MX23RW : Monday, November 4 21:33:38| >> :120:18680:18680:
[monks data]
Stoke logo
Championship | Gameweek 38
Mar 18, 2023 at 3pm UK
Bet365 Stadium
Norwich logo

Stoke
0 - 0
Norwich


Wilmot (17'), Pearson (52')
FT

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

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

Stoke City will be looking to continue their good form of late when they host playoff-chasing Norwich City at the bet365 Stadium in the Championship on Saturday afternoon.

The Potters have stolen points off some big players in this division over the past three matches, whilst Norwich have stumbled as they hunt down the top six.


Match preview

Stoke manager Alex Neil before the match on February 28, 2023© Reuters

Since the FA Cup defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion at the end of February, Stoke have produced some of the league's most-notable results - the highlight of those surely being a 5-1 away win at the Stadium of Light against Sunderland.

Alex Neil's side have left it too late to mount a playoff push, yet they are still having a major say in matters at the top end of the table, taking points off the Black Cats, Blackburn Rovers and Middlesbrough in the last three.

Right-back Ki-Jana Hoever made it three goals in two matches by netting the equaliser at the Riverside on Tuesday night, a strike which allowed the visiting Potters to earn a point following Chuba Akpom opening the scoring for Michael Carrick's men.

Seven points collected in their last three games has seen Stoke rise to 14th in the second-tier standings, and with 12th-placed Sunderland just five points ahead, the club's first top-half finish since being relegated from the Premier League in 2018 appears to be a realistic aim.

Stoke have actually fared worse at the bet365 stadium than on their Championship travels this year, with only 22 of their 47 points so far coming at their Staffordshire home - the likes of Dwight Gayle and William Smallbone will be hopeful of firing in the goals to improve that record on Saturday.

Norwich City manager David Wagner on February 21, 2023© Reuters

During a five-game unbeaten run in February - which saw them earn 13 points - it appeared that Norwich's promotion charge was truly back on track under the new stewardship of David Wagner, but adversity is never too far away in the Championship.

The East Anglian club have managed just one point from their last two fixtures, losing at home to Sunderland on Sunday afternoon before being frustratingly held to a 1-1 draw at relegation-threatened Huddersfield Town.

Wagner's men dominated possession at the John Smith's Stadium and created the lion's share of the chances, but a second-half own goal from Grant Hanley cancelled out Gabriel Sara's opener, meaning the points were shared in Yorkshire.

With playoff rivals Luton Town and Millwall both recording back-to-back wins over the past week, the Canaries have fell behind the top-six pace slightly and now sit in seventh, four points behind Gary Rowett's Lions in sixth.

Norwich fans have been accustomed to plain-sailing Championship titles over the past four years, but if they are to be promoted this season, it will be via a more arduous route than those associated with the club have become used to.

Stoke City Championship form:


Stoke City form (all competitions):


Norwich City Championship form:


Team News

Teemu Pukki celebrates scoring for Norwich City on October 1, 2022© Reuters

Stoke welcomed back Ben Wilmot to the matchday squad against Boro following a short spell out with injury, and the 23-year-old is expected to partner Axel Tuanzebe in the Potters' backline again in this one.

Neil is hopeful of having Phil Jagielka available for selection after his spell on the sidelines, whereas Nick Powell needs to regain fitness before being considered for a place in a Championship 18-man squad.

Bersant Celina has been absent in recent games due to illness and now has to fight his way back into the fold, with the five-loanee rule preventing manager Neil from selecting the 26-year-old.

Norwich will be without winger Marquinhos for the trip to Staffordshire after the Brazilian received his marching orders late on at Huddersfield - the player will serve a one-match suspension.

Onel Hernandez is set for a spell on the sidelines due to an ankle injury, with the Cuban travelling to London this week to see a specialist, who will in turn determine whether the attacker requires surgery.

Adam Idah and Ben Gibson are doubts for Saturday's clash due to foot and hamstring issues respectively, leaving Wagner short on options at both ends of the pitch.

Stoke City possible starting lineup:
Bonham; Hoever, Tuanzebe, Wilmot, Sterling; Pearson, Laurent, Brown, Smallbone, Campbell; Gayle

Norwich City possible starting lineup:
Gunn; Aarons, Hanley, Omobamidele, Giannoulis; McLean, Tzolis, Sorensen, Sara, Sargent; Pukki


SM words green background

We say: Stoke City 2-1 Norwich City

Stoke continue a tough run of fixtures by welcoming Norwich to the bet365 Stadium on Saturday, although they will be confident of extending their unbeaten run to four games following impressive performances over the past week.

The Canaries suffered a disappointing result and more injury setbacks at Huddersfield in the week, and we feel those circumstances could contribute to another poor showing this weekend.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 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.Over 1.5:data


ID:509165:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect13132:

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 Norwich

Stoke City
44.3%
Draw
28.6%
Norwich City
27.1%
70
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Manchester United's Axel Tuanzebe pictured in May 2021
Read Next:
Manchester United's Axel Tuanzebe joins Stoke City on loan
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sunderland139222391429
2Leeds UnitedLeeds137512281426
3Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd138321661025
4Burnley136521761123
5Watford137152221122
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom13562148621
7Millwall135441612419
8Blackburn RoversBlackburn135441614219
9Bristol City134721717019
10Norwich CityNorwich134632318518
11Middlesbrough135351415-118
12Swansea CitySwansea13445109116
13Coventry CityCoventry134361717015
14Derby CountyDerby134361617-115
15Hull City133641517-215
16Stoke CityStoke134361518-315
17Cardiff CityCardiff134361319-615
18Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds134361524-915
19Oxford UnitedOxford Utd133551617-114
20Preston North EndPreston133551420-614
21Luton TownLuton133371521-612
22Plymouth ArgylePlymouth133371325-1212
23Queens Park RangersQPR131751119-810
24Portsmouth131661326-139


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!