Stoke City host Huddersfield Town this weekend as both sides look to continue their push to make the SkyBet Championship play-offs.

Both sides come into this game in considerably better shape than their last meeting, when they were both involved in a relegation dogfight and played out a seven goal thriller in West Yorkshire.

The Potters entered the international break on a high after a comprehensive 3-0 away victory over league leaders Reading.

Whereas The Terriers are without a win this month, but did win their last away game beating Millwall 3-0 at The Den.

Meanwhile, Stoke boss Michael O'Neill is facing a goalkeeping dilemma as Angus Gunn has been ruled out for six weeks.

Team News

The Potters are facing an injury crisis in the goalkeeping department as Angus Gunn is set for a six week spell out with an ankle injury.

Injuries to Gunn and number one Adam Davies means Stoke must decide whether to recall England U-21 international Josef Bursik from his loan spell at Doncaster Rovers, or rely on untested teenager Blondy Nna Noukeu.

Stoke will also be without James McClean after the winger tested positive for Covid-19 whilst on international duty. Nothern Ireland midfielder Jordan Thompson is also a doubt after he picked up a knock in his sides play-off defeat to Slovakia.

Huddersfield boss Carlos Corberan will be without long-term absentees Tommy Elphick and Alex Pritchard, while recent signing Álex Vallejo is still doubtful to make his debut.

The Terriers will be hoping influential midfielder  Juninho Bacuna can return after missing the last two games through injury.

Possible lineups

Stoke: Blondy, Souttar, Batth, Smith, Fox, Tymon, Mikel, Powell, Brown, Campbell, Fletcher.

Huddersfield: Hamer, Pipa, Stearman, Sarr, Toffolo, Eiting, Hogg, O'Brien, Diakhaby, Campbell, Koroma.

Ones to watch

  • Steven Fletcher - The veteran striker has enjoyed a solid start to his career in the Potteries, scoring three goals in his last five games and forging a promising strike partnership with young forward Tyreese Campbell.

 

  • Harry Toffolo - A flying wing back, Toffolo has been a mainstay in the Huddersfield side since his transfer from Lincoln. The 25-year-old has contributed one goal and three assists for The Terriers this campaign.

Previous meetings

The last time the sides met was on New Years Day 2020, at the time both teams were embroiled in a relegation battle at the foot of the SkyBet Championship. 

Despite being the away team on that day The Potters, enjoying a revival under Michael O'Neill, trounced the hosts 5-2 with four goals in just 33 second half minutes. 

The Terriers won their last visit to the bet365 stadium however in a 1-0 victory in 2019, their first league win in the Potteries since 1998.

How to watch

The game will be available to watch on the streaming sites of both clubs:

  • Huddersfield Town use iFollow which is available here.
  • Stoke City's streaming information can be found here.