9th Aug. England Championship - Stoke City VS Derby County Prediction
England Championship - Stoke City VS Derby County
Match Time:09-08-2025 22:00 Saturday (GMT+8)
Football Livescore | Match Prediction & Tips
------------------------------
Stoke City
Stoke City, coached by Steven Schumacher, begins the 2025-26 Championship season aiming for a playoff push after finishing 17th in 2024-25. Their pre-season was strong, with four wins, including a 2-0 victory over AZ Alkmaar, and one loss in five friendlies, averaging 1.8 goals scored and 0.6 goals conceded. Key players include Emre Tezgel, Tom Cannon, and new signing Bosun Lawal, with a probable 4-2-3-1 lineup: Johansson; Tchamadeu, Wilmot, Phillips, Rose; Lawal, Laurent; Manhoef, Bae, Baker; Cannon. Stoke’s strengths are their attacking pace and home support at bet365 Stadium (sold out, 30,089 capacity), but injuries to Ryan Mmaee and Sam Gallagher, plus doubts over Jordan Thompson, are concerns. They aim to capitalize on their strong pre-season and home advantage to start the season well.
Derby County
Derby County, led by Paul Warne, enters the Championship after a 2nd-place finish in League One, securing promotion with 92 points. Their pre-season was mixed, with two wins, one draw, and two losses in five friendlies, including a 2-1 loss to Barnsley, averaging 1.4 goals scored and 1.2 goals conceded. Key players include Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, Kayden Jackson, and new signing Corey Blackett-Taylor, with a probable 4-3-3 lineup: Vickers; Wilson, Nelson, Cashin, Forsyth; Ozoh, Adams, Goudmijn; Mendez-Laing, Jackson, Blackett-Taylor. Derby’s strengths are their wing play and promotion momentum, but injuries to Ryan Nyambe and doubts over Tom Barkhuizen weaken their squad. They aim to upset Stoke despite a poor historical away record against them.
Head-to-Head
Stoke and Derby have met 22 times since 2000, with Stoke winning 9, Derby 7, and 6 draws. Last season in League One, they did not meet due to different divisions, but their last Championship encounters in 2020-21 saw Stoke win 1-0 at home and draw 0-0 away. Matches average 2.0 goals, with 36% over 2.5 goals and 41% both teams scoring (BTTS). Stoke are unbeaten in their last five home games against Derby (3 wins, 2 draws).
Predicted Score: Stoke City 2-1 Derby County
This Matchweek 1 clash on August 9, 2025, at bet365 Stadium, Stoke-on-Trent, at 3:00 PM BST (10:00 AM EDT), is a sell-out, broadcast on Sky Sports Football and streamed on Sky Go, NOW, and Sofascore. Stoke’s Cannon and Manhoef face Derby’s Mendez-Laing and Jackson, with Stoke’s home strength tested by Derby’s pace on the wings. Stoke are favorites (-120 odds) over Derby (+300), with a draw at +240. Trends (Stoke: 60% over 2.5 goals; Derby: 60%) suggest goals, with betting tips favoring BTTS (-167 odds) and over 2.5 goals (+105). Cards may be issued in the 20°C afternoon if Derby’s physicality rises. Stoke is likely to score through Cannon, with Jackson possibly netting for Derby. Stoke’s home form and pre-season momentum should secure a narrow win, but Derby’s attacking threat keeps it close.
The Most Popular
-
Feyenoord vs. Fenerbahce: Mourinho’s Men Eye Crucial Away Win -
8th Aug. International Club Friendly - Monaco VS Inter Milan Prediction -
7th Aug. UEFA Europa League - Hacken VS Brann Prediction -
8th Aug. International Club Friendly - Chelsea VS Bayer Leverkusen Prediction -
6th Aug. UEFA Champions League - Ludogorets Razgrad VS Ferencvarosi TC Prediction -
PAOK Poised to Dominate Wolfsberger in Europa League Qualifier
