Stoke - Norwich

Can Stoke City find defensive stability when they host Norwich City at the Bet365 Stadium on 1 September 2026? The hosts face a challenging matchday 4 following a difficult run of results, including a heavy defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers. The expected XI for Stoke sees Viktor Johansson in goal behind a defensive line of Ben Johnson, Ben Wilmot, and Eric Bocat, while Sorba Thomas and Jun-Ho Bae are tasked with providing creativity in midfield to support Sam Gallagher and George Hirst up front.

Norwich City arrive in a buoyant mood after a convincing win over Burnley showcased their attacking potential. With Mohamed Toure spearheading the line and Kenny McLean anchoring the midfield, the visitors will look to exploit any gaps in the Stoke backline. Having previously shared the points in a 1-1 draw on 27 September 2025, both sides will be eager to assert control in this Championship encounter.