Stoke City vs Coventry City Prediction: Both teams aiming for Premier League

Stoke City will host Coventry City in a Game Week 1 fixture of the English Championship at Bet365 Stadium. Both teams aiming for Premier League. Who will be standing tall at the end of 90 minutes?

Since relegation in 2018 from the English Premier League to the EFL Championship, Stoke City has failed to meet the benchmark of the top five spots in the championship for six consecutive seasons. With this, bet365 Stadium fans no longer have energetic hopes for the team either. Facing the threat of relegation at the start of the last campaign under manager Alex Neil, Stoke made a change on the bench in December and together with the arrival of Steven Schumacher. Former Plymouth Argyle boss held his nerve and keeps a team safe—six points clear of 21st-placed Birmingham City.

However, Stoke lacked goals with any consistency through the ranks last term, with only the six scored by Portuguese winger Andre Vidigal considered anywhere near 'enough' to earn him the team's Golden Boot in the Championship. Schumacher's side has no illusions about what improvements need to be made if it is to be considered in top-half contention in the current campaign.

In a bid to solve their problems in front of goal,, Stoke City secured the signing of Sam Gallagher from Blackburn Rovers in the summer window. The visitors, however, have off-field problems with their ownership and are bracing themselves for another difficult campaign.

The Potters continued face-palming through pre-season after challenges against Crewe Alexandra, Bolton Wanderers, and Stockport County, before welcoming Dutch giants AZ Alkmaar on 3 August—in which a Troy Parrott goal gave the hosts a slightly tighter win than they might have expected.

Johansson; Tchamadeu, Wilmot, Gibson, Bocat; Thompson, Laurent, Burger; Manhoef, Gooch, Gallaghe

Coventry City fell to defeat with a much-anticipated return to the Premier League as they lost in a penalty shootout to Luton Town during the playoff final in 2023. Finishing three places and nine points below Norwich City in sixth position during the season of 2023-24, nevertheless the Sky Blues did not manage to have a quiet year. They reached the semifinals stage at Wembley Stadium, where they were controversially denied a victory over Manchester United when VAR canceled two goals that would have given them the lead.

The FA Cup has taken a little bit of their focus away from the top-six, which affects the league finishes and does enforce how their transfer market really focuses on squad depth. This can be seen in the recent time with the addition of striker Brandon Thomas-Asante from West Bromwich Albion to add to attacking options alongside Haji Wright and Ellis Simms.

Going into his eighth season as manager, Mark Robins is the longest-serving manager in the second tier as of the 2024-25 campaign. He will surpass the milestone of 400 games in charge of Coventry during the upcoming season.

Dovin; Latibeaudiere, Thomas, Binks, Bidwell; Torp, Allen, Rudoni; Sakamoto, Palmer, Simms

Stoke have done well in pre-season and should be ready for a tough first match against a Coventry team that looks to have been well-drilled by Robins. The Sky Blues have big-match experience and will relish the trip into the Midlands for the seasonal opener. We tip an away win. Take a double chance on the game.