Stoke City vs Fulham: Prediction, Team News, and Lineup Analysis
Stoke City will host Fulham in an FA Cup fourth-round match at the bet365 Stadium this weekend. Both teams aim to reverse disappointing runs in their respective leagues. Stoke recently lost 1-0 to Charlton Athletic, marking their sixth consecutive match without a victory. Meanwhile, Fulham suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat to Manchester City.
Match Preview: Stoke City vs. Fulham
Stoke City, having finished 18th last season, started the current campaign promisingly. However, poor recent performances have seen them drop to 14th place in the Championship with 43 points. The last match against Charlton was particularly upsetting, with Tyreece Campbell scoring an 81st-minute winner for the opposition. The Potters are just four points shy of the playoffs, making their attacking struggles paramount. They have scored only twice in their last six games, which ranks them seventh-worst in the league for offensive output.
On the other hand, Fulham’s recent form has seen them slip to 12th in the Premier League. The Cottagers lost their last three matches to Manchester United, Everton, and Manchester City, dropping them 10 points below European qualification spots. Their latest defeat to Manchester City highlighted their defensive frailties, conceding three goals in the first 39 minutes. However, Fulham advanced in the cup with a sturdy 3-1 victory over Middlesbrough in January.
Recent Encounters
This match will be the first meeting between the two sides since 2022, where Fulham emerged victorious in the last three encounters.
Team News and Lineups
Stoke City faces numerous injury concerns ahead of the match. Bosun Lawal left the previous game with an injury, while Divin Mubama, Robert Bozenik, Sam Gallagher, Lewis Baker, Junior Tchamadeu, and Gavin Bazunu will also miss out due to injuries. In contrast, Fulham is expected to rotate their squad significantly, possibly giving Benjamin Lecomte a chance in goal over Bernd Leno. Tom Cairney and Sasa Lukic will remain unavailable for selection, but the majority of the Fulham squad is fit.
Probable Lineups
- Stoke City Possible Starting XI: Simkin; Talovierov, Phillips, Wilmot, Cresswell; Seko, Pearson; Manhoef, Rigo, Thomas; Cisse
- Fulham Possible Starting XI: Lecomte; Castagne, Diop, Cuenca, Sessegnon; Reed, King; Bobb, Smith Rowe, Iwobi; Kusi-Asare
Match Prediction
Given the current form of both teams, it is expected that Fulham will emerge with a decisive victory. Stoke City needs to overcome their attacking woes to compete effectively. The anticipated result is a 3-1 win for Fulham, propelling them into the next round of the FA Cup.
