Stoke vs Preston prediction, lineups and betting odds: team news, bet builder ideas and standout markets for this Championship clash ahead of kick-off.
Stoke vs Preston Match Summary
Competition | English Championship |
|---|---|
Match Date | Saturday 31 October 2026 |
Match Time | 12:30 UK time |
Venue (City, Stadium) | bet365 Stadium |
Broadcast (TV / Streaming / Radio / Bookmaker Streaming) | Sky Sports Football |
Stoke vs Preston is the Potters' annual Remembrance fixture at the bet365 Stadium, with a top-half Championship side hosting the team propping up the table.
Stoke sit 9th and arrive in decent nick, having won four of their last six league matches. Few sides in the division are playing better football right now.
Preston are bottom, six points adrift of safety and still waiting for a first win under Graham Alexander. A 1-1 draw with West Brom at Deepdale was gritty but changed little.
History is the awkward bit for Stoke. Preston are undefeated in their last 8 away matches against Stoke in all competitions, which complicates any Stoke vs Preston prediction.
Stoke vs Preston Form
Stoke have lost just one of their last nine league matches and rank among the division's form sides. Ethan Galbraith runs the engine room, with assists in three of his previous five Championship outings. The approach is direct: plenty of crosses, through balls and long shots, with an aggressive edge off the ball.
Preston have failed to win their last 7 matches in the Championship, and they are bottom of the division on form as well as in the table. Johnny Kenny at least gives them a focal point, attempting 3+ shots in every one of his past five Championship games. The problem is finishing, which remains their glaring weakness.
Stoke vs Preston Lineups & Team News
Injuries & Suspensions
Stoke: Eric Bocat (Injured/out), Sam Gallagher (Injured/out), Lamine Cissé (Injured/doubtful), Svante Ingelsson (Injured/out), Aaron Cresswell (Injured/out), Ato Ampah (Injured/out)
Preston: Lewis Gibson (Injured/out), Harry Clarke (Injured/out), Liam Gibbs (Injured/out), Liam Lindsay (Injured/doubtful), Ali McCann (Injured/out)
Stoke
Eric Bocat's injury kept him out last time, and Million Manhoef missed that game through a family bereavement, with his return here still unclear. Lamine Cissé will be checked after picking up an issue last weekend. As for the Stoke vs Preston lineups, the probable XI is a 3-4-2-1 with George Hirst leading the line.
Preston
Jordan Thompson is available again after serving a one-match suspension. Lewis Gibson has undergone a procedure on a hernia, while Alfie Devine is struggling with a fitness issue and Liam Lindsay is a doubt. Preston are also expected to line up in a 3-4-2-1, with Kenny up top.
Stoke vs Preston Predicted Lineup
Stoke
Formation: 3-4-2-1 (probable)
Predicted Starting Lineup: Viktor Johansson; Luke Graham, Bosun Lawal, Ben Wilmot; Luca Bombino, Ethan Galbraith, Djibril Soumaré, Ben Johnson; Justin Devenny, Jack McGlynn; George Hirst (probable)
Preston
Formation: 3-4-2-1 (probable)
Predicted Starting Lineup: Daniel Iversen; Andrew Hughes, Jordan Storey, Odeluga Offiah; Andrija Vukčević, Léo Leroy, Brad Potts, Stanley Mills; Delano Burgzorg, Andrew Moran; Johnny Kenny (probable)
Stoke vs Preston Key Stats & Match Facts
Stoke have had 8+ corners in 4 of their last 4 Championship matches against Preston.
Preston have received 2+ cards in 7 of their last 7 Championship matches against Stoke.
Stoke have had 14+ shots in 7 out of 10 Championship matches against Preston.
Andrew Moran has assisted in 2 of his last 3 Championship appearances against Stoke.
Andrew Hughes has made 3+ tackles in 3 of his last 4 Championship appearances against Stoke.
Stoke vs Preston Prediction & Best Bets
Our prediction: Stoke 2-0 Preston. The hosts have the form, the home crowd and the stronger side on paper, while Preston simply do not put their openings away. Stoke are 4/5 with 10Bet, and for a top-half side hosting the division's worst form team, that price looks about right.
Best Bets
Both Teams To Score: No. Preston have kept a clean sheet in 7 of their last 8 away games at Stoke. Our Stoke vs Preston best bets start here, because Preston are bottom of the form table and finishing is their biggest flaw, so it is hard to see where their goal comes from. The projections put both teams scoring below 50%, and the value scans flag No as the standout across bookmakers.
Stoke/Under 2.5: a Stoke win with fewer than three goals in the match, in the Match Result and Over/Under 2.5 market. This backs Stoke as favourites while leaning into a stubborn pattern, with under 2.5 goals in 7 of Stoke's last 8 home matches against Preston in all competitions. Our 2-0 call sits squarely inside it.
Stoke vs Preston Bet Builder
Our Stoke vs Preston bet builder tips combine Johnny Kenny shots, a Maksym Talovierov card, Stanley Mills fouls and Stoke to score at least twice at home.
Johnny Kenny Over 2.5 Player Shots: Kenny has attempted 4+ shots in three of his five most recent Championship matches, so clearing this line is hardly a stretch for Preston's main outlet.
Maksym Talovierov To Be Shown A Card: he has seen a card in two of his three latest Championship games, and with both sides playing an aggressive game, this fixture can get messy.
Stanley Mills Over 1.5 Player Fouls: Mills has committed 2+ fouls every time out across his latest four Championship outings, and Stoke's crossing game should keep him busy defending.
Stoke Over 1.5 Total Home Goals: Stoke have scored 2+ goals in 4 of their last 6 Championship matches, which fits neatly with our call of a home win by two.
At the time of writing, this bet builder pays a best price of 18/1 and is as short as 44/5 elsewhere.
Make sure to get the best odds on your Bet Builder with Oddschecker's Exclusive Bet Builder Comparison Tool.
Bet builder odds correct at time of publishing.
Stoke vs Preston Talking Points
Mark Robins reaches his 100th competitive match in charge of Stoke, and beating the bottom side at home would be a tidy way to mark it. Graham Alexander, back at the club where he made over 400 appearances as a player, has called this a "brilliant opportunity" to build momentum after the West Brom draw. Brave words, but the Stoke vs Preston betting odds tell a different story, and so does the table.
Stoke vs Preston Predictions FAQs
When is Stoke vs Preston?
Stoke vs Preston kicks off on Saturday 31 October 2026 at 12:30 UK time.
Where is Stoke vs Preston being played?
Stoke vs Preston is being played at the bet365 Stadium.
Where can I watch Stoke vs Preston?
Stoke vs Preston is being shown on Sky Sports Football.
What competition is Stoke vs Preston in?
Stoke vs Preston is an English Championship fixture.
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