Match Preview Sheffield Wednesday vs Stoke City Championship Game Week 2

Fixture: Sheffield Wednesday vs Stoke City

Date: Saturday, 16 August 2025

Kick-off: 15:00 BST

Venue: Hillsborough Stadium

Sheffield Wednesday, coming off a narrow defeat against Leicester City, will be eager to bounce back at home. Their recent performance showed resilience despite the loss, suggesting they could pose a significant challenge to Stoke City. The Owls will need to capitalise on their home advantage and tighten their defence to counter Stoke's attacking prowess, which was evident in their convincing win over Derby County.

Stoke City, on the other hand, will be riding high on confidence after their 3-1 victory against Derby. Their ability to score multiple goals indicates a strong offensive line that could trouble Sheffield Wednesday's backline. However, playing away from home might test their consistency, and they will need to maintain their intensity to secure a positive result against a motivated Sheffield Wednesday side.

Match Prediction: Sheffield Wednesday 1-1 Stoke City

Sheffield Wednesday's recent loss to Leicester City, despite a valiant effort, highlights areas where they need to improve, particularly in defense. The narrow margin of defeat suggests they were competitive, and this could boost their morale as they prepare to face Stoke City. At home, they will look to leverage their familiar surroundings and the support of their fans to turn their fortunes around.

Recent Championship Results:

• Loss: 1-2 vs Leicester City (A)

Stoke City's convincing win against Derby County showcases their current form and attacking strength. This victory will undoubtedly boost their confidence as they travel to face Sheffield Wednesday. However, maintaining this level of performance on the road will be crucial, and they must be wary of a Sheffield Wednesday side eager to redeem themselves after a recent loss.

Recent Championship Results:

• Win: 3-1 vs Derby County (H)

The head-to-head record between Sheffield Wednesday and Stoke City shows a closely contested rivalry, with both teams having recent victories over each other. While Stoke City has won two of the last five encounters, Sheffield Wednesday has also secured two wins, indicating neither team has a clear historical advantage.

Recent Results

• Stoke City 2-0 Sheffield Wednesday (18 Apr 2025)

• Sheffield Wednesday 2-0 Stoke City (21 Dec 2024)

• Sheffield Wednesday 1-1 Stoke City (13 Apr 2024)

• Stoke City 0-1 Sheffield Wednesday (09 Dec 2023)

• Stoke City 1-0 Sheffield Wednesday (16 Feb 2021)

• No reported injuries.

• No injuries have been reported for the current season.

• Charles, Valery, Otegbayo, Iorfa, Lowe, Palmer, Ingelsson, Chalobah, Bannan, Lowe, Cadamarteri

Sheffield Wednesday's predicted line-up suggests a focus on maintaining a solid defensive structure while relying on the creativity of Bannan and Chalobah in midfield to unlock Stoke's defence. Their recent performance indicates a need for improved defensive coordination to prevent conceding goals.

• Johansson, Tchamadeu, Lawal, Wilmot, Cresswell, Pearson, Baker, Manhoef, Bae, Thomas, Mubama

Stoke City's predicted line-up highlights their intent to continue their attacking momentum, with players like Mubama and Manhoef likely to be key in breaking down Sheffield Wednesday's defence. Their recent success suggests a confidence in their offensive strategy, which they will aim to replicate away from home.

• Jamal Lowe vs Aaron Cresswell: Lowe's pace and dribbling skills will be tested against Cresswell's defensive experience and positioning.

• Barry Bannan vs Lewis Baker: Bannan's creativity in midfield will face a stern challenge from Baker's tenacity and ball-winning ability.

• Bailey Cadamarteri (Sheffield Wednesday): Cadamarteri's goal-scoring threat will be crucial for Sheffield Wednesday's chances of winning.

• Divin Mubama (Stoke City): Mubama's recent form and ability to find the back of the net make him a key player for Stoke City's attack.

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