Looking to take an almighty step towards second-tier safety, Stoke City will welcome Queens Park Rangers to the bet365 Stadium for a Championship clash on Saturday afternoon.
The Potters have eight games to save their campaign and commence that quest with the visit of the R's, who went into the international break following a respectable result against promotion-chasing Leeds United.
Match preview
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After six years of uninspiring mid-table finishes in the Championship following their relegation from the Premier League in 2018, Stoke City are in grave danger of dropping another level at the end of the 2024-25 term, with the Staffordshire boys embroiled in a relegation dogfight.
It appeared as if there was light at the end of the tunnel for the Potters when a sole strike from Ipswich Town loanee Ali Al Hamadi secured a vital maximum versus Blackburn Rovers on March 12, but Mark Robins's troops soon returned to their worrying ways, losing 1-0 at Millwall prior to the international pause.
Earning maximum points in just one of their last six second-tier battles, Saturday's hosts have slumped down to a highly-concerning 20th position in the Championship standings, 12 points behind the top half of the rankings and only a point ahead of Midlands counterparts Derby County in 22nd.
Finding the net on just 37 occasions across 38 league contests this term, only League One-bound Luton Town (34) possess a poorer attacking record in the division to date, with the Potters certainly unnerved by a major departure during the January transfer window.
On course to compete for the Championship's Golden Boot earlier in the season, Tom Cannon was a significant hit in the Potteries during his temporary spell from Leicester City, but the Republic of Ireland international was quickly poached by Premier League-hunting Sheffield United during the winter trading point.
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After requiring a Marti Cifuentes masterclass to avoid a dreaded drop to the third tier of English football last season, Queens Park Rangers are striving to prevent a similarly-stressful conclusion to the 2024-25 term, although the Londoners will need to improve on their recent form to achieve those aims.
Since mauling the tigers of Hull City in the North-East on January 21, the R's have suffered defeat in seven of their last 10 Championship matches, with Saturday's visitors to Staffordshire currently enduring a five-game winless streak, collecting a single point across the wretched run.
To contrast the considerable doom and gloom swirling around Loftus Road at this moment, Cifuentes's charges managed a respectable share of the spoils against league leaders Leeds in the capital prior to the two-week break and even went two goals ahead in the battle courtesy of strikes from Koki Saito and veteran Steve Cook.
The collection of a measly five points across their last 10 league battles has essentially buried QPR's hopes of competing for a playoff spot during the final eight games of the season, with the R's sitting in 15th spot in the Championship table, 12 points behind West Bromwich Albion in sixth.
Those of a QPR persuasion will travel to the bet365 Stadium in hope more than expectation of a positive result on the weekend, especially considering that Cifuentes's side are currently enduring a five-game losing streak on their Championship travels, including defeats at Portsmouth and Millwall.
Team News
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Stoke remain without the services of experienced centre-back Ben Gibson, who has not featured since the middle of February due to a leg injury.
The Potters are battling on without the talents of January addition Josh Wilson-Esbrand, with the Manchester City loanee also fighting against a leg issue.
Adding to the hosts' struggles at the top end of the pitch following the winter departure of Cannon, Ryan Mmaee is occupying a spot in the medical room owing to a muscular problem.
Receiving his marching orders during the concluding stages of the draw with Leeds last time out, Japanese attacker Saito is suspended for Saturday's trip to Stoke.
Whilst one forward sits on the naughty step, there could be a welcome return for an R's youngster in the form of Rayan Kolli, who uploaded a cryptic post on social media suggesting that he might feature this weekend.
Stoke City possible starting lineup:
Johansson; Tchamadeu, Phillips, Wilmot, Bocat; Thompson, Burger; Koumas, Baker, Manhoef; Gallagher
Queens Park Rangers possible starting lineup:
Nardi; Dunne, Cook, Fox, Paal; Colback, Edwards; Smyth, Andersen, Dembele; Frey
We say: Stoke City 2-1 Queens Park Rangers
With no international breaks between themselves and the end of the campaign, Stoke are now staring the possibility of relegation in the face, and we are expecting a timely response from Robins's troops this weekend.
QPR were impressive in parts against table-topping Leeds but have struggled massively on the road in recent times, meaning that defeat in the Potteries is likely for the visitors.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Carter White
