Predictions for the Championship game Stoke City vs. Preston North End

Stoke City FC - Preston North End FC betting tip & best odds | 31.10.2026

Saturday’s Championship meeting between Stoke City and Preston North End kicks off at 13:30 on 31 October 2026 at the bet365 Stadium. Stoke arrive in ninth place with 20 points, while Preston are 24th with five. Our main prediction is a home win.

Our betting tips for Stoke City vs Preston

• Stoke City to win (Tip 1) — odds: 1.73
  Stoke’s stronger league position and recent form make the home side the preferred selection in this betting tip. They have won three of their last five matches, compared with none for Preston, and the visitors have yet to win away this season. Stoke’s home record is not flawless, but their overall results offer a persuasive case for backing them to take all three points.
• Both teams to score — Yes, odds: 1.85
  Stoke have scored 18 goals in 12 league matches, while Preston have conceded 25, so the home team should have opportunities. Preston have managed only 10 goals overall, but their recent 1–1 draw with West Bromwich Albion shows they can still find a way onto the scoresheet. This secondary sports betting tip carries some risk, yet a goal from each side is a reasonable possibility.

For betting tips today, the home win is our main pick, with both teams to score as a complementary option. As with any football bets today, these predictions are based on the supplied form and odds, and outcomes are never guaranteed.

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Comparing the best odds for the match

The listed prices give Stoke a clear edge: Paripesa offers 1.73 for a home win, while Mozzart lists the draw at 3.90 and Afropari prices a Preston victory at 4.60. For the goals market, Paripesa has 1.85 on both teams to score, and 1win offers 1.90 on no. Our experience comparing bookmakers is that prices and market availability can vary, so it is worth checking the terms and current odds before placing a bet. Visit our best betting sites page to compare options. Odds can change before kick-off.

Stoke City performance check

Stoke have made the more convincing start to the campaign, collecting 20 points from 12 matches to sit ninth. Their record of six wins, two draws and four defeats shows a side capable of putting together productive spells, although the 18 goals scored and 16 conceded suggest there is room to tighten up at both ends. At the bet365 Stadium, they have won three, drawn one and lost two, a respectable return that gives them a foundation for this fixture without making them certain winners.

Mark Robins’s side come into the game with three wins, one draw and one defeat across their last five matches in all competitions. Their most recent outing ended 0–0 at home to Bristol City. The clean sheet is a positive, but Stoke will want to turn their attacking possession into clearer chances after failing to score. Against a Preston defence that has conceded 25 league goals, this could be an opportunity to rediscover their finishing touch.

Preston North End’s current form

Preston’s position at the foot of the table reflects a difficult opening: they have five points from 12 matches, with one win, two draws and nine defeats. Their goal difference is also a concern, having scored 10 and conceded 25. The away record is particularly troubling for Graham Alexander’s team: five defeats and one draw from six trips, with no victories so far.

Preston have not won any of their last five matches in all competitions, drawing twice and losing three times. Their latest result was a 1–1 home draw against West Bromwich Albion, which at least brought a goal and a point. However, the broader trend remains challenging, especially given their defensive record. Alexander will need a more compact display on the road, while also finding a way to support the attack if Preston are to threaten Stoke consistently.

What the recent head-to-head record says

The last five meetings between the clubs have been closely balanced: Stoke have one win, Preston have one, and three matches ended level. That pattern suggests the fixture has often been competitive, rather than dominated by either side. The most recent meeting, in both the all-competitions and Championship records provided, finished 3–1 to Preston at home. That result is a reminder that Stoke cannot take the visitors lightly, even with the current gap in form and league position.

Match conclusion and prediction

Stoke have the stronger case heading into this Matchday 13 encounter. They are higher in the standings, have recorded three victories in their last five, and face a Preston side still searching for its first away win. The visitors’ recent draw may offer a little encouragement, and their previous 3–1 victory in this fixture is a reason not to dismiss them outright. Still, the overall evidence points towards the home team having more consistency and a better chance of controlling the match.

Our prediction is a Stoke City win, with the home side favoured to make its advantage count at the bet365 Stadium. Both teams to score is a plausible secondary pick, given Stoke’s scoring record and Preston’s need to take risks, although the visitors’ modest goal return makes it less secure than the main selection. If you are looking ahead to other fixtures, our betting tips for tomorrow can help you explore more sports betting ideas.