Match Pack: Stoke City v Watford

• Stoke City v Watford
• Sky Bet Championship
• Bet365 Stadium
• Saturday August 19, 3pm KO
• Yellow and black home kit

• Referee: James Bell
• Assistant Referees: Ian Cooper and George Byrne
• Fourth Official: Keith Stroud

A pub close to the Bet365 Stadium - and only a five-minute walk from Stoke-on-Trent train station - has been designated to away supporters:

• The Terrace Inn, 185 Leek Road, Stoke, ST4 2BW

Stoke City return to the Bet365 Stadium this weekend looking to get back to winning ways, after beating Rotherham United 4-1 at home on opening day but then succumbing to a 2-0 defeat at newly-promoted Ipswich Town last time out.

Following a disappointing 16th-placed finish under Alex Neil in 2022/23, the Potters will be hoping for promotion back to the Premier League this term, having been absent from the top-flight since 2017/18.

After securing a number of eye-catching signings over the summer - including experienced defender Enda Stevens, Brazil international forward Wesley and highly-rated shot-stopper Mark Travers - Stoke will be confident of claiming a first home win over the Hornets since January 2017 here.

• Should Watford win, Stoke will be the sixth different side they have won five successive league games against this century, and the first since Norwich City in September 2021.

• The Golden Boys have won each of their last four Football League meetings with the Potters, as many wins as in their previous 15 league encounters (D3 L8).

• Watford are the only side in the Championship so far this season yet to concede, while it’s now three games without conceding including their final game last season against Stoke (2-0 win). They last enjoyed a longer such run in December 2022 (run of four).

For a full statistical breakdown, check out Stats Buzz: Stoke City In Numbers.

Summer signing Tom Ince (hip) could feature in Watford’s matchday squad for the first time against his former club, but Jamal Lewis (calf) isn’t available. Francisco Sierralta (thigh) and Jeremy Ngakia (ankle) are both fighting to be involved and face late fitness tests.

Click HERE to read full team news from the Hornets’ camp.

For Stoke, Lewis Baker (knee) and Tyrese Campbell (thigh) are doubts.

Valérien Ismaël, Watford Head Coach:

“We’ve started the season well - the performances, the attitude and the mentaility have all been exactly as we wanted, and we’ve set the standards to stay that way.

“Now we need to keep improving and create momentum, which is not about one or two good results. It’s about seven, eight, nine or 10 games in a row - that’s how you build confidence for a season.

“Like every team in the Championship, Stoke are strong. They have good players and a good manager. We know what we have to do to put in the performance, the effort and mentality we want. We’ve got our own plan, and we have to stick to it.”

Click HERE to read Ismaël’s full pre-match interview.

Alex Neil, Stoke City Manager:

“It is another good home game for us and our home form so far has been good - we want to try and continue that.

“Watford are a good side but we want to make our place a cauldron and continue our season well at home, like we have started.

“It is important we get on the front foot and we try to put our game onto them and dictate proceedings.”

Overall:

Won: 18
Drawn: 7
Lost: 16

Last Six:

May 2023: Watford 2-0 Stoke City (Championship)
October 2022: Stoke City 0-4 Watford (Championship)
September 2021: Watford 1-3 Stoke City (Carabao Cup)
January 2021: Stoke City 1-2 Watford (Championship)
November 2020: Watford 3-2 Stoke City (Championship)
January 2018: Stoke City 0-0 Watford (Premier League)

Watford’s last visit to Stoke was a memorable one, with goals from Ismaïla Sarr, Ken Sema, Keinan Davis and Vakoun Bayo yielding an emphatic 4-0 win in Slaven Bilić’s first game as Head Coach, in October 2022.