City v Stoke City: mid-table stakes and a form contrast | OneFootball

Bristol City host Stoke City in the Championship at Ashton Gate Stadium on Saturday, 2 May 2026, with both aiming to sharpen their mid-table finish in the final week of the season.

Bristol City are 13th on 59 points, while Stoke City sit 17th with 55. The reverse fixture in November ended 5-1 to Stoke City.

City's recent run has been patchy, with one win, two draws and two defeats in their last five, including a 2-2 draw at Southampton. Stoke City are winless in five, losing four, with back to back 3-1 home defeats against Millwall and Portsmouth.

Injuries shape both squads. For the hosts, Joseph Williams, Max Bird, Cameron Pring, Rob Atkinson and Luke McNally are sidelined. The visitors list Aaron Cresswell, Ben Wilmot, Gavin Bazunu, Maksym Talovierov, Tomas Rigo and Bosun Lawal as out. Defensive absences on both sides could influence selection.

Scott Twine has 11 league goals and seven assists for City, while Sorba Thomas leads Stoke City's supply line with 11 assists this season. The Robins have scored 12 headed goals, and with City's crossing output, deliveries into the box could be a key route. Stoke City attempt a high volume of open play crosses and may look to wide areas again.

A win would take City to 62 points and could lift them higher in mid-table. Stoke City would move to 58 points with victory and could climb from 17th.