Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Championship match.
If not for a draw with a bottom club, Stoke City could have been in the top ten, while Preston North End remain hovering above the relegation zone. Both clubs need to improve their standings.
Stoke City
Trips to Queens Park Rangers usually come with an expectation of three points, as many view the Londoners as a team with little left to achieve. However, they were actually more threatening than Stoke City. They took 23 shots at Stoke's goal and missed a penalty in the 27th minute. Stoke capitalised on a major error by the hosts to open the scoring. Although they couldn't maintain their lead due to an own goal, this marked Stoke's fourth consecutive game with points, and they have now scored in five matches in a row.
Preston North End
Preston North End also played out a 1:1 draw, but unlike Stoke City's match, it was much less eventful, with Derby County once again demonstrating their knack for scoring from free kicks and corners. Preston tend to score just one goal, having done so in six of their last seven matches. However, they haven't won since round 10, when this scoring streak began.
Stoke City vs Preston North End Prediction
Stoke City have long ceased to be a team that's impenetrable at home. They have only kept a clean sheet once, back in the first round. Meanwhile, Preston North End only failed to score against renowned strongholds like Swansea City and Sheffield United. Our prediction is that both teams will find the net.
