12th Aug. England League Cup - Stoke City VS Walsall Prediction
England League Cup - Stoke City VS Walsall
Match Time:13-08-2025 02:45 Wednesday (GMT+8)
Football Livescore | Match Prediction & Tips
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Stoke City
Stoke City, coached by Steven Schumacher, enters the first round of the 2025-26 Carabao Cup after a 2-1 loss to Derby County in their Championship opener on August 9, 2025, with Tom Cannon scoring their lone goal. 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 Cannon, Emre Tezgel, 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 home form at bet365 Stadium (home supporters in Tile Mountain Stand, Blocks 26-30) and attacking pace, but injuries to Ryan Mmaee, Sam Gallagher, and doubts over Jordan Thompson are concerns. They aim to advance against League Two opposition, leveraging their higher-tier quality.
Walsall
Walsall, led by Mat Sadler, is a League Two side coming off a 1-0 loss to Port Vale in their league opener on August 9, 2025. Their pre-season included two wins and two losses in four friendlies, averaging 1.5 goals scored and 1.3 goals conceded. Key players include Jamie Jellis, Nathan Lowe, and new signing Albert Adomah, with a probable 3-1-4-2 lineup: Pressley; Stuttle, Barrett, Williams; Comley; Adomah, Jellis, Lakin, Weir; Lowe, Gordon. Walsall’s strengths are their physicality and set-piece threat, but their lack of goals in the opener and a poor away record (3 wins in 23 competitive away games last season) are issues. They aim to cause an upset, with Sadler likely emphasizing defensive solidity against a Championship side.
Head-to-Head
Stoke and Walsall have no recent competitive meetings, with their last encounter being a 2008 friendly (Walsall 2-1). Historical data is limited, but friendlies between Championship and League Two sides average 2.8 goals, with 60% over 2.5 goals and 50% both teams scoring (BTTS). This is their first competitive clash since 2001, when Stoke won 2-0 in the League Cup.
Predicted Score: Stoke City 2-0 Walsall
Stoke’s Cannon and Manhoef face Walsall’s Lowe and Jellis, with Stoke’s home advantage and Championship quality tested by Walsall’s defensive resilience. Stoke are heavy favorites (-200 odds) over Walsall (+450), with a draw at +300. Trends (Stoke: 60% over 2.5 goals in pre-season; Walsall: 50%) suggest goals, with betting tips favoring over 2.5 goals (-150 odds) and BTTS (-167). Cards may be issued in the 18°C evening if Walsall’s physicality escalates. The winner advances to the second round, likely facing a Championship or Premier League side. Stoke is likely to score through Cannon, with Walsall struggling to convert due to the quality gap. Stoke’s home form and attacking edge should secure a comfortable win, though Walsall’s grit may keep it tight early.
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