Stoke City v West Brom preview: TV channel, stream details, team news & more

West Bromwich Albion have a quick turnaround this week as they find themselves back in Championship action again on Friday evening with a visit to Stoke City.

The Baggies put Cardiff City to the sword midweek with a scintillating performance which saw them run out 4-0 winners and return to the top of the league on what was manager Valérien Ismaël’s 46th birthday.

Tuesday’s victory also made it 10 games unbeaten in the league for Ismael’s men who, on this form, look a certainty to bounce straight back to the Premier League.

Stoke have their own ambitions of promotion this season though and should prove a much tougher task under the lights.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the trip to the bet365 Stadium.

When is the game?

The game kicks-off at 19:45 on Friday 1st October.

Is the game on TV?

The game is on TV on Friday evening. If you’re a Baggies fan and can’t make the trip to the bet365 Stadium, the game will be live on Sky Sports Football. Coverage begins at 19:00 with the game getting underway at 19:45. Overseas viewers should check local listings.

How can I stream it?

Sky Sports customers will be able to access the game online via their website or the Sky Go app. West Brom’s official WBA TV will also be streaming an audio only version of the game for a fee of £2.50.

Team news

There are no fresh injury concerns for Ismaël to contend with so it will be tough for him not to pick an unchanged side from one that just won 4-0.

With that said, Grady Diangana & Matt Phillips both made good claims to start with their substitute appearances so they would certainly not be the worst options if the manager wants to freshen things up.

Stoke City will be without two key players in Sam Clucas and Romaine Sawyers. Clucas picked up his fifth yellow card of the season at Preston in midweek so will serve his one match suspension against the Baggies.

Sawyers on the other hand is of course a West Brom player by trade so will be unable to suit up against his parent club. He’s been finding his best form of the season so far in a Stoke shirt so will leave a big gap that needs filling in the Potters line-up.

Form guide

Stoke City: WDLWWD

West Bromwich Albion: WDDDWW

It’s clear that West Brom go into the game favourites based on form. Unbeaten in their last six and yet to taste defeat in the Championship so far this season, it’s hard to look past them.

Stoke themselves only sit four points behind the Baggies in the table and will be looking to close that gap before we head into the international break.

Head-to-head record

West Brom boast a very impressive record against Stoke in recent years.

During the last 10 meetings, the Baggies have won six to the Potters’ two, with two draws.

Michael O’Neill’s side did however win the last meeting between the two. A 1-0 victory in West Brom’s promotion campaign, back in January 2020.

Predicted line-ups

Stoke City (3-4-2-1): Davies; Ostigard, Souttar, Wilmot, Smith, Tymon, Thompson, Vrancic, Powell, Brown, Surridge

West Bromwich Albion (3-4-3): Johnstone; Ajayi, Bartley, Townsend, Furlong, Reach, Livermore, Mowatt, Phillips, Hugill, Grant

Score prediction

Stoke City 1-2 West Bromwich Albion

There’s no doubt that this will be a much more difficult task for the Baggies but I think the spring in their step following a 4-0 win could just see them through to another victory, albeit a narrow one this time.

Sam Clucas and Romaine Sawyers could prove big misses for the Potters and West Brom’s depth, for me, will be the difference on the night.

Betting odds

Stoke City: 21/10

Draw: 9/4

West Bromwich Albion: 13/10