Stoke City and Nottingham Forest measure forces at Britannia Stadium, in a match for the 9th round of the Championship. The history of recent direct confrontations between these two teams indicates total balance, as there was 1 draw and 1 victory for each team in the last 3 games. The last direct confrontation between these two teams, on 02‑03-2019, ended with the victory of Stoke City by (2‑0). In this match the home factor may be decisive, since both teams have considerable differences in the results won at home and as a visitor.
Stoke City :
After 2 draws and 6 losses, the home team is currently in 23rd position, with 2 points won. In their last game, they tied with Brentford out by (0-0), after in the previous match they lost by (1-2) at home, in a match against Bristol City. This is a team that curiously conquers more positive results as a visitor than at home, since in the last 30 matches it records 5 wins, 5 draws and 5 losses as a visitor, with 17 goals scored and 18 suffered; against 2 wins, 7 draws and 6 losses in his stadium, with 16 goals scored and 22 suffered. The team arrives at this match after a defeat away with Crawley Town by (5‑3), in the penalty shootout. For the championship, Stoke City conquered 1 point in 12 possible, after 1 draw and 3 losses in the last 4 games played in its stadium.
For this competition, he doesn’t win 8 games. His defense has not been very solid, since he suffered goals in 7 of the last 8 games, but his attack has scored regularly, since he scored goals in 6 of the last 8 games for this competition. This is a team that usually scores a few times first: he only opened the scoring in 2 of his last 8 matches for the Championship, of these 2 he came to the break in advantage in 1 but never managed to maintain the advantage until the end of the 90’s. In 8 games in this tournament, he suffered the first goal 5 times and never got the comeback.
Stoke arrives on this demotivated day, after being eliminated from the English League Cup by Crawley Town. The house team generally acts in a tactical system in 4-3-3, favoring rapid transitions, mainly through the wings. One of the strengths of the local team is the way in which it takes advantage of the direct free. Keep in mind that Stoke has many difficulties to take advantage of the goal opportunities he manages to create. Coach Nathan Jones should not be able to count on Ryan Shawcross, for being injured. Keep in mind that Joe Allen is also suspended.
Nottingham Forest:
After 4 wins, 3 draws and 1 loss, the away team is currently in 6th position, with 15 points won. In their last match, they won Barnsley at home by (1‑0), after in the previous match they won out, in a match against Swansea City, by (0‑1). This is a stronger team with the support of his fans, since in the last 30 matches he has recorded 5 wins, 4 draws and 6 losses as a visitor, with 13 goals scored and 22 suffered; against 9 wins, 3 draws and 3 losses in his stadium, with 24 goals scored and 11 suffered. In the last match he played, for the League Cup, he lost with Arsenal outside by (5-0). In its last 4 away matches for the championship, Nottingham Forest records 2 wins and 2 draws, so it has won 8 points in 12 possible.
For this competition, he did not lose any of the last 4 away matches. His attack has scored regularly, as he scored at least one goal in each of the last 8 games for this competition. In the last 6 home games for all competitions there is 1 period that stands out: he suffered 4 of his 8 goals between minutes (76′ ‑ 90 ‘).
Nottingham comes to this unmotivated match, after a 5-0 defeat against Arsenal, for the English League Cup. Contrary to the rival of this round, Nottingham generally plays in a 4-3-3, in which the three most advanced players are Yuri Ribeiro, Adomah and Lolley. The visiting club, when it invests in the offensive process, generally does so through the right flank, taking advantage of the depth offered by the Cash side. One of the characteristics of the visiting team is the way in which it takes advantage of the individual talent of its players to create danger. Coach Sabri Lamouchi must have all the players available for this day.
