Stoke vs Preston Prediction: Lilywhites to claim precious away win

Two teams in the hunt for Championship promotion meet in Staffordshire on Boxing Day (15:00, Sky Sports+), as Stoke City host Preston North End.

My Stoke City vs Preston North End predictions follow below, complete with full team news and Betfred’s latest match odds.

Team news

Stoke are without the services of Junior Tchamadeu, who is with Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations, while Eric Bocat and Lewis Baker are both in the treatment room.

Ali McCann, Will Keane and Brad Potts all made their long-waited return from injury for Preston in the draw against Norwich last weekend and they will be hoping for more minutes.

Daniel Jebbison missed that contest through illness but is expected to be back available for this clash, while Jamal Lewis, Lewis Gibson and Robbie Brady remain sidelined and Milutin Osmajic is suspended.

Football Odds

Today's Football Fixtures

Stoke vs Preston Odds

Stoke are the 11/10 favourites to pick up three points on home soil, with the draw priced at 9/4 and Preston 13/5 to claim the spoils.

It is 11/10 for there to be over 2.5 goals in the contest, with the under available at 8/11.

Preston to win @ 13/5

Just three points separate these two heading into this crucial clash, with Preston occupying one of the play-off positions and the Potters just outside the top six.

But while the Lilywhites are building a head of steam with a six-game unbeaten run, Stoke are on the slide with six defeats in their last eight outings.

Mark Robins' side have lost four of their last five fixtures and they look to be up against it when welcoming Preston to town.

Paul Heckingbottom's visitors have collected 16 points on their travels - only Coventry, Middlesbrough and Derby have better records - and North End are unbeaten in their last seven trips to Stoke (W5 D2).

There certainly appears to be more consistency for Preston at this stage of the campaign and they can boost their promotion hopes with a win in Staffordshire.

Will Keane anytime goalscorer @ 11/4

Preston striker Will Keane made his first appearance of the season in last weekend's 1-1 draw against Norwich following a long injury lay-off and he made an instant impact by grabbing the equaliser.

The 32-year-old provides a big aerial threat at 6ft 2in and he will relish the chance to face a Stoke side who have conceded nine goals from set-pieces in the Championship.

It's likely Keane will come off the bench again, and he can make another big impression for the Lilywhites.

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