On the other hand, Slaven Bilic's West Ham, currently placed 14th, could revive their own top-half finish hopes and leapfrog Stoke with a victory at the bet365 Stadium this weekend.
"It's vital because not only do we have to put our last result right, we are playing a team that is around us in the table," Shawcross told the club website.
"If we can take three points off West Ham and push ourselves up the table then we put ourselves in good stead in the remaining games of the season.
"It could prove to be three points that sees us end in the top 10, which is what we're all desperate for."
Stoke have picked up just four points in their last seven league games.
(Reporting by Hardik Vyas in Bengaluru; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
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