The biggest game of the Championship this weekend sees Stoke City take on Bristol City and it by far both sides most important of the season so far. With Stoke ahead by just one point the result is crucial to both sides. But who will be victorious on the day?
Results in the Championship this season have been unpredictable all season and I do not expect this to change on Saturday. Both sides have not enjoyed the best of form in recent weeks with City only winning once in their last eight games and Stoke have failed to win at home for three games. Tony Pulis’s side did however win away against Coventry last weekend, which will be a huge confidence boost. City, on the other hand have lost their previous two away games and we are struggling to hit the back of the net. But surely our luck has got to change?
Stoke will present one of the sternest tests of the season as they will be desperate to claim second spot and a win against City would go a long way to achieving this. They also have two prolific players who can score goals in Fuller and Lawrence, and they will pose a big threat to our defence. But, although we may not be firing on all cylinders up front, we certainly know how to defend.
Despite them being ahead of us in the league, they are at home and pressure will hopefully be on them to produce a performance. As the away side I expect us to be solid in the first half and frustrate the home crowd. With Stoke anticipating their biggest home crowd of season with 20,000 plus expectant supporters, it is sure to a hostile atmosphere, but we should have 2,000 fans offering their support.
When City played host to Stoke back in October, we won 1-0, a Marvin Elliot stunner winning the game and I would gladly settle for another 1-0 this weekend. But whatever the result, nothing will be decided this weekend. The Championship has offered many surprise results this season and I am sure there will be a few more twists and turns before the final game of the season. It could be that neither side secures one of the automatic places and we may end up playing each other again in the play-offs. Hull, who currently stand between City and Stoke are in fantastic form and they will not give up their place without a fight. The only thing I can be certain of is that it will be great entertainment and with no football to watch in the summer, I don’t want it to end.
ANDY DAVIES
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