Sports Mole previews the FA Cup third-round tie between non-league Wrexham and hosting Stoke, who are 94 places above their opponents in England's football pyramid.

The magic of the FA Cup will be in the air at the Britannia Stadium on Sunday when non-league Wrexham visit Premier League club Stoke City.

Wrexham were scheduled to be playing Gateshead Town in the Conference this weekend, but instead both teams have top-flight FA Cup opposition.

Gateshead will be Tony Pulis's first opponents as West Bromwich Albion boss on Saturday. The Welshman led Stoke to the FA Cup final in 2011.

Mark Hughes is in charge of the Potters these days and has them within touching distance of the top half of the table following a productive festive period.

Seven points from three games, which have included a win at Everton and a draw against Manchester United, leaves Stoke 11th and only a point closer to the relegation zone than they are the Champions League places.

Wrexham, relegated from the Football League after 87 years in 2008, represent far less illustrious foes. They are 94 places below Stoke in the pyramid, and have won just two of their last 10 Conference games.

They were victorious in their last outing, though, as a Jay Harris goal earned them a 1-0 win over Southport on Boxing Day. A well-rested side could be unchanged when they travel to Staffordshire.

Louis Moult, who has 11 goals in 19 starts this season, is the Welsh outfit's main goal threat. Manager Kevin Wilkin spent most of his playing career at Northampton Town and Nuneaton Borough. Opposite number Hughes has Manchester United, Chelsea and Barcelona on his resume.

The decorated former striker, who was born in Wrexham, is likely to shuffle his pack significantly after minimal rotation over the Christmas fixtures.

Asmir Begovic, Ryan Shawcross and Steven N'Zonzi, all of whom have been ever-presents in the Premier League this season, should all be rested, while Bojan's back injury will not be risked.

Peter Odemwingie, Victor Moses and Steve Sidwell are long-term absentees and still missing for the hosts, who could hand starts to Jack Butland, Robert Huth, Wilson Palacios and youngster Olivier Shenton.

Stoke were playing Wrexham in the third tier of English football only 12 years ago, and have won their last six meetings against the visitors in all competitions.

Stoke:

Form in FA Cup: LDDLWL
Form in all competitions: WDLWWD

Possible starting lineup: Butland; Bardsley, Huth, Wilson, Muniesa; Palacios, Shenton; Assaidi, Adam, Walters; Crouch

Wrexham:

Form in FA Cup: WLDWWW
Form in all competitions: DWDWLW

Possible starting lineup: Bachmann; Ashton, Smith, Hudson, Pearson; Carrington, Harris, Evans, Moult; Bishop, Jennings

Sports Mole says: 2-0