Preview: Preston North End vs Stoke City Prediction, lineups, betting tips & odds | EFL Championship 2025-26

All of their last three meetings have ended in a draw.

Preston North End FC are now going to battle it out against Stoke City FC for their matchweek 39 contest of the 2025-26 EFL Championship. This is going to be an intense clash, taking place at Deepdale.

The Lillywhites are on a poor run of form at the moment. They have faced a defeat in all of their last four matches.

Preston North End FC are coming in after losing a match against Norwich City by a scoreline of 0-2. They will be at home for their next game, but it is not going to make things any easier for them.

The Potters are coming in after securing a 3-1 win against Watford FC in their last league outing. It was a top performance by Stoke City.

They will now be looking to extend their winning run. With 14 wins in 38 games, they are in 13th place on the EFL Championship points table.

Kick-off:

• Location: Preston, England
• Stadium: Deepdale
• Date: Saturday, March 21
• Kick-off Time: 01:30 AM IST (Friday, Mar 20; 08:00 PM GMT/ 03:00 PM ET/ 12:00 PM PT)
• Referee: Farai Hallam
• VAR: Not in use

Friday night football 🔜 pic.twitter.com/csZYxjjhZt

— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) March 16, 2026

Form:

Preston: D-L-L-L-L

Stoke: W-L-L-D-W

Players to Watch

Lewis Dobbin (Preston)

The 23-year-old will be looking to step up his game so that he can get his side back to winning ways. Even though he has not been consistent with his performances, Lewis Dobbin is still going to play a crucial part in the final third for Preston North End FC. He has scored seven goals and has five assists to his name in 31 EFL Championship appearances this season.

Million Manhoef (Stoke City)

Million Manhoef is coming in after scoring a sensational brace in the previous league fixture to help his side secure an easy win. He will be gearing up to help his side on the attacking front. Manhoef will lead the attack from the right for Stoke City, making him a constant threat to the opponent’s defence.

Match Facts

• Preston North End are on a four-match losing streak.
• Stoke City FC are undefeated in their last two matches.
• The Potters are unbeaten in their last four fixtures against PNE.

Preston vs Stoke: Betting Tips and Odds

• Stoke City to win @24/13 Unibet
• Million Manhoef to score @7/2 Paddy Power
• Goals under 3.5 @3/10 BOYLE Sports

Injury and Team News

Preston North End will be without the services of Callum Lang. He is injured. Alistair McCann might also miss out due to a lack of fitness.

Lewis Baker, Robert Bozenik, Viktor Johansson, Divin Mubama, Ben Wilmot, Gavin Bazunu, Bosun Lawal, Aaron Cresswell, Ato Ampah and Maksym Taloverov are not going to be in action for Stoke City. They are injured.

Head-to-Head

Total matches: 116

Preston won: 51

StoKe won: 38

Draws: 27

Predicted Lineups

Preston predicted lineup (5-3-2)

Iversen (GK); Offiah, Storey, Lindsay, Hughes, Small; Moran, Whiteman, Thompson; Jebbison, Dobbin

Stoke City predicted lineup (4-2-3-1)

Simkin (GK); Tchamadeu, Talovierov, Phillips, Bocat; N’Zonzi, Rigo; Manhoef, Jun-Ho, Thomas; Smit

Match Prediction

The hosts will be under pressure, and the Potters will be looking to use it to their advantage. Stoke City are likely to come out on top and secure three points against Preston North End FC in their upcoming EFL Championship.

Prediction: Preston 0-2 Stoke

Telecast Details

India: FanCode

USA: CBS Sports Network

UK: Sky Sports TV, Sky Sports+

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