2020-21 Championship – Stoke vs Blackburn Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When does Stoke vs Blackburn kick off? Saturday 19th December, 2020 – 15:00 (UK)
Where is Stoke vs Blackburn being played? Bet365 Stadium, Stoke-on-Trent
Where can I get tickets for Stoke vs Blackburn? Check official club websites for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Stoke vs Blackburn on in the UK? Sky Sports have the rights to Championship matches in the UK, so it is worth checking their schedule
Where can I stream Stoke vs Blackburn in the UK? If televised, subscribers can stream the match live on Sky Go
THE TEAM NEWS
STOKE
Predicted line-up (4-2-3-1): Bursik; Collins, Souttar Chester, Fox; Cousins, Thompson, Brown, Powell, McClean; Fletcher
Unavailable: Allen (Injured), Campbell (Injured), Davies (Injured), Gregory (Injured), Gunn (Injured)
Questionable: Clucas (Injured), Obi-Mikel (Injured)
BLACKBURN
Predicted line-up (4-3-3): Kaminski; Nyambe, Lenihan, Ayala, Douglas; Rothwell, Holtby, Johnson; Elliott, Gallagher, Armstrong
Unavailable: Bennett (Injured), Brereton (Injured), Dack (Injured), Evans (Injured), Rankin-Costello (Injured) Travis (Injured), Wharton (Injured)
Questionable:
THE PREDICTION
Blackburn travel to Stoke on a huge high after their 98th minute winner against Rotherham in midweek. Rovers won that match 2-1, but will find it tough to find the net against a defensive minded Stoke City side who are still looking for that perfect balance between defence and attack. Whilst the Potters secured their fifth clean sheet in six Championship matches vs QPR last time out, they could only draw that game 0-0. Of those six matches played Stoke could only win two of them, which perhaps underlines the need for Michael O’Neill’s side to take more risks offensively. That will prove a huge risk here against a Blackburn side with the firepower to seriously punish Stoke if they push any extra bodies forward and get caught. Realistically, the hosts are likely to maintain their solidarity and look to capitalise on any mistakes made by an injury ravaged Blackburn. This should lead to a low scoring encounter, with under 2.5 goals expected. As for the result itself, it could go either way, but most likely both sides will have to settle for a point.
