Explore Ladbrokes’ pre match preview for Stoke City vs Derby in match day one of the Championship. Stats, odds, predictions, and lineups for the 15:00 BST match. This Midlands derby pits a resilient Stoke side against a competitive Derby team, promising an intense Championship opener.
Match Details
Fixture: Stoke City vs Derby County
Date: Saturday, 09 August 2025
Kick-off: 15:00 BST
Venue: bet365 Stadium
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Our Predictions for Stoke City vs Derby County
Both teams struggled in the 2024/25 Championship, but Stoke’s strong home form gives them an edge. Their balanced approach, blending defensive solidity with vibrant attacks, should test Derby’s inconsistent away record. Derby’s attacking flair, led by new signing Carlton Morris, could pose a threat, but their cautious approach may struggle against Stoke’s tempo control. Home advantage should secure a narrow win for the Potters.
Match Prediction: Stoke City 2-1 Derby
Form Guide & Team Overview
Stoke City
Stoke’s 2024/25 was bolstered by a solid home record, with wins like 2-0 over Sheffield Wednesday showcasing their grit. Their ability to grind out results, combined with exciting talents like Jun-ho Bae, makes them dangerous at home. They’ll aim to dominate possession and exploit Derby’s defence early.
Recent Championship Results (2024/25):
(D) 0-0 at Derby County (03 May 2025)
(L) 0-2 vs Sheffield United (25 Apr 2025)
(L) 0-6 at Leeds United (21 Apr 2025)
(W) 2-0 vs Sheffield Wednesday (18 Apr 2025)
(W) 1-0 at Cardiff City (12 Apr 2025)
Derby
Recent wins, like 3-1 at West Brom, highlight Derby's attacking potential, but a cautious approach may limit their impact against Stoke’s organised setup. They’ll need clinical finishing to secure a result.
Recent Championship Results (2024/25):
(D) 0-0 vs Stoke City (03 May 2025)
(W) 1-0 at Hull City (26 Apr 2025)
(W) 3-1 at West Brom (21 Apr 2025)
(L) 0-1 vs Luton Town (18 Apr 2025)
(D) 2-2 at Portsmouth (12 Apr 2025)
Head-to-Head Record
Derby have a slight edge, winning three of the last five meetings, though Stoke earned four points from their two 2024/25 encounters (2-1 win, 0-0 draw). This competitive history suggests a tight contest, with Stoke’s home form potentially decisive.
Stoke’s lineup balances defensive solidity with attacking vibrancy, with Jun-ho Bae and Divin Mubama targeting Derby’s backline. They’ll control the tempo and exploit counter-attacking opportunities.
Derby’s cautious setup emphasises midfield stability, with Carlton Morris and Ebou Adams driving attacks. They’ll aim to absorb pressure and hit Stoke on the break.
Key Battles & Players to Watch
Ben Wilmot (Stoke City) vs Carlton Morris (Derby): Wilmot’s defensive task against Derby’s new signing, a proven Championship scorer, could be decisive.
Divin Mubama (Stoke City) vs Danny Batth (Derby): The young loanee’s flair meets Batth’s experience in a key attacking-defensive duel.
Jun-ho Bae (Stoke City): The South Korean’s creativity was a highlight in 2024/25 and could unlock Derby’s defense.
Ebou Adams (Derby): His midfield dynamism could make him a match-winner for the Rams.
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Odds and market details are accurate as of the time of publication.
