Stoke are not a club that deals too much in the romance of the FA Cup and if Brighton are to reach the sixth round for the first time since 1986, they will have earned it. Knocked out in the sixth round last season, Tony Pulis will make minor alterations to Stoke's usual formation, aside from honouring a promise to play Thomas Sorensen in goal in cup games. Brighton, who have lost their last seven fixtures against Stoke, can console themselves with the thought that their best displays in this season's FA Cup have been away from the Withdean. Tim Rich
Venue Britannia Stadium, Saturday 3pm
Tickets £15 (0871 663 2007)
Previous meetings Stoke wins 15 Brighton wins 9 Draws 14
Referee H Webb
This season's league matches 29 Y89, R3, 3.28 cards per game
Odds Stoke 7-10 Brighton 9-2 Draw 3-1
Stoke
Subs from Begovic, Nash, Whitehead, Collins, Jones, Whelan, Pennant, Shawcross, Shotton, Wilson
Doubtful Etherington (hamstring)
Injured Sidibe (achilles, Aug)
Suspended None
Form guide (all comps) LWLWLW
Disciplinary record Y54 R2
Leading scorers Huth, Jones 7
Brighton
Subs from Ankergren, Poke, Battipiedi, Taricco, Sandaza, Holroyd, El-Abd, Bennett, Baz, Cook, Dunk
Doubtful None
Injured McNulty (ankle, Apr), Navarro (knee, May), Smith (foot, May), Kishishev (personal, unknown)
Ineligible Noone (Cup-tied)
Suspended None
Form guide (all comps) WWDWWL
Disciplinary record Y58 R5
Leading scorer Murray 14
Match pointers
• A win for Brighton would be their third in succession against opponents from a higher division
• Reaching the last eight in 2009-10 was Stoke's best performance for 38 years
• Brighton have lost only one of their last 11 FA Cup games – 3-2 to Aston Villa in the fourth round last season
• Stoke have lost only one of their last 13 FA Cup matches against opponents from a lower division
• Brighton have not won at Stoke since they met in the old Second Division in September 1961 – a run of 15 matches
