Stoke City vs Preston — form, head-to-head and match prediction
Our model makes Stoke City the pick at 48% for Stoke City vs Preston. Form trajectory, comparison data, head-to-head and the reasoning behind the call.
Match summary
Stoke City face Preston on 31 October 2026 at bet365 Stadium, Stoke-On-Trent. Stoke City are the model's favourite, with a win probability of roughly 48%. This matchday 13 fixture in Championship is listed as Stoke City - Preston. Kick-off is 12:30 UTC.
Form analysis and trajectory
Stoke City: they come in on the back of a draw, following three wins and one defeat before that. That is three wins, one draw and one defeat from the last five, worth 10 points. Their 2026-season record in our dataset (10 scored and 2 conceded in six matches, 1.67 and 0.33 per game) points to a side built on keeping the game tight rather than winning it early. That is reflected in a form rating of 58.8 out of 100, and they sit 9th on a goal difference of +2.
Preston: they come in on the back of a draw, following one draw and three defeats before that. That is no wins, two draws and three defeats from the last five, worth 2 points. It leaves them winless in five. Their 2026-season record in our dataset (6 scored and 9 conceded in six matches, 1.0 and 1.5 per game) points to a fairly even balance between the two ends of the pitch. That is reflected in a form rating of 27.9 out of 100, and they sit 24th on a goal difference of -15.
Side by side
| Statistic | Stoke City | Preston |
|---|---|---|
| League position | 9th | 24th |
| Goal difference | +2 | -15 |
| Form (last 5, most recent first) | DWLWW | DLLLD |
| Points from last 5 | 10 | 2 |
| Goals scored / conceded (last 5) | 7 / 5 | 4 / 12 |
| Clean sheets (last 5) | 2 | 0 |
| Matches in our dataset (2026 season) | 6 | 6 |
| Goals per game, scored / conceded (2026) | 1.67 / 0.33 | 1.0 / 1.5 |
| Points per game (2026) | 2.33 | 0.83 |
| Form rating (0-100) | 58.8 | 27.9 |
| Players unavailable | 10 | 12 |
| Model win probability | 48% | 22% |
| Head-to-head wins (last 4) | 0 | 1 |
What stands out
- Head-to-head balance (last 4): Stoke City none wins, Preston one win, three draws — a historically tight match-up.
- Most recent meeting: Preston 3-1 Stoke City on 20 March 2026.
- Head-to-head goals: 1.5 per game across those meetings, with both teams scoring in two of the four — a fixture that has historically stayed tight.
- Pre-match form ratings: Stoke City 58.8 versus Preston 27.9, a gap of 30.9, which aligns with the model's favourite.
- Table gap: 15 places separate them, the kind of margin that usually shows in the first twenty minutes.
- Goals outlook: A combined scoring line of 2.60, over 2.5 goals at 49% and both teams to score at 56%.
- First goal: Leans Stoke City's way at 56%.
Sentiment and prediction
The model tilts to Stoke City at 48%, without enough room to treat it as a formality. Stoke City's form line and home advantage back it, the goals line points to under 2.5 goals and draw probability stays material given the head-to-head draw rate. Baseline expectation tilts Stoke City's way, especially at bet365 Stadium.
This is a data-led read, not a certainty. The numbers are shown as they come out of the model so the basis for the call can be checked rather than assumed.
Frequently asked questions
Who is favoured to win the match: Stoke City or Preston?
Stoke City, with an implied win probability of roughly 48%. The full split is 48% Stoke City, 29% the draw and 22% Preston.
When and where is Stoke City vs Preston being played?
31 October 2026 at bet365 Stadium, Stoke-On-Trent, kick-off 12:30 UTC.
What was the result of the last match between Stoke City and Preston?
Preston 3-1 Stoke City on 20 March 2026.
What is the recent form of Stoke City and Preston?
Stoke City have taken 10 points from their last five (DWLWW), Preston 2 from theirs (DLLLD). Most recently Stoke City took a 0-0 draw at home to Bristol City and Preston a 1-1 draw at home to West Brom.
How many goals are expected in Stoke City vs Preston?
The model's combined scoring line is 2.60 — 1.60 for Stoke City and 1.00 for Preston. It rates over 2.5 goals at 49%.
Will both teams score?
The model rates both teams to score at 56%, so its call is yes.
Who is unavailable?
Our injury feed lists ten players unavailable for Stoke City and twelve for Preston at the time of writing. Confirmed line-ups land about an hour before kick-off.