Stoke Vs Portsmouth

Stoke City will be looking to turn their fortunes around when they face Portsmouth at the bet365 Stadium on Wednesday. After a series of disappointing performances, the Potters are desperate to halt their run of three consecutive defeats in the Championship. This fixture presents an opportunity for them to regain some momentum, but it won’t come easy as Portsmouth, though struggling, will be equally determined to secure their first win of the season.

Stoke’s Struggles and Managerial Changes

Stoke City have already undergone significant changes early in the 2024-25 season. After a rocky start under former manager Steven Schumacher, the club made the bold decision to part ways with him. Schumacher, who took over from Alex Neil at the end of last season, saw his reign come to an abrupt end following a narrow 1-0 loss to Oxford United in mid-September. The former Plymouth Argyle manager had entered the season with mixed results, managing two wins and three defeats in the first five league matches. His overall record at Stoke stood at 13 wins, six draws, and 13 losses from 32 competitive fixtures, which wasn't enough to convince the Stoke hierarchy that he was the man to lead them forward.

The decision to replace Schumacher reflected Stoke’s ambition to remain competitive in the Championship, particularly after enduring a difficult 2023-24 campaign in which they finished mid-table. His successor, Narcís Pèlach, arrived with the hope of rejuvenating the team. Pèlach left his role as a coach at Norwich City to take on his first permanent managerial position. However, the Catalan tactician has had a tough introduction to life in the Championship, overseeing back-to-back defeats since his appointment. His first game in charge saw Stoke fall to a 3-1 defeat against Hull City, followed by a 2-0 loss away to Middlesbrough.

Pèlach’s arrival has not immediately sparked a turnaround, and Stoke’s poor run of form has left them teetering just one point above the relegation zone, sitting in 20th place. What’s more concerning for the Potters is their lack of goals. They’ve only managed to find the net four times this season, making them the joint-second lowest scorers in the division. If they are to pull themselves out of their current predicament, solving their attacking woes will be a top priority.

Portsmouth’s Championship Return Marred by Winless Start

Portsmouth, freshly promoted from League One, have also endured a challenging start to life back in the Championship. Despite their success last season when they clinched the League One title, Pompey have struggled to find their feet in the second tier. They are yet to win a league game this season, having only managed four points from their opening seven matches. While Portsmouth were expected to face a learning curve upon their return to the Championship, their inability to secure a victory thus far has left them mired in the relegation battle.

John Mousinho, who guided Pompey to their League One triumph last season, remains hopeful that his side can adapt quickly to the demands of the Championship. Portsmouth began their campaign with three consecutive draws, which suggested that they could compete at this level. However, those draws were followed by a trio of defeats at the hands of Sunderland, West Bromwich Albion, and Burnley, which sent them tumbling down the table.

The recent 0-0 draw at home against Sheffield United, a team recently relegated from the Premier League, will offer some hope to Pompey supporters. While they couldn’t muster a win, the draw at least halted their losing streak. It was also significant in that it marked their second clean sheet of the season, following a defensive slump in which they conceded at least two goals in each of the four matches leading up to the game against Sheffield United. However, despite their defensive improvements, Portsmouth remain in 23rd place, just one point away from safety.

Key Tactical Battles

As both teams struggle at opposite ends of the pitch, Wednesday’s match could be determined by who manages to break free from their respective problems. For Stoke, the primary challenge lies in finding a way to consistently score goals. Their current tally of four goals from seven matches is not enough for a team with aspirations of climbing the table. A misfiring attack has often left them vulnerable, and they’ll need to be more clinical in front of goal if they are to stop the rot.

Pèlach may look to forward Tyrese Campbell, who was Stoke’s top scorer last season, to rediscover his scoring touch. The young striker has the potential to lead the line effectively, but he will need better service from midfield if he is to make a significant impact. The midfield partnership of Ben Pearson and Daniel Johnson will be crucial in providing that support, and they’ll need to step up their performances to help Stoke create more chances.

Defensively, Stoke have looked shaky, having conceded 12 goals in their seven matches. Given their lack of attacking output, tightening up at the back will be equally important. Goalkeeper Mark Travers has been kept busy in recent weeks, and while he has made some important saves, the backline, led by captain Ben Wilmot, will need to be more organized to prevent conceding cheap goals.

Portsmouth, on the other hand, have been struggling to convert their possession and build-up play into meaningful chances. While they’ve shown resilience at the back, particularly in their goalless draw against Sheffield United, their attacking play has left much to be desired. Like Stoke, Portsmouth are among the lowest-scoring teams in the division, with only five goals to their name.

Mousinho will be hoping for more creativity from his attacking players, with the likes of Marlon Pack and Gavin Whyte needing to step up their contributions in the final third. The partnership between forwards Colby Bishop and Kusini Yengi could be key to unlocking Stoke’s defense. Bishop, in particular, was prolific in League One last season and will be hoping to get back among the goals to help Pompey climb out of the relegation zone.

Recent Head-to-Head Record

The upcoming clash between Stoke City and Portsmouth will be their first meeting in over a decade. The two sides last faced each other in August 2014, when Stoke came away with a 3-0 victory in the EFL Cup. However, it is Portsmouth who hold the bragging rights in cup competitions, having thrashed Stoke 4-0 in an EFL Cup tie back in October 2009.

In terms of league meetings, the last time these two sides clashed in the Championship was during the 2011-12 season, when both were competing at opposite ends of the table. Since then, their fortunes have diverged, with Stoke spending much of the 2010s in the Premier League, while Portsmouth endured a period of decline that saw them drop down to League Two before eventually clawing their way back to the Championship.

The head-to-head record between the two sides is relatively even, but Stoke’s recent dominance, with three consecutive wins over Pompey, will give them confidence heading into this encounter. On the other hand, Portsmouth’s last league win over Stoke came all the way back in April 2009, and they will be eager to end that barren run on Wednesday.

Stakes and Predictions

With both teams struggling near the bottom of the table, this fixture takes on added importance for both managers. A win for Stoke would give Narcís Pèlach his first victory as a manager and provide a much-needed boost to his team’s morale. A defeat, however, would further exacerbate the club’s precarious position and increase the pressure on the new boss. The same applies to Portsmouth, as John Mousinho is in desperate need of three points to lift his side out of the relegation zone and gain some breathing room in their fight for survival.

Given the similar struggles of both teams, Wednesday’s encounter could be a tense and scrappy affair. It may ultimately come down to which side can make the most of their limited chances in front of goal. A low-scoring draw is a likely outcome, but either team could snatch a narrow victory if their forwards manage to find their shooting boots.

Whatever the result, the match between Stoke and Portsmouth is set to be a pivotal moment in both teams’ seasons. With both clubs eager to move away from the relegation zone, a win could mark the beginning of a revival, while a loss would only deepen the crisis for whichever side comes up short.