Swansea vs Stoke prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2023-02-20 19:45.
Swansea manager Russell Martin described the 89th minute winner scored by Blackburn at the weekend as a âkiller blowâ as his side fell to a third defeat from four Championship outings (W1), a result that put them seven points behind the playoff places. Lamenting his teamâs lack of consistency, Martin challenged his players to âbounce backâ against Stoke, although the Welsh outfit have failed to win any of the last three H2Hs (D1, L2) suggesting this will be another tough assignment.
With their season now threatening to drift, Swanseaâs issues this term stem from a leaky defence, with only bottom of the table Wigan (50) conceding more than their 47 goals in the Championship so far. While they were beaten in the latter stages against Blackburn, it tends to be in the early parts of the game where the Swans are struggling to keep sides out, conceding a league-high 20 goals in the opening 30 minutes of games this term.
Stoke may prove the perfect opponents then, as they remain the only side in the division yet to score an away goal inside the first 15 minutes. The Potters also fell victim to an early goal in their last outing, as they became the first team to lose a Championship game against Blackpool since October. Despite registering 25 shots and 2.2 xG, Alex Neilâs men drew a blank in that 1-0 defeat, and now just six points separate them from the relegation zone ahead of this round.
If fears of the drop are to be alleviated, an improvement on the road may be necessary as Stoke are winless in their last four Championship away games (D1, L3), failing to score in the previous two. With all of their six league games after this one coming against sides currently inside the top half, a positive result could be imperative if Stoke are to move away from danger.
Key battle: Despite never winning a H2H against Stoke (D1, L2), Swanseaâs JoĂ«l Piroe has netted twice in three meetings with the Potters, including in this seasonâs reverse fixture (D 1-1). Tasked with marking him may well be veteran defender Phil Jagielka, who has lost just one of his 13 personal meetings with Swansea (W6, D6).
Hot stat: Just one of Stokeâs last eight Championship games have seen both sides score.