Stoke Vs Preston

Stoke City, currently sitting mid-table, will welcome struggling Preston North End for a crucial Championship clash on Tuesday evening, marking matchday 17 of the 2024-25 season. The two sides are in contrasting positions, with Stoke occupying 12th place in the standings, while Preston find themselves dangerously close to the relegation zone in 20th.

Stoke, with 20 points from their opening 16 matches, will be looking to continue their steady form and build a gap between themselves and the relegation-threatened sides. In contrast, Preston, with just 16 points from the same number of games, will be desperate for points as they aim to climb away from the bottom three and avoid another season battling relegation.

Stoke City's Recent Form and Season Overview

Since their relegation from the Premier League in the 2017-18 season, Stoke City have struggled to find their feet in the Championship, experiencing a series of mid-table finishes. Over the past six seasons, the Potters have fluctuated between the lower and middle tiers of the table. Their league finishes have included 16th place in 2018-19, 15th place in 2019-20, and 14th in both the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons. The 2022-23 season saw them finish in 16th again, while last season, in 2023-24, they secured a 17th-place finish.

Last season was particularly worrying for the Potters, as they narrowly avoided relegation, finishing just six points above the relegation zone. With Birmingham City in 22nd place, Stoke were able to stay afloat, but their position highlighted how precarious their situation had become. Going into the current campaign, the club's aim was clear: to distance themselves further from the relegation scrap and establish themselves as a consistent mid-table side, if not make a push for a playoff spot.

The Potters have had a somewhat mixed start to the 2024-25 season. With five wins, five draws, and six losses, they have not been able to produce a consistent run of form but have managed to stay competitive. With 20 points from 16 games, they are currently in 12th place, sitting five points clear of the drop zone and six points behind the playoff spots. While not in immediate danger of relegation, Stoke will be looking to build on their recent performances and edge closer to the top half of the table.

One of the highlights of their recent form has been their unbeaten run, which includes victories over Derby County (2-1) and Blackburn Rovers (2-0). Their most recent outings have been a mixed bag, with 1-1 draws against both Millwall and Queens Park Rangers. The Potters’ form suggests they are capable of going on a run of good results, but they need to find consistency to break into the top half.

Stoke's manager, Narcis Pelach, who took over in September 2024 after the departure of Steven Schumacher, will be hoping to continue the team’s unbeaten streak and get a much-needed victory against Preston. Pelach's appointment followed a difficult start to the season, where Stoke had endured inconsistency under Schumacher. Now under new leadership, Stoke will look to take advantage of their home fixtures and build some momentum.

However, history has not been kind to Stoke in recent years when facing Preston at the Bet365 Stadium. In their last seven meetings at home, Stoke have failed to beat Preston, a stat Pelach and his team will be determined to change on Tuesday night. The Potters will need to play with urgency and quality to ensure they can extend their unbeaten run and pick up three points in front of their home supporters.

Preston North End's Struggles and Season Outlook

Preston North End’s current situation is one of concern, as they sit just a point above the relegation zone in 20th place with only 16 points from their 16 matches. With three wins, seven draws, and six losses, their form has been highly disappointing, especially considering the promising position they were in at the start of the previous campaign.

Preston’s 2023-24 season ended in catastrophic fashion. After spending a significant portion of the season in playoff contention, they faltered badly in their final five matches, losing all of them by a combined score of 11-0. This collapse saw them drop from playoff contention to a 10th-place finish, 10 points adrift of the top six. The contrast between their strong early form and their disastrous end to the season has left fans and pundits questioning the club’s consistency and ability to compete at the top end of the table.

Unfortunately for Preston, the struggles have continued into the current campaign. With only three wins in their first 10 league games, the team has been unable to generate enough positive results to climb up the table. Their form has worsened in recent weeks, and they now enter this fixture without a victory in their last six Championship matches, having drawn four and lost two. Their recent performances suggest a lack of confidence, and the team will be desperate for a change in fortunes to avoid being dragged further into the relegation fight.

The team’s inability to convert draws into wins has been a key issue for manager Paul Heckingbottom. While the side has managed to remain unbeaten in several matches, they have failed to capitalize on these draws by securing vital three-point hauls. This has left them in the relegation battle, where each point is crucial. Heckingbottom will be looking for a performance that can end the club’s winless streak and begin to create some distance from the bottom three.

The upcoming match against Stoke City will be a pivotal one for Preston. They will need to find a way to break their seven-match winless streak away from home and improve their form if they are to start climbing the table. With a poor record in recent years at the Bet365 Stadium, Preston’s task will be a difficult one, but with the right mentality and a tactical shift, they may be able to pull off an upset.

Key Players and Tactical Considerations

For Stoke, much of their attacking threat will come through their forward line, led by Tom Cannon, who has been one of the standout players this season. Cannon’s pace and finishing ability will be key to breaking down Preston’s defense and providing the clinical edge that Stoke has lacked in previous years. Additionally, the midfield will be crucial in dictating the tempo of the game, with the likes of Josh Laurent and Dwight Gayle providing the necessary creativity and composure to control possession and create goal-scoring opportunities.

In terms of defensive solidity, Stoke will need to ensure that their backline remains organized, especially given Preston's occasional ability to counterattack and create dangerous situations. The defensive unit, led by captain Ben Wilmot, will have to remain disciplined and avoid any lapses in concentration that could allow Preston to capitalize on set-pieces or quick transitions.

For Preston, much will depend on their ability to show resilience and determination. In their recent matches, they have struggled to convert chances into goals, and this will be an area they need to improve if they are to have any hope of staying competitive in this fixture. One player to watch is striker Emil Riis, who has the potential to be a game-changer on the break, using his pace to exploit any gaps in Stoke’s defense.

Additionally, Preston will need a solid performance from their midfield to disrupt Stoke’s flow and create chances for their attackers. The likes of Alan Browne and Ben Whiteman will need to provide the industry and vision to take the game to Stoke and ensure their team stays in the contest.

Conclusion

The upcoming Championship clash between Stoke City and Preston North End is set to be a crucial encounter for both teams as they aim to achieve their respective season objectives. While Stoke will be looking to continue their positive run of form and distance themselves from the relegation zone, Preston will be desperate for points to avoid being sucked into the relegation battle.

With Stoke enjoying home advantage, they will be favorites to win, but their recent record against Preston at the Bet365 Stadium adds an intriguing dynamic to the match. For Preston, this is a must-win game if they are to avoid falling deeper into trouble. Both teams will need to bring their best to this encounter, and the result could have significant implications for their seasons as they continue their campaigns in the 2024-25 Championship.