Good afternoon all! We're reaching the final stretch of the Premier League season. Right here, we're focusing on the mid-table clash between Stoke City and West Ham United at the Britannia.

Both sides are on 31 points in the table and are desperate to ensure that they do not fall into the relegation scrap. With Stoke and West Ham both six points adrift of the bottom three, I think it's safe to say that neither will be playing their football in the Championship next season. Although, nothing is wrapped up yet!

Before we get into the nitty gritty, let's have a look at the team news that has just filtered through from the Britannia. Starting with the home side...

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

Substitutes' bench: Sorensen, Muniesa, Palacios, Guidetti, Etherington, Wilkinson, Shotton

And now for the visitors...

WEST HAM XI: Adrian; Demel, Reid, Tomkins, McCartney; Nolan, Noble, Diame, Downing; Nocerino; Carroll

Substitutes' bench: Jarvis, Armero, Taylor, Collins, Jaaskelainen, C.Cole, J.Cole

So, there we have it. Stephen Ireland comes into the fold for the home side as manager Hughes is without Jonathan Walters, who has been banned by the FA following a red-card offence in last weekend's draw with Norwich City. The Potters tried to get the card rescinded, but were unsuccessful in their appeal.

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has made four changes to the side that succumbed to defeat against Everton a fortnight ago. James Collins, Matt Jarvis, Matthew Taylor and Carlton Cole are all out of the starting XI, while Winston Reid, Mohamed Diame, Antonio Nocerino and Andy Carroll all come in.

It's a big boost for West Ham as Carroll makes his first start since carrying out a three-match suspension following a red card that he received against Swansea City. The £15m striker came off the bench against Everton in the Hammers' last league match, but instead of Carlton Cole, Allardyce has opted to push Carroll into the fray.

For this afternoon's encounter, Stoke boss Mark Hughes has been unable to call on both Walters and Charlie Adam, both of whom are serving suspensions. The club have not been best pleased with the FA of late, having failed to overturn both punishments. As mentioned earlier, Walters was sent off against Norwich City, while Adam was found guilty of violent conduct during the Potters' victory over Arsenal a fortnight ago.

Stoke chief executive Tony Scholes suggested that his club rarely succeeds in appeals to the FA following the ruling regarding Adam, so, everyone at Stoke will be hoping that big decisions do not go against them today!

Anyway, let's focus on matters at hand on the field itself. Stoke have lost just once in their last six matches, two victories within those six coming at home against Manchester United and Arsenal. That will be something that West Ham will be wary of this afternoon.

However, the Hammers have got something to shout about! Losing to Everton in their last outing is the first time that they have succumbed to defeat in five matches. It's a stark contrast to earlier in the season when rumours were spreading that Allardyce could be given the chop and the club could return to the Championship.

The two sides went head to head in the first month of the new season at Upton Park, and it was a single goal from Stoke's Jermaine Pennant that separated the sides. The Potters have the chance to do the league double this afternoon, but Hughes is expected it to be a tough ask.

The manager told Stoke's official website: "It's an opportunity to record a league double over West Ham this weekend, and that is a good incentive for the lads.

"West Ham will provide us with a real tough test though, there is no doubt about that in mind, so we know that we are going to have to be at our best if we are to get the result that we want.

"They will come here, be strong and organised, and they will know that with the players they have, particularly in attacking areas, they will feel that they can hurt us. That said, we know we are a good team."

For Allardyce, he has claimed this week that his main priority is ensuring Premier League safety for West Ham, given that the club have just 10 games left to play.

He said in Friday's press conference: "We'd have to say at this stage of the season it's about how quickly can you get safe.

"How quickly as a squad of players can you achieve the results you need to achieve to secure your position in the Barclays Premier League because then it's an opportunity to ease the pressure on the players that everybody has at this stage of the season. You see how far then you can finish in the league."

Stoke's official Twitter page has given a glimpse of the players warming up ahead of kickoff.

PREDICTION: With around 15 minutes or so until we get underway, I think it's a good time for a prediction. For me, I don't expect a high-scoring game and given that Stoke have been impressive at home of late, I would just edge them ahead this afternoon. Another slender 1-0 would ensure their league double over West Ham.

In their last five meetings, it's West Ham who are leading the way, but only just. The Hammers have won twice, while Stoke have one victory under their belts. The remaining two matches have ended in draws, so it could be a tight affair today.

Before the players emerge onto the field, the Stoke fans have paid tribute to former player Calvin Palmer, who played for the club in the 1960s, but sadly passed away this week. A round of applause rings around the stadium as both teams line up in the tunnel ahead of kickoff.

Both teams are out on the pitch and after the obligatory handshakes, this match will get underway.

KICKOFF! West Ham get us underway, kicking from right to left.

Downing is on the charge for West Ham as he brings the play out to the left side, but Wilson manages to cut across in time to halt his run.

What a great start for West Ham! Carroll opens the scoring after Noble lofts the ball into the area from a free kick. Begovic comes off his line in a bid to punch the ball away, but Carroll gets to it first and finds the back of the net.

SAVE! The scoreline should be level in these early stages. Ireland drives into the box and gets an open chance on goal, but his effort should have been much better as Adrian is able to dive to his left and knock the ball out of play.

It's an end to end start at the Britannia! Both teams are on the attack, which is making the contest very open. Eight West Ham players flood into the box for a corner, which was won by Carroll, but when the ball comes in, none of the claret and blue shirts can make the most of it.

West Ham are on the attack once again as Demel drives down the right-hand side and crosses the ball into the area, but Wilson manages to get a head to it first and prevent any danger on the Potters' goal.

At the other end, Ireland plays the ball out wide on the right to Cameron, who storms down the flank and sends a low cross into the box. It eventually falls to N'Zonzi, who goes for the shot, but his effort flies over the bar.

It's been a lively opening 10 minutes at the Britannia! A goal could come from either side at this rate. We've had a slight break in play as Carroll changes his socks for some reason.

SUBSTITUTION: It's bad news for Stoke as Pieters hobbles off down the tunnel and Muniesa, who makes his eighth Premier League appearance, comes on in his place.

Arnautovic goes for an ambitious long-range shot, which flicks off the boot of Nolan and goes out for a corner, but it comes to nothing for the Potters.

Noble lofts another ball into the box from a free kick, but this time, Begovic is able to get his hands to it first.

It could have been an embarrassing moment for Odemwingie, who drops the ball off short in his own penalty box with West Ham players lurking in the area, but Shawcross is able to clear the danger in time.

There's some murmurs of discontent coming from the home supporters as West Ham continue to put pressure on their team's defence.

Stoke need to calm proceedings at the moment because they're giving the ball away quite easily in their own half. They'll be hoping that they don't rue Ireland's failure to equalise!

Shawcross needs to be careful as this game continues as he's already given away numerous fouls. One of which results in another free kick for West Ham. The ball is searching for Carroll, but he fails to find the end of it in the penalty area.

The ball flies into the box from the back, but it's a wasted effort from West Ham as Begovic manages to grab the ball with ease.

Another chance came close for the Hammers as the ball bounces free with Nolan storming into it's path, but Begovic timed coming off his line perfectly to get to the ball first.

At the other end, Cameron launches a long throw into the penalty area, but Tomkins has enough time to head clear any potential danger.

Stoke have got their equaliser! A corner kick comes in and finds the head of Crouch, who leaps up to connect to the ball, but Adrian knocks it onto the crossbar. Despite the scramble, the play is still alive and Crouch lifts his right foot to nudge the ball into the net after it bounces off Odemwingie's shoulder.

CORRECTION: It appears that Crouch's effort has been awarded to Odemwingie for hitting it into the net with his shoulder. Not sure how pleased Crouch will be with that...

Stoke have been lifted and are now upping the tempo, but West Ham are just trying to calm things down by knocking the ball about in their own half.

West Ham are awarded a free kick in a dangerous area. Nocerino's ball soars into the box, but Crouch is there to header it clear. The Hammers are still on the attack until Carroll is penalised for a nudge in the back of Shawcross.

N'Zonzi turns and moves towards goal, but he decides to go for glory with a long-range effort, but his low shot goes wayward and fails to trouble Adrian.

CHANCE! McCartney gets brought down, but the referee allows play to go on, which gives Carroll the chance to set up a shot. He tries to curl it into the top of the net, but it grazes over the crossbar.

Begovic releases the ball with a quick throw to find the feet of Arnautovic, but while on the attack, the ball just gets away from him and West Ham are able to thwart out any efforts on goal.

Demel hoofs the ball up towards the final third, but it's an aimless pass as it bounces to Begovic. It's becoming a scrappy end to the first half.

SAVE! Stoke could have taken a 2-1 lead on the stroke of half time as Ireland is played in by Arnautovic, but his close-range effort goes straight to Adrian, who blocks the shot with his body and keeps the scoreline level.

We've reached the break and it's all square at the Britannia. You'd have to say that there's not much in it between the two sides. The away team started off the stronger side and were rewarded when Carroll found the back of the net after four minutes.

Stoke had the chance to equalise within a minute after going behind, but Ireland failed to convert his effort. Once the Potters' goal came, they upped the tempo, but it still remained a rather open game in the first 45 minutes.

I wouldn't say that either manager has too much to be concerned about, but Allardyce will probably feel that goalkeeper Adrian should have done better to keep out that scrappy goal from Stoke.

The visitors will try to get Carroll on the ball as much as possible as he's already shown his quality in front of goal. However, the striker's influence dwindled slightly as the game progressed. Nolan has been on top form as late, so the Hammers will be hoping that he can make a difference in the second half.

For Stoke, they need to begin the half as they finished the first - on the attack. Ireland has had two glorious chances to score, but has failed to take either of them. At the moment, a draw is arguably the fairest result. We'll see if that changes when the second half gets underway shortly.

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! Stoke get proceedings going, with neither side having made any half-time substitutions.

Stoke are on the attack early as Cameron floats a ball into the box, but Reid is able to head clear.

Two players are down in West Ham's half as McCartney and Cameron receive treatment after a clash of heads.

Thankfully, both players have been given the go-ahead to carry on, but Cameron is just getting bandaged up by the Stoke's medical team before the drop-ball restarts play.

Ireland plays the ball out wide for Cameron, but Diame is able to win back possession for West Ham and launch an attack. It appears that Cameron's bandage could be causing him some problems with his vision!

CHANCE! Diame runs down to the line and unleashes a cross into the box, which Nolan latches onto the end of, but his header flies high and wide. Carroll was just arriving at the back post, which could have been a better option for the Hammers.

Some intricate play from Stoke as Arnautovic slides the ball into the area with his right foot, but the move is cut down by the Hammers defence.

It's a poor ball from Demel as he lifts it over the top looking for Diame, but his effort is too heavy and it bounces behind the line for a Stoke goal kick.

Stoke were so close to creating a decent chance for themselves then! Another fantastic ball from Arnautovic on the outside of his foot falls into the path of Crouch, who stretches his leg out to connect to the ball, but he just misses it and Adrian can pick it up.

SAVE! Some great work from Nolan and Carroll, as the captain plays the ball out into the path of Carroll. The striker hammers the ball, looking for the near post, but Begovic is able to make the save.

GOAL RULED OUT! West Ham have the ball in the back of the net, but the linesman rightfully rules it out as the goalscorer Nolan is offside. Begovic makes the mistake of coming off his line and as the ball is played over the top, Nolan gets behind the keeper and slots the ball into the back of the net, but it doesn't count.

SUBSTITUTION: West Ham make their first change of the game as Joe Cole comes onto the field to replace Stewart Downing.

The Hammers are on the attack again through Carroll, who plays it out to Cole. He then plays it back to McCartney, but his pass into the box fails to find any of his teammates and it goes out of play.

McCartney floats the ball into the penalty area, looking for Carroll. He is able to find his man, but Begovic comes off his line just in time to muscle his way to the ball first.

Just as I say that Stoke aren't creating any chances, Arnautovic edges the home side in front! The player gets a bit of luck as he receives the pass in the middle of the area. The ball gets a slight bounce off a West Ham player and stays in Arnautovic's path as he goes past a number of opponents to slide the ball into the back of the net.

Oh dear, a big mistake from referee Craig Pawson! It's a clear handball in the box from Muniesa, who lifts his left arm as both him and Carroll jump to head the ball. Pawson was close to the incident, but he waved away the penalty claim.

West Ham call for another handball offence! Nolan is screaming for a penalty, but as the ball strokes the arm of Wilson after Nolan heads the ball downwards, but replays show that the officials made the right decision not to give it.

SUBSTITUTION: Carlton Cole has entered the field for the Hammers as Antonio Nocerino makes way.

SUBSTITUTION: Carlton Cole has entered the field for the Hammers as Antonio Nocerino makes way.

BOOKING! Whelan is the first player to get a yellow card in the match for dissent. The referee brings out the card after Whelan expresses his anger at Crouch being penalised.

Well, that is definitely how you do a counter-attack! Stoke break with Ireland, who passes the ball to his right and into the path of Odemwingie, who fires the ball into the top of the net. You would expect all three points to be staying in Stoke this afternoon.

SAVE! Adrian is forced to make two saves in quick succession when he palms the ball away following a long-range shot from Arnautovic. The ball remains in play and Crouch tries his hand with a shot just on the edge of the area, but Adrian knocks it behind the line from his near post.

SUBSTITUTION: Andy Carroll's time on the pitch comes to an end as Pablo Armero comes on to make his West Ham debut.

After West Ham dominated the majority of the second half, Stoke are now coming on top following Odemwingie's blow to the Hammers. If the scoreline stays this way, then you'd have to argue that it's slightly harsh on West Ham. Stoke fans won't care, though!

BOOKING! A rash challenge from Noble on Arnautovic results in the West Ham player receiving a yellow card.

CHANCE! Arnautovic has the opportunity to get his second goal after some impressive build-up play with Crouch. The striker plays the ball back to Arnautovic, who leans back and tries to slam the ball into the top left corner of the net, but it just flies over the crossbar.

CHANCE! N'Zonzi goes for another long-range effort and Adrian is able to make the save, but he makes a fumble of it as he drops the ball. Fortunately for him, he is able to gather in time to prevent any further danger.

Stoke are just trying to see out the match now and take all three points. There's a bit of conflict between Nolan and Begovic as the goalkeeper goes to ground to collect the ball and Nolan leaves his foot in, but it's just handbags.

Stoke grab all three points to move up to 10th in the table, while West Ham drop to 11th. You would have to argue that the 3-1 scoreline flatters the Potters slightly, but they are now edging closer to securing Premier League safety.

Thank you for joining Sports Mole for this afternoon's coverage at the Britannia, and you can keep track of all of today's football results here. Until next time, goodbye!