Sports Mole previews the Premier League clash between Leicester and Stoke as Nigel Pearson's team seek a win which would lift them off the bottom of the table.

Leicester City will climb off the bottom of the Premier League should they continue their upturn in form with victory over Stoke City on Saturday.

The Foxes have collected seven points from a possible nine, but remain at the foot of the table in an indication of their pre-Christmas troubles.

A 1-0 home success over Aston Villa last weekend was their third win by that scoreline in four games in all competitions, and took them to within two points of Queens Park Rangers and Hull City immediately above them.

With the Tigers not in action until they face West Ham United on Sunday, Leicester could relieve themselves of bottom spot by beating Stoke, and even jump out of the drop zone depending on results elsewhere.

The Potters are well clear of relegation trouble, but are stranded in mid-table limbo due to the inconsistency that has thwarted what has otherwise been another season of progress under Mark Hughes.

It is hard to believe that the Stoke side who were brushed aside by Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium last Sunday was the same one who put the Gunners to the sword at the Britannia only a month ago.

Philipp Wollscheid's Premier League debut was a baptism of fire, but the Bayer Leverkusen loanee should keep his place due to injuries to Marc Wilson and Erik Pieters, which will see Marc Muniesa recalled.

Victor Moses and Peter Odemwingie are also missing, but Hughes is hopeful that midfielder Steven N'Zonzi will shake off a knock to continue his record of starting in every Premier League game this term.

With Mame Biram Diouf away at the Africa Cup of Nations, Peter Crouch will spearhead an attack which squandered a hatful of chances as they lost 1-0 to the Foxes in September's reverse fixture.

Leonardo Ulloa scored the only goal that day and, although he only has five since, he is comfortably Leicester's top scorer and should be given the nod to partner David Nugent up front at the King Power Stadium.

It will be Anthony Knockaert and Marc Albrighton tasked with providing them with chances from the wings as manager Nigel Pearson continues to do without AFCON pair Riyad Mahrez and Jeffrey Schlupp.

Infield, Matty James is unavailable following his red card against Villa. Andy King is in line to replace him in the centre of the park as both Danny Drinkwater and Esteban Cambiasso nurse minor injuries.

Kasper Schmeichel is a more long-term absentee. Ben Hamer should hold off competition from new signing Mark Schwarzer to retain his place in goal. Another January recruit could be involved, though, as Croatian striker Andrej Kramaric has now received his work permit.

Leicester:

Form in Premier League: LLLWDW
Form in all competitions: LLWDWW

Possible starting lineup: Hamer; Simpson, Wasilewski, Morgan, Konchesky; Albrighton, Hammond, King, Knockaert; Nugent, Ulloa

Stoke:

Form in Premier League: DLWWDL
Form in all competitions: LWWDWL

Possible starting lineup: Begovic; Cameron, Shawcross, Wollschied, Muniesa; Whelan, N'Zonzi; Walters, Bojan, Arnautovic; Crouch

Sports Mole says: 2-0