It’s been a tough start to life back in the Sky Bet Championship for Stoke City, with Gary Rowett’s side set for another stern test this weekend when they travel to Preston North End.
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The Potters have picked up just a single point from their opening two fixtures of the season, suffering a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Leeds United, before Brentford held them to a 1-1 draw at the bet365 Stadium last weekend.
In Preston, Rowett’s side will be up against another solid Championship side, who under Alex Neil, continue to punch well above their weight in the division.
On paper, Stoke’s side looks a lot stronger than Preston’s, but Neil’s side, particularly in midfield, have some of the Championship’s best.
With that in mind, we take a look at both squads ahead of this weekend, selecting what we believe is the strongest combined XI…
Butland is an England international, and although he hasn’t enjoyed the best start to the season, his quality can’t be debated.
Bauer is a very good right-back at Championship level, who over the course of the season, will prove his worth to Stoke.
Stoke did incredibly well to keep hold of Shawcross this summer, with the one-time England international sure to be key over the course of the season.
Preston have some good centre-backs, but stepping down into the Championship, Martins Indi is a high-profile name.
Left-back is something of a problem position for Stoke, so Hughes makes it into our side.
He’s enjoyed a good start to his Preston career on the left.
Pearson has excelled for North End in central midfield, with the 23-year-old earning himself plenty of plaudits.
He makes our side over ex-Man United midfielder, Darren Fletcher.
Allen is perhaps the Championship’s best central midfielder. It was a major coup Stoke keeping hold of him this summer.
Browne scored nine goals across all competitions for Preston last season, and this year, he’s already made a goalscoring start to the season.
He’s proved his ability at this level, so makes our team.
Ince has the ability to create something out of nothing, and Rowett will be hoping that he starts having more of an impact in the coming weeks for Stoke.
Afobe has two goals in two games already for Stoke, with the ex-Wolves striker looking to get back to his clinical best.
If he finds that level, he will be amongst the Championship’s leading scorers.
McClean has made a steady start to life with Stoke, but still looks short of his best.
Like Ince, Rowett will be hoping he starts justifying his transfer fee in the coming weeks.