Stoke vs Bristol City prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2023-04-06 14:00.
A 4-0 demolition of play-off chasing Coventry made it five games unbeaten for in-form Stoke City (W3, D2), who are honing in on a place in the top-half of the Championship table. Manager Alex Neil believes his side are in a “really good place” amidst their longest run without a league defeat since August 2021, knowing if they extend that run into a sixth match against Bristol City it would mark their best such streak in nearly four years.
The Potters’ recent success has been aided by a new-found solidity on home soil, where they’ve lost just one of their last six league games (W3, D2). That purple patch has been short-term though, as Stoke have won just 23 of their 51 points on their own turf, with just three teams in the division earning fewer points at home this season, all three of whom are in the relegation scrap.
Bristol City look well placed to capitalise on any lingering Stoke fragilities as they’ve won on each of their last four trips to the Potteries, conceding just one goal in those meetings. Manager Nigel Pearson may look to use that record to inspire his players after a three-match winless run (D1, L2) has seen his side lose momentum as their chase for a top-half finish begins to falter.
Pearson was frustrated that his side let a lead slip to draw 1-1 against Reading last time out, with the Robins’ boss admitting afterwards it was a “game we should win”. Hitting the road may lead to further frustration though, as Bristol City have won just one of their last eight Championship away games (D4, L3), a run partly behind their paltry 19-point tally away from Ashton Gate this term.
Players to watch: Stoke midfielder Ben Pearson has avoided defeat in all ten of his personal H2Hs with Bristol City (W8, D2), winning more matches against them than any other side in his career. The Robins may turn to frontman Andreas Weimann, who has twice previously scored in away wins over the Potters.
Hot stat: Alex Neil has beaten Bristol City seven times in his managerial career, his joint-highest total (D4, L1).