An Important Preview as Stoke City Faces Derby County

Stoke City and Derby County bring an enticing history into this matchup, with several notable encounters over the years in the EFL Championship and the FA Cup. The two clubs last faced each other in the 2021 season, making this their first meeting in several years.

Both teams are eager to secure a victory to improve their standings in the EFL Championship, as Stoke City currently sits in 19th position, while Derby County occupies the 12th spot. Stoke manager Narcís Pelach has been heavily focused on preparing the squad for this crucial encounter, knowing both teams are aiming to compete strongly in the Championship.

READ MORE: Narcis Pelach's performance under scrutiny at Stoke City

A Positive History for Derby County Against Stoke City

Interestingly, Derby County holds a slight edge over Stoke City in their recent head-to-head record. Over their last eight encounters in the EFL Championship, Derby has claimed three wins, Stoke City has won twice, and three matches have ended in draws. This favorable record reflects Derby’s upper hand in recent years. The last time they met was on December 30, 2021, when Derby County defeated Stoke 2-1 in the Championship, with Michael O'Neill managing Stoke and Wayne Rooney at the helm for Derby.

Since then, much has changed for both clubs, with Stoke City experiencing multiple managerial changes and inconsistent results. Stoke’s fans are hopeful that under Narcís Pelach, the team can finally turn things around, as they currently endure a five-game winless streak, which has raised concerns. On the other hand, Derby County’s recent form has been somewhat mixed but still more positive, with three draws, one win, and one loss in their last five games.

The last time these two sides met in the FA Cup, Stoke City emerged victorious, defeating Derby County on January 28, 2012, in a thrilling contest. Stoke hopes to recreate that victory as they seek to revive their fortunes in this upcoming clash.