Stoke City return to the bet365 Stadium this week to face Bristol City in the Championship, aiming to consolidate their top-six position. The Potters head into the fixture on the back of a 1-0 away victory at Derby County last Friday, secured by a Luke Graham goal.
Their recent form shows four wins from their last five outings, a run that includes victories over Sheffield United, Watford, and Bolton. The only blemish in that sequence was a 3-2 home defeat to Middlesbrough, a game in which Róbert Boženík and an own goal from Neto Borges provided the Stoke strikes. This recent form of four wins and one loss has been key in building their total of 19 points.
Team news and preparation
The team's defensive solidity, conceding 16 goals so far, will be tested against a Robins side looking to move up the standings. With 18 goals scored this season, they hold a positive goal difference of two.
The 1-0 win at Pride Park, where Ethan Galbraith set up Luke Graham's 49th-minute winner, demonstrated the resilience needed for a promotion push. That result kept Stoke within four points of league leaders Swansea City. With 18 goals scored this season, the attack will be expected to fire again at home.
The challenge ahead
Bristol City's visit represents another opportunity for Stoke to gather momentum. The Championship table remains tightly packed, and three points are vital to stay in the playoff positions.
Focus now shifts entirely to Friday's match. The fixture against Bristol City at the bet365 Stadium kicks off at 7:45 PM on Saturday 24 October.
