Preston vs Stoke Prediction: Potters to avoid Deepdale defeat

After 11 straight seasons in the division, an excellent start to the campaign had Preston fans believing this would finally be the campaign in which they find a way out of the Championship.  North End started 2026 in sixth after picking up 40 points from their opening 25 games. However, the wheels have completely come off since and having taken nine points from their last 13 games, it looks set to be another season of mid-table misery for the Lilywhites. 

Stoke are another side who started well before seeing their form drop, but manager Mark Robins will still have some faint hope the Potters can close the nine-point gap to the play-offs in the final eight games and they can make progress towards that goal at Deepdale on Friday night. Read on for my Preston vs Stoke prerdictions.

Team News

Midfielder Ali McCann is Preston's sole confirmed absentee, although Callum Lang and Lewis Gibson will need to be assessed.

Stoke's injury list is far longer, with Divin Mubama, Aaron Cresswell, Lewis Baker, Gavin Bazunu, Robert Bozenik, Ato Ampah, Viktor Johansson, Bosun Lawal and Ben Wilmot all missing for the trip to Deepdale.

Preston vs Stoke Odds

At 7/5, Preston are slight favourites to take three points, with Stoke 9/5 and the draw 12/5.

Goals may come at a premium at Deepdale, so it is no surprise to see Over 2.5 goals at Evens and the Under at 4/5.

North End forwards Milutin Osmaijic, Lewis Dobbin and Daniel Jebbison are joint-favourites to open the scoring at 11/2

Draw No Bet - Stoke @ 1/1

Preston were a tough team to beat at the start of the campaign, but all confidence seems to have been drained out of Paul Heckingbottom's side.

Another season of stagnation will frustrate the North End faithful and a run of five defeats in seven home matches means the irate Lilywhites fans are unlikely to conjure up the kind of atmosphere needed to intimidate a talented Stoke side.

The Potters may eventually miss out on a play-off spot, but they gave their chances a real boost with Saturday's impressive 3-1 win over an improving Watford and have the quality to add to Preston's misery.

North End are impossible to trust after a run of four straight defeats, making Stoke the bet. Keep the draw on-side, however, as the last three head-to-heads have finished level.

Million Manhoef anytime goalscorer @ 23/10

Stoke have needed different players to step up during their injury crisis and Million Manhoef is the latest to do just that.

The talented Dutchman has caught the eye with his silky dribbling and slick skills throughout the season, but he put in his best Potters performance against the Hornets, scoring two goals and managing a mammoth five shots on target.

Manhoef is seeing more of the ball than ever before and he is a big price to continue his rich vein of form.

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