By Geoff Pruce

Stoke City v Fulham | Saturday 22nd January 2022 | 3pm | bet365 Stadium | #STKFUL

The opposition

  • This season looks set to be Stoke’s best chance of promotion since their relegation to the Championship in 2018. They currently sit eighth in the standings, four points behind sixth placed Middlesbrough, on whom they have a game in hand.
  • A mean defence has been a main contributor to their solid season. They’ve shipped just 25 goals, a number bettered only by Fulham, Bournemouth, West Brom and Derby County.
  • Their home form will be of some concern to Potters fans, though, with the side taking just one point from a possible 12 in their previous four outings at the bet365.
New signing Phil Jagielka in action during Stoke's win at Hull City last weekend

Stoke team news

Nick Powell and Romaine Sawyers have returned to training following lay-offs, but Saturday will likely come too soon for the midfield pair. Sam Surridge and Ben Wilmot are doubts, but Friday’s loan signing from Aston Villa Jaden Philogene-Bidace was registered in time for a potential debut. Goalkeeper Joe Bursik - who impressed at Craven Cottage in the reverse fixture - is not quite ready, but City do welcome Mario Vrancic back after he missed last week's 2-0 win at Hull City.

Fulham team news

Marco Silva has no new injury concerns going into Saturday’s match.

Tickets

Match tickets for this fixture are now off sale, with none available to purchase on the day.

Coverage

International fans can purchase a match pass to watch a live stream of this fixture on FFCtv, while domestic subscribers can listen to commentary from Gentleman Jim and Jamie Reid.

Watch #STKFUL Live!

Overseas fans can grab a match pass to watch live coverage of our trip to Stoke

Buy pass

Covid protocols

Stoke have advised that fans will need to show their vaccine passport or proof of a negative lateral flow test before entering the stadium.

Covid protocols

Weather

A typically brisk afternoon is forecast in Stoke-on-Trent, with temperatures around seven degrees. It should remain dry, though.

Player insight

Antonee Robinson says Fulham are in good spirits following recent results as they prepare to take on Stoke City.

“We’re not scared of anyone,” he told FFCtv. “We’ve been playing some great football. We’re going to go there full of confidence thinking we can get all three points.”

Form

Stoke: DLLWW

Fulham: LWWWW

Pre-match quotes

“For me, they’re the best team in the division. They’ve scored 70 and only conceded 23, that shows you they’ve been very dominant. The front four have scored 50 goals between them. They’ve got quality players, but they’re also a well structured and organised team as well.”

Michael O'Neill

Stoke City Manager

“It will be tough for us, because I can see the quality in their side. At the same time, we want to create problems for them. Fulham go there to match them and to play to win the football match. But it will be difficult, definitely.”

Marco Silva

Fulham Head Coach