Premier League preview - week 5

Crouch (right) scored against Man City last weekend Credit: PA

Chelsea v Stoke

Position:

12th

Form:

DDDD

Odds:

Chelsea 4/11

Draw 19/5

Stoke 15/2

Injuries:

Ness (groin)

Stoke have yet to claim three points in the league since defeating relegated Wolves in April last season.

They did though manage a spirited draw against champions Manchester City last weekend, soaking up the waves of City attacks in the second half.

With Michael Owen working towards match fitness, they are starting to boast a decent array of attacking options to go with the power in the rest of the lineup.

Stoke have not won in London since 1974 in the First Division, and their last win there in any match was in the 1995-96 League Cup. Their record against Chelsea in recent times is not great, failing to score in the last four matches.

Southampton v Aston Villa

Position:

13th

Form:

LLDW

Odds:

Southampton 7/5

Draw 23/10

Aston Villa 15/8

Injuries:

Gardner (ACL), Carruthers (ankle), Dunne (groin), Albrighton (metatarsal)

The Paul Lambert revolution is underway as Villa picked up their first win of the season last weekend with a confident win against Swansea.

Lambert has looked to continue ringing the changes by replacing Darren Bent as captain with summer signing Ron Vlaar. Lambert has said this is in order to allow Bent to concentrate on recapturing his goalscoring form.

The England striker looked decent against Swansea but still seems to be struggling to shake of the rustiness after recovering from an injury which ruled him out of the European Championships.

Villa's win against Swansea was their first in 12 league matches.

Shane Long goes up against his former club on Saturday Credit: PA

*West Brom *v Reading

Position:

6th

Form:

WDWL

Odds:

West Brom 4/5

Draw 5/2

Reading 7/2

Injuries:

Reid (hamstring), Thomas (knee)

Having made a fine start to their campaign, Steve Clarke's men suffered their first defeat of the season after a 3-0 loss to Fulham last weekend.

Their task at home to Reading will be made even harder with striker Peter Odemwingie banned after his sending off.

Shane Long will be up against his former club on Saturday and has said he will not celebrate if he scores.