**Stoke City Vs Derby County Preview: Prediction, Lineups**

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Post on Nov 02, 2024

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Stoke City vs Derby County Preview: Prediction, Lineups, and Key Battles

The Championship clash between Stoke City and Derby County promises to be a captivating encounter as both teams look to continue their positive starts to the season. Stoke, under the stewardship of Alex Neil, are aiming for a promotion push, while Derby, with Paul Warne at the helm, are seeking a return to the upper echelons of the league after their recent struggles.

This preview will delve into the key factors that could decide the outcome of this crucial match, offering insights into potential starting lineups, key battles, and a prediction for the final score.

Stoke City: Building Momentum

Stoke have enjoyed a strong start to the season, sitting comfortably in the top half of the table. Neil's side have impressed with their attacking prowess, boasting a potent blend of pace and creativity in their forward line. Key players like Jacob Brown, Will Smallbone, and D'Margio Wright-Phillips will be crucial to their attacking threat.

Defensively, Stoke have been solid, maintaining a good balance between organization and individual resilience. The likes of Harry Souttar, Ben Wilmot, and Josh Tymon will be looking to thwart Derby's attacking ambitions.

Derby County: Rebuilding After a Challenging Period

Derby, under Warne, are still rebuilding after their recent struggles. The Rams have shown flashes of quality, but consistency has been a challenge. Nevertheless, they possess a dynamic attacking force led by the likes of David McGoldrick, Conor Hourihane, and James Collins.

Derby's defense, however, remains a work in progress. Craig Forsyth, Curtis Davies, and Eiran Cashin will have their work cut out for them against a formidable Stoke attack.

Key Battles to Watch

• Will Smallbone vs Conor Hourihane: The midfield battle will be crucial, with Smallbone's dynamism against Hourihane's experience set to be a fascinating duel.
• Jacob Brown vs Craig Forsyth: Brown's pace and directness will test Forsyth's defensive mettle, a matchup that could dictate the flow of the game.
• D'Margio Wright-Phillips vs Eiran Cashin: The battle between the two young wingers will be a key area to watch, with both players capable of unlocking defenses.

Predicted Lineups

Stoke City:

• GK: Jack Bonham
• RB: Dujon Sterling
• CB: Harry Souttar
• CB: Ben Wilmot
• LB: Josh Tymon
• RM: D'Margio Wright-Phillips
• CM: Will Smallbone
• CM: Josh Laurent
• LM: Jordan Thompson
• ST: Jacob Brown
• ST: Lewis Baker

Derby County:

• GK: Joe Wildsmith
• RB: Nate Simeon
• CB: Curtis Davies
• CB: Eiran Cashin
• LB: Craig Forsyth
• RM: James Collins
• CM: Conor Hourihane
• CM: Max Bird
• LM: Haydon Roberts
• ST: David McGoldrick
• ST: Louie Sibley

Prediction

Both teams have the potential to cause problems for the other, but Stoke's home advantage and current form could prove decisive. Expect a closely contested match with both sides looking to attack, but Stoke City to edge out a narrow victory.

Conclusion

This clash between Stoke and Derby promises to be an exciting and closely fought encounter. Both teams have the firepower to score goals, making it a potential goalfest. The key battles in midfield and the attacking flanks will likely determine the outcome of this crucial Championship match.