The Potters return to Wembley this weekend for the clubs first ever FA Cup final and the chance to win only the second major trophy for the Potters.
Stoke sit 8th in the Premier League and arrive in the final in fantastic form. The visitors are sitting nineteen points ahead of Stoke in the league and are four places higher in the top half of the table but, as we all know, that counts for nothing in the FA Cup.
Stoke have already beaten Cardiff and Wolves away, Brighton and West Ham at home and, comprehensively, Bolton at Wembley to get this far. The Blues have had to beat Leicester and Notts County in home replays before defeating Aston Villa and Reading at Eastlands and finally Manchester United at Wembley to reach the final.
In the 96 matches between these sides, the Potters have won 35, the North West side 40 times and twenty one have been drawn. The two sides have never met on a neutral venue. The last four games have ended 1-1 after 90 minutes, with Stoke going on to win last seasons FA Cup 5th round replay 3-1 after extra time.
The referee is Martin Atkinson. He has produced more yellow cards(138) and red cards(12) than any other top flight referee this season. He reffed Stoke in their 2-0 away defeats at Chelsea and Sunderland, where he sent off Ryan Shawcross, this season and reffed the Potters in last seasons FA Cup win over Arsenal and FA Cup defeat to Chelsea. He has refereed Manchester City twice this season, in their 2-1 home win against Newcastle and 3-0 victory at home to West Brom.
The Met Office report that there will be sunny intervals, temperatures of a mild 16 degrees celsius, very good visibility but a weak 11mph wind.
Prediction: The Potters take ride an early storm with Sorensen needed to produce two or three superb saves before Jones strikes on half time. The Potters contain their opponents after the break and seal the cup with a late solo goal from Walters