Stoke - Sheffield United

Viktor Johansson remains the bedrock of the Stoke City defensive unit as the hosts prepare for this matchday 8 Championship clash at Bet365 Stadium on 19 September 2026. After a turbulent start to the campaign, Stoke have found a rhythm, highlighted by their recent 2-1 victory over Watford and a dominant 4-0 win against Charlton Athletic. While Bosun Lawal and Sam Gallagher are sidelined through injury, the expected XI features a robust midfield trio of Justin Devenny, Lamine Cisse, and Jack McGlynn, tasked with controlling the tempo against a visiting side looking to bounce back from a difficult week.

Sheffield United arrive at the Bet365 Stadium following a frustrating midweek EFL Cup exit against Fleetwood Town and a narrow league defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Despite the recent wobble, the visitors possess attacking threats in Patrick Bamford and Ben Brereton Diaz, though they must navigate this fixture without the injured trio of Sam McCallum, Tyrese Campbell, and Femi Seriki. With the Blades looking to improve on their recent league form, the tactical battle in central midfield between Kalvin Phillips and his counterparts will likely dictate the outcome of this encounter.