Preston v Stoke City: mid-table push as hosts seek response and visitors build momentum | OneFootball

Preston North End host Stoke City in the Championship at Deepdale on Friday, 20 March 2026, with two points separating the sides and a chance to climb the table at stake.

Recent meetings have been tight: two of the last three league games ended level, while Stoke City won at Deepdale in March 2024. Preston North End's priority is a reset after a winless run, as Stoke City arrive on the back of improved results.

Preston are without Callum Lang, Lewis Gibson, Alistair McCann and Milutin Osmajic through injury. Stoke City list Aaron Cresswell, Lewis Baker, Ben Wilmot, Robert Bozenik, Gavin Bazunu, Maksym Talovierov and Viktor Johansson as injured.

Stoke City tend to control more of the ball, averaging 52% possession with 79.12% pass accuracy and 12 clean sheets across 38 games, suggesting a solid base. Preston have scored 42 league goals, including 10 from outside the box and none from set pieces, so shots from range and quick wide play could be their route. For the visitors, Sorba Thomas ranks among the Championship's leading contributors with 18 combined goals and assists, and could be central to their threat.

In the table picture, Stoke City sit 13th on 51 points and could climb with a win. Preston are 17th on 49 points. Victory would take them to 52 and move them above Stoke City, nudging them closer to the mid-table pack.