Stoke City play host to Charlton Athletic on Saturday afternoon looking to move clear of the Championship relegation zone.

Meanwhile, the visitors sit in 19th position in the standings, just four points ahead of their opponents at the weekend.

Match preview

After a run of 10 points from four fixtures moved Stoke away from the drop zone, Michael O'Neill would have felt that the Potters were well on their way to avoiding a battle to avoid relegation to League One.

However, the 4-0 humbling at Derby County reminded the Northern Irishman that there is much work ahead before there can be any thought of putting together a long-term plan at the bet365 Stadium.

Due to Wigan Athletic's recent resurgence, Stoke now only have a two-point cushion over the Latics, putting the Staffordshire outfit under increasing pressure ahead of welcoming another of their relegation rivals.

That said, O'Neill will take into consideration that their demise at Pride Park could have been a blip, with three successive clean sheets having been recorded before the visit to the East Midlands.

From an attacking perspective, however, just three goals have been scored in their last five outings, an area of their game which must improve if they want to remain at the second tier.

The same applies to Charlton, who have only netted five times across the same period, but Lee Bowyer will be hugely encouraged by their last two results.

On the back of just one win from 17 matches in all competitions, the Addicks have earned a goalless draw with promotion-chasing Fulham and a 2-1 victory over lowly Barnsley.

While that four-point return has come at The Valley, Bowyer needed to see something extra from his players, who had started to look odds-on for relegation despite their bright start to the campaign.

The former midfielder will acknowledge that their recent form needs to be produced on the road, however, as Charlton look to register their first away win since August 31.

Stoke City Championship form: LWDWWL
Stoke City form (all competitions): WLDWWL

Charlton Athletic form: LLDLDW
Charlton Athletic form (all competitions): LLDLDW

Team News

O'Neill could opt to hand a debut to James Chester, who has moved to Stoke on a loan deal from Aston Villa.

Tottenham Hotspur youngster Tashan Oakley-Boothe is also available for selection, although the midfielder may have to make do with a place on the substitutes' bench.

With Tyrese Campbell still on the sidelines, Nick Powell should play behind main striker Sam Vokes.

Bowyer could opt to make just the one change to his starting lineup, introducing Jake Forster-Caskey for Jonny Williams.

Aiden McGeady may potentially be brought into the team should Bowyer switch to one in attack.

Stoke City possible starting lineup:
Butland; Smith, Batth, Chester, Tymon; Allen, Clucas; Ince, Powell, McClean; Vokes

Charlton Athletic possible starting lineup:
Phillips; Matthews, Lockyer, Pearce, Sarr, Doughty; Cullen, Forster-Caskey, Pratley; Green, Taylor

We say: Stoke City 2-1 Charlton Athletic

Given the high stakes, this has all the makings of a closely-fought contest. While the visitors would be content with a point, we feel that Stoke's greater motivation to claim victory could prove to be decisive come the full-time whistle.