'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAb/2gAIAQEAAAAAjVf/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAF/9oACAECEAAAAFf/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD/9oACAEDEAAAAB//xAAgEAACAQMEAwAAAAAAAAAAAAABAwIAESEEBRIxQYHR/9oACAEBAAE/ANsQlOpKJrOpEocSITMcm3g2yO7+qRs8nJWyLFcZxEhk/K//xAAZEQEAAgMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADAAIBcbH/2gAIAQIBAT8AFbVRMa5P/8QAGREBAAIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAwACAXGx/9oACAEDAQE/AFOuQO2+z//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Stoke City are now a point off the playoffs after having had a very inconsistent time in the EFL Championship in recent weeks.
In the last five games, they have attained a pattern whereby they claim a win one weekend and lose their next game the following weekend.
They beat league leaders Reading last time out, and they will be hoping their inconsistent pattern doesn’t repeat itself on Saturday when they take on a Huddersfield Town side that have picked up just four points in their last five games.
A loss for Huddersfield could see them slip sharply down the table.
Stoke City vs Huddersfield Town Head-to-Head
These two last met on New Year’s Day when Stoke ran out emphatic 5-2 victors after losing the reverse fixture at the Bet365 Stadium 1-0 four months prior.
That is their only loss to the Terriers in their last seven games against them.
This will be the third time these clubs have ever faced each other in the Championship.
Overall, Stoke have beaten Huddersfield 29 times in their history, losing on 22 occasions and drawing 25 times.
Stoke City vs Huddersfield Town Team News
James McClean will not be available for Stoke for the next two matches after testing positive for COVID-19 while on international duty with the Republic of Ireland.
Meanwhile, Adam Davies is still out with injury while Sam Clucas is a doubt for the game.
Injured: Joe Allen, Ryan Shawcross, Thibauld Verlinden, James Chester, Adam Davies
Doubtful: Sam Clucas
Suspended: None
Rarmani Edmonds-Green featured for Huddersfield’s B team on Saturday and is working his way back to full fitness. However, this fixture could come too early for him.
Injured: Ryan Schofield, Tommy Elphick, Danny Ward
Doubtful: Rarmani Edmonds-Green
Suspended: None
Stoke City vs Huddersfield Town Predicted XI
Stoke City predicted XI (4-4-2): Angus Gunn, Tommy Smith, Danny Batth, Harry Souttar, Morgan Fox, Jacob Browne, Jordan Thompson, John Obi Mikel, Tyrese Campbell, Nick Powell, Steven Fletcher
Huddersfield Town predicted XI (3-5-2): Ben Hamer, Pipa, Naby Sarr, Richard Stearman, Christopher Schindler, Harry Toffolo, Jonathan Hogg, Carel Eiting, Josh Koroma, Isaac Mbenza, Fraizer Campbell
Stoke City vs Huddersfield Town Prediction
Stoke are looking for stability and consistency by building a winning run. This match may be an important step towards that.
Huddersfield have a nice balance of quality throughout their ranks but Stoke should have enough know-how and guile to see off their opponents this weekend.
Prediction: Stoke City 2-0 Huddersfield Town
