Stoke defender Philipp Wollschied tries to stop the bulldozer that is Benik Afobe and he trips the Bournemouth striker.

Afobe stumbles, makes two or three steps before falling on the edge of the area. There's appeals for a foul but Graham Scott waves them away.

Quick corner from Bournemouth and Charlie Daniels flicks in a swirling ball and Stoke goalkeeper has to stretch to tap it away from danger.

Not sure Daniels meant it, but it was close. 

Bournemouth's Marc Pugh brings down Xherdan Shaqiri and concedes a free-kick on his way to a booking.

The set-piece is whipped in by Shaqiri and Mame Diouf can only send his attempt towards goalkeeper Artur Boruc.

But Shaqiri has a go again, this time from 25-yards out, and he drags his shot just wide.

All Stoke at the moment. 

Stoke's pacy winger Xherdan Shaqiri runs straight into Charlie Daniels, and the Bournemouth full-back goes on the march straight down the other end. 

Daniels tries to find Benik Afobe but fails, and Stoke go on the charge again.

Jon Walters has another go at goal and Cherries keeper Artur Boruc saves.

Glenn Whelan gives the ball away in the middle of the park and Charlie Daniels tries to capitalise on his mistake, but the Bournemouth defender can't stop it from rolling out of play.

Image source, PA

"Come on, Bournemouth," scream the home fans.

Three corners in quick succession, and the big Cherries defenders are up, but Stoke clear and break forward.

Jon Walters has a go from the left wing but his shot is stopped by home goalkeeper Artur Boruc.  

Bournemouth's Marc Pugh has a little nudge on Stoke defender Glen Johnson and a free-kick is given. 

Xherdan Shaqiri whips it in from the right but it goes out for a goal kick. 

Xherdan Shaqiri has a go from distance with his left peg and Cherries goalkeeper Artur Boruc is forced to parry the shot away.

The home fans try and rally behind the Bournemouth players. They're not up to much so far.

Stoke striker Mame Diouf is booked for a tackle on Cherries defender Adam Smith.

Not his first offence of the game....

Image source, Getty Images

Jon Walters with a stinging right-footed volley but it hits the side netting. 

Stoke looking good on the attack. 

A vigorous tackle from Bournemouth defender Simon Francis denies an on-rushing Mame Diouf on the edge of the box.

First corner of the game from Xherden Shaqiri, but it comes to nothing for Stoke. 

Before Giannelli Imbula's opener, Stoke hadn't scored for a month. 

And bar the goal, they've not done much here.

But Bournemouth have yet to settle, either.

Chris Sutton
Former Chelsea & Norwich striker on Final Score

"It was wonderful technique, a left-foot volley and a tremendous start for Stoke who haven’t been scoring goals of late."

Stoke have conceded four free-kicks already, and we're only six minutes in.

Looks like we have a physical battle on the cards.

Image source, Getty Images

Andy Surman makes a dash forward and feeds through to Bournemouth's lone striker Benik Afobe, but the former Wolves man is dispossessed by Erik Pieters on the edge of the box.

Afobe has scored three times in his first five games for the Cherries. Not a bad January signing, that. 

Early free-kick conceded by Stoke defender Erik Pieters. 

Bournemouth press forward and Charlie Daniels tries to send an in-swinging ball across from the left, but it goes way over and into the crowd. 

Group huddles done. 

Referee Graham Scott gets us under way. 

Jonathan Pearce
Match of the Day commentator

"This is an opportunity Bournemouth must grasp. A victory could take them eight points clear of the relegation positions and within three wins of the 40-point traditional safety mark.

"Stoke are on the brink of their worst league run in four years. They're suffering their worst top-flight scoring drought in 31 years. The Cherries have to take advantage.

"Mark Hughes simply won't allow Stoke's season to peter out after their double cup knockout blow last month. But without Ryan Shawcross, external they lack defensive cohesion.

"With Benik Afobe looking dangerous after his January move, I can see a lively Bournemouth start and a home victory."

The players are moseying out onto the pitch at a chilly-looking Vitality Stadium.

Bournemouth are sporting their home strip of red and black stripes. 

Stoke, meanwhile, are wearing an apparently one-off third strip, which is a glossy white number.