Stoke City v Preston: play-off push meets top-six chase | OneFootball

Stoke City host Preston North End in the Championship on Friday, 26 December 2025 in Stoke-on-Trent, with the visitors defending a play-off spot and the hosts eyeing the top six.

Preston North End have had the recent edge in this fixture, winning six of the last 14 meetings to Stoke City's three, with five draws. It also pits fifth against eighth, separated by three points.

Form points to contrast. Stoke City have lost four of their past five league games, while Preston are unbeaten in five with two wins and three draws.

Squad availability could bite. Stoke City are without suspended Junior Tchamadeu, while Lewis Baker and Eric Junior Bocat are injured. Preston miss suspended forward Milutin Osmajic, with Robbie Brady, Jamal Lewis, Lewis Gibson, Daniel Jebbison and Theo Carroll sidelined.

On the pitch, Stoke City average 53% possession with 80.67% pass accuracy and a high crossing output. Sorba Thomas is a major outlet, with eight league goals and five assists, making 13 goal contributions joint second in the division. Preston tend to play with less of the ball at 45% possession but are strong in the air, winning 487 aerial duels and scoring five headed goals. They have also struck nine times from outside the box, with Lewis Norman Dobbin supplying five assists. Wide delivery and long-range efforts could be decisive.

A home win would lift Stoke City to 36 points and could push them into the play-off picture. Victory for Preston would take them to 39 points and further solidify their place in the top six.