Mark Lawrenson takes on singer-songwriter and Sheffield Wednesday fan Richard Hawley to make predictions for the festive Premier League fixtures.

Matt Sandoz
Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

Signing a winger will be Stoke City boss Michael O'Neill's priority in the January transfer window.

Image source, Getty Images

With the Potters still in the bottom three of the Championship, he only has Tom Ince (pictured) and James McClean as recognised wide players in his squad.

Youngster Thibaud Verlinden is set to return from his loan at Bolton in the new year.

BBC Radio Stoke Sport

Who doesn't love a pun at Christmas?

BBC Radio Stoke have been trying to put together a team of footballers with festive-sounding names.

We think there might be a place in that team for Crewe Alexandra's Ryan Wintle-wonderland.

If you can add better suggestions, you can get in touch with us via email,Twitter , externaland Facebook., external

Someone has been poking fun at Stoke City, or maybe letting out their frustrations, by putting the team up for sale on eBay.

The listing reads: "Not suitable for task for which bought, unreliable and unpredictable, job lot of below average footballers, attitudes questionable, work ethic poor, not advisable to use as dog walkers as cannot hold onto a lead."

Image source, Getty Images

The good news is that someone had bid more than £65,000, and the postage is a very reasonable £2.90.

Stoke go into Christmas in the Championship relegation zone after defeat to fellow-strugglers Middlesbrough at the weekend.

Nigel Pearson masterminded one of the great Premier League escapes - can he do the same with Watford? BBC Sport examines the weekend's best stats.

Watford boost their hopes of avoiding relegation with only their second Premier League win this term against a disappointing Manchester United.

Watford manager Nigel Pearson says his side 'very badly' needed their 2-0 win against Manchester United to boost spirits before Christmas.

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admits his side were second best in their 2-0 loss to bottom side Watford.

All the analysis and reaction as Spurs lose Chelsea after Watford beat Manchester United in the Premier League

Middlesbrough fight back to beat Stoke City and move six points clear of the Potters and the Championship drop zone.

Mark Lawrenson takes on Serge from indie rock band Kasabian to make predictions for the latest round of Premier League fixtures - and the final of the Club World Cup.

Stoke City made a pre-tax loss of £15.4m in 2018-19 - the first season after being relegated from the Premier League.

Follow live text commentary and the best social media as Middlesbrough host Stoke City in the Championship.

Stoke City has welcomed a banning order given to a fan for racially abusing a Nottingham Forest goalkeeper.

Carl Mason, 53, of Franklyn Street, Hanley, pleaded guilty to using racially aggravated threatening or abusive words when the teams met at the Bet365 stadium on 27 September.

Image source, Getty Images

Yesterday he was fined £310 at Newcastle-under-Lyme Magistrates' Court and given a three-year banning order.

A spokesperson for Stoke City said, "there’s no place in society for racism" and that it worked "actively alongside the police to bring offenders to justice”.

Nottingham Forest praised Stoke City's action and those of witnesses who came forward and reported the incident.

“Football is for everyone and it is important that clubs and their supporters join together to tackle these issues in our game," a spokesperson said.

A Stoke City football fan has been fined £310 and received a three-year football banning order after he racially abused a goalkeeper.

Image source, Getty Images

Carl Mason, 53, of Franklyn Street, Stoke-on-Trent, admitted using racially aggravated threatening or abusive words or behaviour with intent to cause alarm or distress at Newcastle-under-Lyme Magistrates' Court following the incident at Stoke City stadium on 27 September.

Two witnesses said hearing Mason shout abuse at the Nottingham Forest goalkeeper while watching the game with his son made them "angry".

The Crown Prosecution Service said Mason had agreed what he had said was wrong and hurtful, and said he was ashamed of the racist comment he made.

Prosecutors thanked Stoke supporters who reported the abuse hurled at the Nottingham Forest keeper.

Senegal winger Ismaila Sarr says his countryman Sadio Mané welcomed him into the Premier League.

Mark Lawrenson takes on comedian, author and Chelsea fan David Baddiel to make predictions for the latest round of Premier League fixtures.

Liverpool's 2-0 victory against Watford increases their lead to 10 points at the top of the Premier League table.

Liverpool extend their unbeaten start to the Premier League season as Mohamed Salah's first-half goal secured a 2-0 win over bottom-placed Watford.