Preview:Stoke City vs Derby County - prediction, team news, lineups

Two teams that struggled in the Championship last season will lock horns on the opening weekend of the new campaign, as Stoke City welcome Derby County to the Bet365 Stadium.

Stoke finished 18th in the Championship last season, while Derby were 19th, so there is clear room for improvement for both teams during the 2025-26 campaign.

Match preview

Stoke boasted a record of 12 wins, 15 draws and 19 defeats from their 46 league matches last season, with a total of 51 points leaving them in 18th spot in the Championship table, just two points above the relegation zone.

The Potters have been absent from the Premier League since 2017-18, and they have not managed to challenge for promotion back to the top flight during their last seven Championship campaigns.

Mark Robins's side will enter this match in strong form, having won two and drawn one of their last three pre-season games, including a morale-boosting 1-0 success over Burnley last time out.

Stoke have made six signings during this summer's transfer window, including Aaron Cresswell, with the experienced defender arriving on a free transfer from West Ham United.

Divin Mubama has also joined on loan from Manchester City, while their major outgoing this summer has been Wouter Burger, with the 24-year-old making the move to Hoffenheim.

Derby, meanwhile, were 19th in the Championship last season, with John Eustace's side finishing just one point above the relegation zone, so they came incredibly close to being relegated to League One.

The Rams only won 13 times in the Championship last term, while 22 defeats was the most outside of the bottom three, which is a clear indication of their struggles during the 2024-25 campaign.

Derby have actually won four of their six pre-season matches, including their last two, so confidence should be high in the camp, and they have managed to prevail in two of their last four Championship games against Stoke.

The Rams have been busy during this summer's transfer window, with their standout signing proving to be Patrick Agyemang from Charlotte FC, and it will be fascinating to see how he performs this season.

Derby have also allowed a number of players to leave on free transfers, so there will be a fresh look to the squad in the coming campaign, which was certainly needed after a difficult 2024-25.

Stoke City pre-season form:

LLLWDW

Derby County pre-season form:

DWWLWW

Team News

Stoke have not reported any injury concerns ahead of their Championship opener with Derby.

Cresswell is in line to make his debut from the first whistle, while there is also set to be a spot in the final third of the field for Mubama following his arrival on loan from Man City.

Junior Tchamadeu had an impressive season for Stoke in 2024-25, featuring on 45 occasions in all competitions, and he will once again feature from the first whistle.

As for Derby, there is likely to be a debut in the middle of the defence for Danny Batth.

Agyemang is the standout arrival in the final third of the field, but the 24-year-old is a fitness doubt, so fellow new signing Carlton Morris could feature from the first whistle.

Corey Blackett-Taylor could also potentially earn a spot in the starting team, with Callum Elder, Kane Wilson, Sondre Langas, Lars-Jorgen Salvesen, Curtis Nelson, Owen Beck and Matt Clarke all unavailable for selection.

Stoke City possible starting lineup:

Johansson; Tchamedeu, Lawal, Wilmot, Cresswell; Pearson, Seko; Manhoef, Jun-Ho, Thomas; Mubama

Derby County possible starting lineup:

Zetterstrom; Rooney, Nyambe, Batth, Forsyth; Goudmijn, Thompson; Jackson, Adams, Blackett-Taylor; Morris

We say: Stoke City 1-0 Derby County

Stoke recorded a 2-1 victory over Derby in the corresponding match last season, and we are backing the home side to navigate their way to all three points on the opening weekend of the new campaign.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.