Stoke City 2-1 Sheffield Utd: result and AI prediction

AI match recap

Stoke bring the more settled recent league momentum into the Bet365 Stadium, while Sheffield United must recover from a difficult midweek and another disrupted selection picture. The hosts have a clear opportunity to work their left flank, where Bocat's forward running meets a potentially makeshift Blades defensive side. United's recent command of this fixture prevents this from being straightforward: their direct transitions and physical work around second balls remain capable of turning the match. Team news matters heavily, particularly whether Sheffield United can restore enough balance on their left side.

Head-to-head analysis

Sheffield United have won each of the last five meetings with Stoke and have consistently imposed their direct, physical game on this matchup. That recent record is a meaningful counterweight to Stoke's current upswing.

Injuries and absences

Stoke lose Cresswell's defensive experience and Ingelsson's midfield cover, but Sheffield United's absences are more structurally concentrated on the left side, with Burrows and Seriki unavailable and McCallum uncertain. Chong's absence also reduces the visitors' ability to carry the ball through transition.

Form (last 5)

Stoke City vs Sheffield Utd stats

Last meetings

• 2025-12-29Stoke City 1-2 Sheffield Utd
• 2025-12-06Sheffield Utd 4-0 Stoke City
• 2025-04-25Stoke City 0-2 Sheffield Utd
• 2024-10-26Sheffield Utd 2-0 Stoke City
• 2023-01-14Sheffield Utd 3-1 Stoke City
• 2022-10-08Stoke City 3-1 Sheffield Utd

Unavailable players

Other Championship matches

• Bristol City – Watford
• Cardiff – Charlton
• Millwall – West Ham
• Birmingham – Middlesbrough
• Burnley – Derby
• Lincoln – Swansea
• Portsmouth – Blackburn
• QPR – Preston