MX23RW : Sunday, November 17 09:16:47| >> :120:22554:22554:
[monks data]
Stoke logo
Championship | Gameweek 4
Aug 21, 2021 at 3pm UK
bet365 Stadium
Nottingham Forest logo

Stoke
1 - 0
Nott'm Forest

Tymon (66')
Clucas (85'), Souttar (88')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Figueiredo (28'), Samba (62')

Preview: Stoke City vs. Nottingham Forest - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship clash between Stoke City and Nottingham Forest, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Stoke City play host to Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon looking to extend their unbeaten start in the Championship to four matches.

Meanwhile, Forest have suffered three successive 2-1 defeats, a run of results which has left them as one of two teams who are yet to record a single point.


Match preview

Stoke City manager Michael O'Neill pictured in December 2020© Reuters

While Stoke put together an uninspiring second half to last season, there has been little criticism of the club's business in the transfer market this summer.

Despite there only being four noteworthy arrivals, the signings of Ben Wilmot, Leo Ostigard, Mario Vrancic and Sam Surridge have already made a considerable difference.

Michael O'Neill will not be getting carried away by seven points from three games, the latest haul a result of a 3-1 triumph away at Swansea City in midweek.

That said, there is no reason to think that the Potters cannot emerge as contenders for promotion, particularly with the prospect of more incomings before the end of the month.

The fixture schedule appears kind to Stoke going forward, but O'Neill will stress the need for another three points ahead of the trip to Fulham.

Nottingham Forest manager Chris Hughton gives instructions to his players on August 8, 2021© Reuters

From the perspective of Forest, they have reached a point where they would gratefully accept a share of the spoils after three defeats in succession.

The performances of Chris Hughton's side do not necessarily warrant having zero points at this stage, but the Forest boss knows that their current streak must come to an end as soon as possible.

Just six players have started each of the opening triple-header, evidence that Hughton has had to deal with injuries and new players being brought to the City Ground.

However, that will not be used as an excuse for their setbacks, and the pressure is on to show a cutting edge at both ends of the pitch at the bet365 Stadium.

Stoke City Championship form:
  • W
  • D
  • W

Stoke City form (all competitions):
  • W
  • W
  • D
  • W

Nottingham Forest Championship form:
  • L
  • L
  • L

Nottingham Forest form (all competitions):
  • L
  • W
  • L
  • L



Team News

Stoke City's Nick Powell celebrates scoring their first goal against Blackburn Rovers on December 19, 2020© Reuters

Nick Powell is a doubt for Stoke after sustaining a thigh injury at the Liberty Stadium on Tuesday night.

O'Neill may opt against taking any risks on the playmaker with Jordan Thompson most likely to feature in his place.

Forest have issues in the full-back positions with Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel serving a suspension and Jordi Osei-Tutu having picked up a hamstring injury.

Gaetan Bong will return on the left-hand side of defence after completing his own ban, while youngster Finley Back will likely play on the right.

Cafu, Joao Carvalho and Lyle Taylor are also pushing for opportunities in the Forest XI.

Stoke City possible starting lineup:
Bursik; Ostigard, Souttar, Wilmot; Smith, Thompson, Allen, Clucas, Tymon; Surridge, Brown

Nottingham Forest possible starting lineup:
Samba; Back, Figueiredo, McKenna, Bong; Zinckernagel, Yates, Cafu, Mighten; Johnson; Taylor


SM words green background

We say: Stoke City 2-1 Nottingham Forest

Despite their contrasting starts to the season, we feel that this contest will be competitive throughout the 90 minutes. That said, Forest may find it hard to shake off the feeling of narrow defeats, and they could succumb in another close game here.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 2.5:data



ID:459839:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect8463:

Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Stoke City win with a probability of 41.44%. A draw had a probability of 29.4% and a win for Nottingham Forest had a probability of 29.14%.

The most likely scoreline for a Stoke City win was 1-0 with a probability of 14.09%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 2-0 (8.36%) and 2-1 (7.89%). The likeliest drawn scoreline was 1-1 (13.3%), while for a Nottingham Forest win it was 0-1 (11.22%). The actual scoreline of 1-0 was predicted with a 14.1% likelihood. Our data analysis correctly predicted a 1-0 win for Stoke City in this match.


Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Stoke vs Nott'm Forest

Stoke City
90.5%
Draw
4.8%
Nottingham Forest
4.8%
21
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Stoke City manager Michael O'Neill pictured in December 2020
Read Next:
Michael O'Neill full of praise as Stoke continue flying start by beating Swansea
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Packers
@
Bears
6pm
Raiders
@
Dolphins
6pm
Colts
@
Jets
6pm
Jags
@
Lions
6pm
Rams
@
Patriots
6pm
Browns
@
Saints
6pm
Ravens
@
Steelers
6pm
Vikings
@
Titans
9.05pm
Seahawks
@
49ers
9.05pm
Falcons
@
Broncos
9.25pm
Chiefs
@
Bills
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!