Stoke City’s 2023/24 campaign in the EFL Championship has fallen short of expectations. Initially aiming to compete for the top spots in the league, the Potters find themselves languishing in 17th place after 21 matches, with just 22 points.
Their current form is worrying, with a winless streak of 7 matches leaving fans and analysts questioning the team’s ability to recover.
Despite having a squad that showed promise earlier in the season, results have been consistently unfavorable. A lack of cohesion on the field and difficulties in converting chances into goals have been evident throughout this rough patch.
READ MORE: 3 Stoke City players who are struggling this season
Sheffield Wednesday: A Formidable Opponent
Stoke City faces a tough challenge this weekend as they travel to Hillsborough to take on Sheffield Wednesday. The Owls are currently 11th in the table, with 29 points from 21 matches. They sit just 5 points outside the playoff spots, making this encounter vital for their aspirations.
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Sheffield Wednesday has been in solid form recently, with 3 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss in their last 5 games. They have shown consistency and resilience, backed by a goal difference of -4, slightly better than Stoke City’s -5. With 26 goals scored and 30 conceded this season, their defensive frailties are similar to Stoke’s, which has netted 23 goals while conceding 28.
A Must-Win Match for Stoke City
For Narcís Pelach and his squad, this match represents a critical opportunity to reverse their fortunes. Playing away from home against a team with playoff ambitions will not be easy, but it is essential for Stoke City to show greater composure and offensive sharpness.
The outcome of this match could shape the remainder of Stoke’s season. A win would boost morale and provide much-needed momentum, while another loss or draw could deepen the sense of crisis surrounding the team. All eyes will be on the Potters to see if they can rise to the occasion and end their winless streak.