother arguing his case, largely because he didn't have one!

Sebastien Bassong - what an earth are you thinking?! Guidetti is going away from goal, but the Norwich centre-back attempts to get the ball. He ends up getting nowhere near it and the Swede hits the deck - a certain penalty. Up steps Walters and although Ruddy guesses the right way, there is too much power in the strike. Stoke are level and the home fans aren't happy. Moments later, Arnautovic leaves the action and is replaced by Matthew Etherington.

Will Hughton now regret taking off Hoolahan? The Republic of Ireland international was Norwich's most creative player before he was replaced. That could end up being a costly decision by the Norwich boss.

Walters goes from hero to zero in the space of five minutes! The Stoke attacker doesn't really have any defence either because he goes in high on Tettey and catches the Norwich midfielder on the knee. There is no hesitation from Marriner, who sends the Stoke player off for an early bath. Maybe he was too hyped up after his equaliser!

SUBSTITUTIONS: And after just 16 minutes of being on the pitch, Guidetti has been sacrificed to compensate for the red card. He's been replaced by Stephen Ireland. There is also a double change for Norwich as Hooper and Elmander take the place of Tettey and Van Wolfswinkel.

CHANCES! A couple of chances from 20 yards out for Norwich in quick succession, but first Hooper sends his effort way over the top, before Howson shows a lack of composure in dragging his low shot way wide of the target. Nevertheless, Norwich are starting to push forward in search of a winning goal.

There will be five minutes of stoppage time. Stoke have settled for a point but can Norwich break them down?!

Norwich are slinging the ball into the Stoke box on regular occasions, but it's being thwarted by the away side right now. They have two minutes to hang on here.

Some jeers ring out as the referee calls time on proceedings. Stoke are certainly the happier of the two teams with that point, particularly after Walters was dismissed. Norwich remain 15th, four points above the relegation zone, while six points now separate the Potters and the drop.

That is all we have time for from Carrow Road. Thanks for joining us this afternoon and until next time, goodbye.