Overview
- Kick-off is 3pm on Friday, 26 December at the bet365 Stadium, with live coverage on Sky Sports+ and streaming via Sky Go or NOW.
- Preston arrive fifth in the Championship, three points ahead of eighth-placed Stoke, with the congested table offering the winner a route into the top six.
- Preston are without Milutin Osmajic (suspended), Lewis Gibson (thigh), Robbie Brady (calf) and Jamal Lewis (hamstring), with Ali McCann expected to return; Paul Heckingbottom serves the final match of a three-game touchline ban.
- Stoke have late doubts over Lewis Baker (ankle) and Eric Bocat (knee), and Junior Tchamadeu remains unavailable due to Africa Cup of Nations duty with Cameroon.
- Mark Robins notes six defeats in eight heading into the halfway point and says January business depends on tight finances, though the club will try to strengthen if possible.