Nottingham Forest go into the game in poor form with no wins in their previous three games, snatching a late goal to draw 1-1 to Birmingham City last time out.

Chris Hughton's side have faltered this season, but are mightily close to securing another campaign in the second tier next year, after flirting with relegation in recent months.

Michael O'Neill's side similarly have little to play for in regards to league position at the close of this campaign, after failing to mount a play-off push. 

They have lost three of their previous four, culminating in a 3-2 defeat at home to Coventry City last time out.

  • Team news

Sammy Ameobi and Samba Sow will both be unavailable for the home side, with ankle and groin injuries respectively.

Joe Lolley will not feature again this term after picking up a season-ending hamstring injury against Reading in March.

Nick Powell is a doubt for the Potters, with the star man nursing an achilles problem that he picked up in the defeat to Coventry.

James Chester also came off in that game with a calf injury, and will miss the trip to Nottingham as a result.

Harry Souttar returns to the squad after serving a one-match ban through suspension.

The Potters remain without James McClean, Tyrese Campbell, Nathan Collins, Joe Allen and Tashan Oakley-Boothe, with none expected to play again this season.

  • Predicted lineups

Stoke City (4-2-3-1):

Davies; Smith, Batth, Souttar, Norrington-Davies; Thompson, Mikel; Clucas, Brown, Norton; Fletcher.

Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1):

Samba; Christie, Worrall, McKenna, Blackett; Yates, Garner; Freeman, Krovinovic, Mighten; Grabban.

  • Ones to watch

Steven Fletcher

34 year-old Steven Fletcher is no stranger to the Championship, having previously been at Sheffield Wednesday for four years before joining Stoke in the summer of 2020. 

The former Scotland international has chipped in with nine league goals this term, and will want to fire his side to victory to make it four double-figure hauls in his last five Championship seasons.

Alex Mighten

Alex Mighten has burst onto the scene this season as an attacking midfielder, adding an edge of flair and creativity to a Forest side lacking in front of goal. 

Born in the US, the 19-year-old came through the Forest academy and has grasped his chance with open arms to make a name for himself this season. He has three goals and one assist in 13 starts this campaign.

  • Previous meetings

The two teams played out a 1-1 draw at the bet365 Stadium earlier in the season.

This fixture in last season's campaign was certainly one to forget for Forest fans, as Stoke travelled to the City Ground and trounced the home side 4-1.

The defeat caused them to drop out of the playoff places on the final day of the season, as Swansea City took their place. 

  • How to watch

The match kicks off at 15:00 BST on Saturday April 24.

Match passes for iFollow coverage can be purchased from either club's website for £10 for customers in the UK and Ireland and £7 for viewers from elsewhere.

  • What the managers have said

Stoke boss Michael O'Neill says he has warned his players, insisting that they will be ready for the opposition's threat. He said:

"They have got to the 50 point barrier which is what people always say is the magic number to feel safe, so it’s a stiff test and a good benchmark for us.

“We have to be ready for Forest who are a very experienced team with a lot of very experienced Championship players, and a team that will want to put the threat of relegation to bed tomorrow.”

Forest boss Chris Hughton says that the home result last season may be used as extra motivation for his players. He said:

"Sometimes you have to accept that the form of the team will dip at times and we now have to pick ourselves up for another very important game against Stoke on Saturday. I'm looking for points over performances at this stage of the season because where you finish in the league is a better indicator of the season you've had than performance levels.

"I'm certainly aware of the home game against Stoke last season and the impact that has left on the club and if that brings extra motivation then we'll take it. I think it's something that most people in the club want to forget though and this is a different time with a number of different players."