Mark Hughes' men are without a win in seven Premier League outings, while Swansea City have just one victory from their last five top-flight fixtures, including an agonising 1-0 defeat at the hands of fierce rivals Cardiff City last Sunday.
Southampton held Stoke to a 1-1 draw last time out after a bizarre goal by keeper Asmir Begovic had put Hughes' side ahead in the opening seconds, leaving the Britannia Stadium club just one place above the relegation zone.
Despite Swansea's faltering form of late, they are only one point worse off than at this stage a year ago - 13th on 11 points - but come into this clash on the back of a disappointing 1-1 draw with Kuban Krasnodar in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday.
Michel Vorm (suspended) and Michu (ankle) are certain to be hugely missed in the Swansea starting XI, though Laudrup will have full confidence in the abilities of back-up stopper Gerhard Tremmel, who kept goal for the entirety of his side's successful League Cup campaign last season.
Stoke have found the net just seven times in their 10 Premier League outings, with their troubles in front of goal highlighted by the fact Begovic's freak opener against Southampton made him the club's joint top scorer this season.
