Everything you need to know about Stoke City v Sheffield Wednesday

Garry Monk's side currently occupy third spot after an impressive six-match unbeaten run.

Here is everything you need to know ahead of the Owls' trip to bottom-of-the-table Stoke.

Possible teams:

Stoke City (4-4-2): Jack Butland; Tommy Smith, Danny Batth, Liam Lindsay, Stephen Ward; Tom Ince, Joe Allen, Jordan Cousins, Sam Clucas; Sam Vokes, Lee Gregory.

Owls (4-4-2): Cameron Dawson; Liam Palmer, Tom Lees, Dominic Iorfa, Morgan Fox; Adam Reach, Barry Bannan, Sam Hutchinson, Kadeem Harris; Steven Fletcher, Jordan Rhodes.Referee: John Brooks

The Leicestershire-based official has dished out 52 cautions and zero red cards in his 17 matches this season. Brooks has already taken charge of an Owls fixture in the 2019/20 campaign - he issued yellow cards to Julian Borner, Dominic Iorfa, Barry Bannan and Fernando Forestieri in their 2-1 home defeat to Queens Park Rangers at the end of August.

Brooks will be assisted at Stoke by Sam Lewis and Mark Dwyer. Darren Handley has been appointed as the fourth official.History lesson:

Wednesday have not lost in their last seven league meetings to Stoke, including a 2-1 Boxing Day victory at the bet365 Stadium in 2006. They hold the upperhand in the head-to-head record, winning 38 of the 93 clashes in all competitions.

Stoke are winless in seven league games against the Owls (D4 L3) since a victory back in November 2005.

In the reverse fixture earlier this term, Wednesday edged a tight affair after a first half strike by Massimo Luongo.One to watch

Joe Allen is the heartbeat of Stoke's midfield. The Wales international is an energetic, hard-working player but he is also neat and tidy on the ball.

Allen, formerly of Liverpool, has added goals to his game since the appointment of Michael O'Neill, scoring three times in crucial wins over relegation rivals Barnsley and Luton Town. His industry, tenacity and experience will be vitally important in the Potters battle for survival.