Championship | Gameweek 26

Jan 4, 2025 at 12.30pm UK

Britannia Stadium

Stoke vs Plymouth

Match preview

Stoke can be proud of their performance against second-placed Burnley, creating two good chances and hitting the woodwork while limiting the Clarets to two.

Robins was sacked by Coventry City in November after seven years in charge and will be hoping his side can beat Plymouth for the second time this season, having beaten them 1-0 in the reverse fixture on 31 August.

The hosts have struggled in front of goal for some time, finding the net just five times in their last nine games.

Ryan Shawcross has been in charge for the last two games following the sacking of Narcis Pelach, and while he has managed a win and a draw, Stoke have lost five and drawn four of their previous nine matches.

The Potters have lost just two of their last 10 home games, although they have won just three of those.

Plymouth sacked Rooney after a nine-match winless run, including six defeats in his final seven games in charge.

Kevin Nancekivell led the side as caretaker boss against Bristol City and he will have been pleased to see Julio Pleguezuelo score a 91st-minute equaliser to earn Argyle a valuable point.

It should be noted that the visitors have played 24 games in the Championship and are currently four points behind 21st-placed Portsmouth, who occupy the final relegation zone spot but have played 23 times.

The Pilgrims have conceded 27 goals in their last nine matches, scoring just nine times and failing to find the net on four occasions.

Plymouth's away form is worrying, with the club failing to win any of their 14 away games this season, losing 12 and failing to score in their last four away games.

Recent Performance

Stoke City Championship form:LDLLWD

Plymouth Argyle Championship form:LLDLLD

Team News

Stoke will be without midfielders Ben Pearson and Jordan Thompson, so expect Tatsuki Seko and Wouter Burger to form a double pivot.

Forwards Lewis Koumas, Andrew Moran and Jun-Ho Bae all started behind striker Thomas Cannon last time out and with Million Manhoef ruled out, the four attackers will almost certainly feature on Saturday.

Ashley Phillips is likely to start at the heart of defence alongside Ben Wilmot, and the duo could be deployed in front of goalkeeper Viktor Johansson.

Plymouth will be without striker Callum Wright, who is suspended, and forwards Muhamed Tijani and Mustapha Bundu.

Nancekivell is unlikely to make many changes to the side that drew at Bristol City, which could see striker Ryan Hardie joined by Morgan Whittaker and Rami Al Hajj on Saturday.

Defender Joe Edwards is not expected to return from a hamstring injury until mid-January, so centre-backs Kornel Szucs, Julio Pleguezuelo and Brendan Galloway could retain their places at the back.

Possible starting lineup

Stoke City possible starting lineup:

Johansson; Tchamadeu, Phillips, Wilmot, Gooch; Seko, Burger; Koumas, Moran, Jun-Ho; Cannon

Plymouth Argyle possible starting lineup:

Hazard; Szucs, Pleguezuelo, Galloway; Sorinola, Randell, Gyabi, Mumba; Whittaker, Al Hajj; Hardie