Stoke vs Watford: Championship Preview, Gameweek 11, 2022

The Potters began this campaign slowly, but with Alex Neil's reign fully underway their form and performances have seen an upturn in recent weeks.

Before the international break they took a solid point home from West London in a 0-0 draw at QPR.

It has been a turbulent week in WD18, with head-coach Rob Edwards sacked on Monday and subsequently replaced the next day by Slaven Bilic.

The Croat faces an uphill battle to motivate a squad that has won just one of their previous eight games, with their last match a 2-2 home draw against Sunderland.

Team news

Stoke

Joe Bursik returned to the Potters early from England U21 camp this week, following the passing of his father. Alex Neil has stated that Bursik is "doing ok" and he is expected to play on Sunday.

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Jack Bonham is back in contention to compete with Bursik for the no.1 spot after receiving treatment on his knee over the break.

Jordan Thompson will be unavailable as City follow concussion protocols after the Northern Ireland international came off in his side's victory against Greece last weekend following a clash of heads.

Boss Neil remained coy over other injuries within his squad, with his reserved answer over Jacob Brown's thigh problem suggesting that the Scot is set to remain sidelined this weekend.

Josh Tymon (ankle), Sam Clucas (hamstring), Gavin Kilkenny (groin), Josh Laurent (ankle), Dujon Sterling (ankle) and Harry Clarke (shin) were all out of action before the international break, so some returns are likely on Sunday.

Harry Souttar is back in full training, but the nature of his long-term ACL injury means Neil is unlikely to pick him in the squad yet.

Watford

Slaven Bilic has not had much time to get to know his new squad, with the size of his task emphasised further by the Hornets' long injury list.

João Pedro’s calf injury means he is a doubt for the trip north.

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William Troost-Ekong came off with a hamstring injury whilst away with Nigeria last week, and looks set to return in mid-October.

Jeremy Ngakia is close to a return to the squad, but won't be rushed back after recovering from a serious hamstring injury.

Tom Cleverley (achilles), Tom Dele-Bashiru (ACL) and Rey Manaj (hamstring) all remain sidelined with longer-term injuries.

Likely lineups

Stoke

Bursik; Taylor, Flint, Fox; Wilmot, Baker, Laurent, Powell, Tymon; Gayle, Brown.

Watford

Bachmann; Cathcart, Kabasele, Hause; Sema, Choudhury, Kayembe, Kamara; Asprilla; Sarr, Davis

Ones to watch

Ben Wilmot

Wilmot is taking on his old side for just the second time in a Stoke shirt, after making the move up north in June of last year. Still only 22, Stoke are the England U21 international's fifth professional club of his career so far after Stevenage, Watford, and loans at Udinese and Swansea City.

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Wilmot has impressed in his time so far at the Potters, earning plaudits for stepping out of his comfort zone to play on the left side of a back three and at right wing-back. He has shone in the absence of Harry Souttar this season, with numerous solid performances earning him Stoke's Player of the Month award for August. He has also chipped in with goals against Reading and Hull City in recent games.

Keinan Davis

Davis played in the Stevenage youth systems at the same time as Wilmot, but his career took a different path after being released by the Boro and joining Aston Villa at 17. He netted seven goals over 87 appearances for the Villa in six seasons, being used largely as a substitute and back-up.

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He found his feet and a starting berth on loan at Nottingham Forest last season, scoring five in 22 games as he became a key member of their promotion campaign. With half a season of Championship experience under his belt, Davis will hope to do similar with Watford this time around. He has scored once in his first four games.