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Stoke City vs. Watford: Team News and Prediction

By Jeff Brantley

STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - AUGUST 31: Matthew Sorinola of Swansea City is tackled by Dwight Gayle of Stoke City during the Sky Bet Championship between Stoke City and Swansea City at Bet365 Stadium on August 31, 2022 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - AUGUST 31: Matthew Sorinola of Swansea City is tackled by Dwight Gayle of Stoke City during the Sky Bet Championship between Stoke City and Swansea City at Bet365 Stadium on August 31, 2022 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images) /
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At last, Stoke City are back this Sunday after the international break! This match on Sunday will come at home against Watford who sit at 10th on the table with 14 points. A statement win for Stoke City could put the club within earshot of themselves being in a top-ten position.

Stoke City at the moment sit at 14th on the table with 12 points. The Championship table remains jam-packed, though early in the season. Only 5 points separate 22nd on the table to 5th on the table.

Stoke City went into the break on a high note, after taking four of the possible six points in their last two matches. One was a win against Hull City 3-0 and the other a scoreless draw against QPR.

Watford come into Sunday much different than Stoke City as the club has some big questions. The biggest one is how their manager change during the break will impact them. Especially on a short week before facing Stoke City on the road.

New Watford manager Slaven Bilić is 1-3-2 when managing against Stoke City. Potters’ boss Alex Neil is 2-0-3 in his managing career against Watford. Stoke City overall are 2-1-2 in their last five against Watford.

Stoke City Team News

At Friday’s Watford presser, Potters’ manager Alex Neil was vague yet again as to who will be available for Stoke City on Sunday. When asked about how forward Jacob Brown is doing with his injury, Neil replied with, “okay”.

Neil would go on to say that midfielder Jordan Thompson was pulled from Northern Ireland’s match over the break for concussion protocols. His status will be dependent on if he can clear protocol in time.

Goalkeeper Josef Bursik could also be in question for Sunday’s game due to personal reasons. Per Neil, Bursik’s dad passed away over the break.

Bursik was given some time away from the team with his family at the end of the international break. Neil went on to say that Bursik has been back out on the field recently this week.

How will Stoke City line up against Watford?

Stoke City Predicted Formation:

Until further evidence that Alex Neil is willing to play with a back four, there’s little reason to think there will be any change to formation this weekend. Stoke City will most likely line up in a 3-5-2 formation in possession and a 5-3-2 out of possession.

Starting XI Prediction:

Bursik – Tymon – Fox – Flint – Wilmot – Fosu-Henry – Smallbone – Baker – Thompson – Delap – Gayle.

Bursik and Thompson may not end up not being available on matchday – Bursik of course for family reasons and Thompson for concussion protocol. If both are available though, they should start.

The toughest decision for Alex Neil will be what he does at right wing-back and one of his center-forward positions. Without much insight into if Brown can play or not, we’ll say Tariqe Fosu-Henry gets the start at right wing-back. Fosu-Henry normally plays on the left side but given injuries and Dujon Sterling seemingly not being ready yet, it may be a good choice for Neil.

At center-forward, Gayle is a shoo-in to start every game when healthy and fit. On the other side, given Liam Delap’s recent form, no one could blame Neil for starting Tyrese Campbell. At least for this game though, Neil sticks with Delap up front.

Prediction for Stoke City vs Watford:

This is a tough game to predict. Mostly because of the unknowns with Watford’s manager change. Does Watford come out more conservative on the road or aggressive? Do they switch formations? Do they make any wholesale changes to their starting XI?

We’ll know more answers to those questions come Sunday. For now, given Stoke City’s recent form, Watford’s possible changes on a short week, and this being a home match, we’ll predict Stoke City will come away with all three points.

The key for Stoke City defensively will be to limit the impact Watford forward’s João Pedro and Ismaïla Sarr have on the game. Watford have other key individuals as well, but Pedro and Sarr are the two plays you can’t let burn you. That includes the counterattack.

If Watford sink in more defensively on Sunday allowing Stoke City to control the majority of possession, The Potters will have to be extra cautious not to let the speed of both players torch them going back on the counterattack.

Offensively for Stoke City, it will be about being crisp out of the gate with passing and finding that final finishing touch in their attacking third of the pitch. That could come in the form of Josh Tymon down the left side and Dwight Gayle finally breaking his goalless curse he’s had in recent weeks.

Final Prediction: Stoke City walk away with a 2-0 or 1-0 victory on Sunday versus Watford.