Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Championship match.
Stoke City are facing a tactical conundrum from the football playbook here: how do you find the net against a team that's conceded just 6 goals in 17 matches, when you've managed to score only 19 yourself? That's the challenge Stoke City are pondering ahead of their clash with Burnley.
Stoke City
On the domestic front, Stoke City failed to break down even the league's basement side, Preston North End, in a goalless draw, despite Preston having conceded more goals (24-20). With 12 attempts resulting in a mere two shots on target, one hitting the woodwork, and an xG of just 0.71, Stoke City's attack fell short. On the flip side, it marked their fifth consecutive game with points, gradually climbing the league table until this draw saw them slip back to 14th place.
Burnley
Burnley, meanwhile, have been taking their chances while remaining defensively solid. They notched their third straight win to nil with a 2:0 triumph over Coventry City, despite an xG of only 0.97. Currently sitting ninth in the league for goals scored (21), Burnley find themselves in the top three, trailing the leading pair by just two points. Away from home, Burnley have secured 15 points from four wins in nine matches, propelling them to second place in the away table.
Stoke City vs Burnley Prediction
Holding firm, even at home, will be a tall order for Stoke City—every point is crucial for Burnley. They might not score many, but Burnley themselves aren't likely to concede more than a goal. Their recent history backs this up: over the past decade, all five meetings ended with a total under 2.5, with Burnley losing only once.
