Stoke City vs Preston Predictions

• Only 15 of Stoke’s 41 league games have featured over 2.5 goals
• Stoke have kept clean sheets in five of their last seven home games
• Only one of Preston’s previous seven league games have featured three or more goals

Low-scoring encounter on the cards

Lee Gregory’s first-half strike was all that separated these sides at Deepdale earlier in the season and another low-scoring encounter could be on the horizon as they renew their rivalry at the bet365 Stadium.

There is little at stake for this mid-table duo and that has been evident in recent outings with Stoke suffering back-to-back defeats against Millwall and Birmingham while Preston have won just once in eight attempts.

Only 15 of Stoke’s 41 league games have rewarded backers of over 2.5 goals and they have been defending resolutely at home, which enhances the chances of another slow-burner.

Stoke have kept clean sheets in five of their last seven home league games and that may be bad news for a Preston side that have failed to score in seven of their last 12 fixtures.

Only one of Preston’s previous seven league games have featured three or more goals and that was last time out as they were thumped 5-0 at home to Brentford.

However, Stoke don’t boast the same attacking threat as the Bees and this could be a clash where defences come to the fore.

Goals should be at a premium, so we are backing under 2.5 goals and predict a 2-0 win for the Potters – two of their last three victories came by that margin.