Stoke have won just two of their last eight league matches
Preston are undefeated in six Championship games
Recommended bet: Preston to win
Ahead of their Boxing Day clash with Preston, Stoke somehow remain in eighth place in the Championship table, despite being on a run of just two wins in eight matches.
The Potters lost to Watford last time out, yet trail sixth place Millwall by only two points.
Preston, meanwhile, have not tasted defeat since a 2-1 loss against Blackburn on November 21. Since then, the club have won two and drawn four of their subsequent six domestic matches.
A Christmas win away from home could see them consolidate a play-off position heading into the new year.
The latest Stoke vs Preston odds are available at LiveScore Bet
Team news
Junior Tchamadeu is missing for the home side due to representing Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations over the festive period.
Elsewhere, Lewis Baker has an ankle injury and will be absent for the remaining few matches of 2026, while Eric Bocat is also unavailable until the start of 2026 at the earliest due to a muscle injury.
Preston will be missing a few players for this match. Daniel Jebbison is absent due to illness, while Jamal Lewis, Lewis Gibson and Robbie Brady will not be back in action until 2026 due to injury.
Milutin Osmajic is suspended for the visitors.
The stats
Since Stoke suffered relegation back to the second tier in 2018, these two clubs have met 14 times.
Stoke have won just three of those games, with Preston claiming victory on six occasions and the other five games have ended all-square.
Preston have won three of the previous seven match-ups, with Stoke winning two.
Both teams have scored in just two of the last six fixtures, while over 2.5 goals has landed just once in the last six games.
Preston have conceded just 23 goals this season, but Stoke have the best defensive record in the second tier, with 21 goals conceded so far.
Preston have scored two more goals than Stoke, however, (30 vs 28) after 22 games played.
Prediction
Stoke’s last two wins have come at home and this might give them confidence heading into the match on Boxing Day.
Preston are in an excellent position heading into 2026, however, and they will be keen on remaining in the play-off places for as long as possible.
Their last league victory came away from home when they played Oxford United just over a week ago and another performance like this could see Paul Heckinbottom's men emerge with all three points again.
Back Preston to win at 14/5 with LiveScore Bet
The latest Stoke vs Preston odds are available at LiveScore Bet
