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Stoke City are in for a strong start to 2025 with this January schedule

• Stoke City begins 2025 with a packed and challenging schedule, featuring six matches in January.
• Five games will be in the EFL Championship, while one marks their FA Cup debut against Sunderland.
• Interim coach Ryan Shawcross faces a critical month as the team looks to climb away from the relegation zone.

ByOscar Cortes|
Stoke City are in for a strong start to 2025 with this January schedule
Stoke City are in for a strong start to 2025 with this January schedule | Nathan Stirk/GettyImages

Stoke City is preparing for a demanding start to 2025, with six crucial fixtures scheduled in January.

The Potters aim to build momentum in the second half of the season after a difficult December, where their only win came late in the month against Sunderland.

The team remains under the interim management of Ryan Shawcross following the dismissal of Narcís Pèlach, and January will be pivotal in shaping their season’s trajectory.

READ MORE: Stoke City 1-0 Sunderland: Vital win ends winless run

The January Fixtures

  1. January 1 – Burnley (Away): A tough opener against the third-placed team in the EFL Championship. Stoke City needs points to move further away from the relegation zone.
  2. January 4 – Plymouth Argyle (Home): A home fixture against mid-table opposition, offering a vital opportunity to secure three points.
  3. January 11 – Sunderland (Away): The FA Cup debut for Stoke City against a strong Championship side they narrowly defeated last month.
  4. January 18 – West Brom Albion (Away): Another challenging away game against a top-half side.
  5. January 22 – Portsmouth (Away): A critical match against a lower-ranked opponent where Stoke must capitalize.
  6. January 25 – Oxford United (Home): The final game of the month offers a chance for Stoke to end January on a high in front of their fans.

Balancing Expectations

The majority of January’s matches will be away from home, where Stoke City has struggled to secure results this season. However, their recent victory against Sunderland has instilled some optimism. Key games, especially those against Plymouth Argyle and Oxford United at home, are seen as must-win encounters to keep the team clear of the relegation zone.

The addition of the FA Cup adds complexity to the schedule, but a strong performance against Sunderland could boost morale. January is set to be a defining month for Stoke City as they aim to stabilize their season and set the tone for the rest of 2025.

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