West Bromwich Albion v Stoke City: survival bid meets top-half push | OneFootball

West Bromwich Albion host Stoke City in the Championship on Saturday, 7 February 2026 at The Hawthorns, with the hosts fighting to climb out of the relegation places and the visitors aiming to firm up their top-half standing.

Albion took the reverse fixture in August with a 1-0 win away, while the last league meeting at The Hawthorns finished 1-1 in January 2025. The stakes are clear: the home side need points to change the mood, Stoke seek a steadier run to stay in touch with the teams above.

Form is contrasting. West Brom are winless in four league games, including heavy defeats against Norwich City and Portsmouth, after a December victory over Queens Park Rangers. Stoke's recent run is mixed, one win in five, but it did include away successes at Norwich City and Hull City around the turn of the year.

Team news shapes options. West Bromwich Albion list Krystian Bielik, Karlan Ahearne-Grant and Tammer Bany as injured. Stoke City are without several forwards in Sam Gallagher, Robert Bozenik, Divin Mubama and Million Manhoef, while goalkeepers Gavin Bazunu and Viktor Johansson are also sidelined, with Junior Tchamadeu among the defensive absentees.

On the numbers, Albion have conceded 47 goals with five clean sheets this season, while Stoke have allowed just 28 and kept 11 clean sheets. Michael Johnston leads the league for assists with nine, supplying Aune Heggebo who has eight goals. For Stoke, Sorba Thomas is a dual threat with nine goals and six assists. A tight game could hinge on Stoke's defensive solidity against Albion's creators from wide areas.

A home win would lift West Bromwich Albion to 35 points and could move them out of the relegation places. Victory for Stoke City would take them to 45 points and could narrow the gap to the play-off positions.