Stoke City faces Preston North End in a highly anticipated EFL Championship matchup on November 26. The game promises to be competitive.
Both teams desperate for three points to improve their respective standings in the league. Stoke City enters the match in 12th place with 20 points from 16 games, while Preston North End is in 20th place with 16 points from the same number of matches.
This makes for a crucial encounter as both sides are fighting for better league positions—Preston North End to escape relegation, and Stoke City to push toward the upper half of the table.
READ MORE: A Draw in a Balanced Battle Between Stoke City and Queens Park Rangers
Team Form and Recent Encounters
Looking at recent meetings between these two clubs, Stoke City won the most recent match on March 9, 2024, by a score of 2-1. The game was played at Preston’s ground, with Luke Nagy scoring for Stoke and an own goal by Preston’s Andrew Hughes contributing to the win.
Stoke’s victory on that occasion was a memorable one, but the current context is different. Stoke City comes into this fixture following a 1-1 draw against Queen's Park Rangers, a match where the team failed to dominate against the league’s bottom team. This result raised concerns about Stoke’s form and effectiveness in front of goal, a factor that manager Narcís Pelach will need to address before the match against Preston.
Preston North End’s Situation
Meanwhile, Preston North End is also coming off a 1-1 draw, this time against Derby County. The match was tightly contested, with no significant advantage gained by either side. With the league standings so tight, Preston will be desperate for points to avoid relegation. Both teams need a win, making this encounter pivotal for their respective league ambitions.
For Stoke City, this home game presents an opportunity to get back on track and claim a vital victory. The team’s recent inconsistency has raised questions, but the support of the home crowd could provide the boost they need. Under Pelach’s guidance, Stoke will look to refine their attacking play and ensure they secure all three points in this crucial match.