Stoke City face Premier League Hull City in the EFL Cup second round on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at the bet365 Stadium. Manager Mark Robins has selected his starting eleven as the Potters aim to advance and find some form after a difficult opening to their Championship campaign, where they currently sit 24th with zero points from three games. The match details, including confirmed lineups and broadcast information, have been confirmed.
Stoke's early season struggles are stark, with three losses from three league matches leaving them nine points behind leaders Charlton. They have scored just three goals while conceding nine, a -6 goal difference they will be desperate to improve upon. The cup offers a chance for respite, with Stoke having beaten Oldham Athletic 2-0 in the first round. Robins fields a side including Viktor Johansson in goal, a back four of Ben Johnson, Ben Wilmot, Liam Gibson, and Josh Bocat, with Jordan Galbraith and Axel Rigo in midfield. Andrej Bozenik leads the attack, supported by Sam Gallagher, Bae Jun-Ho, and Tyrese Thomas.
Hull City arrive in Staffordshire buoyed by a 2-0 Premier League victory over Manchester United last weekend. Goals from centre-back Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy, who scored in the 38th minute, secured that impressive result. Head coach Sergej Jakirovic is expected to rotate his squad significantly for this cup tie, however, to manage player workload. His selected lineup features Tzolakis in goal, with Lewie Coyle, Ajayi, Mendy, and Ryan Giles in defence. Matt Slater and Matt Crooks anchor the midfield, while Zakaria Belloumi, Henrik Hjerto-Dahl, and Jack Stroud support striker Oli McBurnie.
Supporters in the United Kingdom can watch the game live on television via Sky Sports+. The match can also be streamed online through the Sky Go app or with a NOW Sports Membership. Kickoff is set for 7:45 p.m. BST. For viewers in the United States, CBS Sports holds the exclusive broadcast rights for the competition, and the match will be streamed live on Paramount+. The action begins at 2:45 p.m. ET.
The historical record favors Stoke City ahead of this cup encounter. In previous meetings between the two sides, Stoke have won 16 times. Hull City have been victorious on eight occasions, with seven matches ending in a draw. This cup tie presents a classic clash of a Championship side seeking a scalp against top-flight opposition, with Stoke hoping their historical edge can translate into a much-needed positive result.
Immediately after this cup fixture, Stoke's focus must snap back to their urgent league situation. Their next Championship match is at home to Norwich City on September 1st. Norwich currently sit 16th in the table, making it a vital opportunity for Robins's side to get their first points on the board. The club is also managing a significant injury list, with Aaron Cresswell, Ato Ampah, Junior Tchamadeu, and Lamine Cissé all currently sidelined. Fans can track the team's availability on our injuries page and view the full schedule on our fixtures page as Stoke look to turn their season around.
