Stoke City FC - Preston North End FC ai prediction 31.10.2026 Championship

Preview for match Stoke City vs Preston North End

Stoke City welcome Preston North End to the bet365 Stadium on Saturday, 31 October 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 13:30. The Championship fixture is part of matchday 13 and brings together two sides whose early-season fortunes have been markedly different. Stoke enter the contest in ninth place with 20 points from 12 matches, while Preston are bottom of the table in 24th, having collected only five points. Those standings make the hosts clear favourites, although the visitors’ recent draw against West Bromwich Albion offers a small sign of resistance after a difficult run.

Mark Robins’s Stoke have won six, drawn two and lost four league matches, scoring 18 goals and conceding 16. Their home record is reasonably solid, with three victories, one draw and two defeats from six games. They will be looking to turn that platform into another valuable result in front of their supporters. Preston, coached by Graham Alexander, have managed one win, two draws and nine defeats. Their goal difference of 10:25 highlights difficulties at both ends of the pitch, and their away record is particularly concerning: one draw and five losses, with no victories.

The recent head-to-head record is more balanced than the league table might suggest. Across the last five meetings in all competitions, Stoke and Preston have each won once, while three matches ended level. Preston also won the most recent encounter, a 3–1 home victory. Stoke’s stronger current form and home advantage nevertheless make them the more convincing choice for this meeting. Preston will need to defend with discipline and make better use of their opportunities if they are to challenge the hosts.

Our betting tip for Stoke City vs Preston North End

Our betting prediction is a Stoke City home win, or Tip 1. Stoke’s 20-point tally and ninth-place position compare favourably with Preston’s five points and bottom-place standing. The hosts have also produced the stronger recent sequence, while Preston have yet to win away from home this season. Stoke’s six home matches have brought three wins, and their overall attacking return of 18 goals suggests they have the capacity to trouble a defence that has conceded 25 times.

Our second tip is Both teams to score: Yes. This selection carries some risk, given Preston’s struggles for goals and the fact that they have lost five of six away matches. However, Stoke have conceded 16 goals in 12 league games, so the visitors may find an opportunity if they can take advantage of a transition or a set piece. The best available prices listed for these selections are 1.76 for Tip 1 at Bet9ja and 1.85 for Both Teams to Score — Yes at Paripesa. Odds can change, so check the current price and terms before placing a bet.

Our tips

Total Goals

Over 2.5

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 3 of Stoke City's last 5 matches.

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 3 of Preston North End's last 5 matches.

Top odds at 1xBet

Double Chance

1X

Stoke City have won or drawn 4 of their last 5 matches.

Preston North End have drawn or lost 5 of their last 5 matches.

Top odds at Betway

Total Goals

Over 1.5

There have been over 1.5 goals scored in 3 of Stoke City's last 5 matches.

There have been over 1.5 goals scored in 4 of Preston North End's last 5 matches.

Top odds at Bet9ja

AI prediction for Stoke City vs Preston North End

Based on the supplied league positions, goals and recent form, the AI forecast favours Stoke City in the 1X2 market. Stoke have won three of their last five matches, whereas Preston have not won any of their last five. The home side’s stronger scoring record and Preston’s poor away results reinforce the case for a Stoke victory. The AI tip is 1 — Stoke City to win.

A plausible correct-score prediction is Stoke City 2–1 Preston North End. This scoreline reflects the substantial difference between the teams’ overall campaigns while allowing for the possibility that Preston can score. It is a statistical-style forecast rather than a guarantee; football results remain uncertain, and the previous 3–1 Preston win shows that the recent head-to-head history should not be ignored.

Stoke City performance check

Stoke’s ninth-place position reflects a positive start, although their record is not without setbacks. Six wins and two draws from 12 matches have helped them establish themselves in the upper half of the table, but four defeats and 16 goals conceded indicate room for improvement. Their 18 goals scored provide a useful attacking foundation, and the team’s recent run of three wins, one draw and one defeat across all competitions suggests they are generally in better rhythm than their opponents.

At the bet365 Stadium, Stoke have taken three wins from six league fixtures, alongside one draw and two defeats. That is a respectable but not dominant home record, so Mark Robins will want his players to approach this match with focus rather than assume the standings alone will decide it. A controlled performance, particularly in defensive transitions, should give the hosts a strong opportunity to secure the points.

Preston North End current performance

Preston’s campaign has been difficult. Graham Alexander’s side sit 24th with five points, having recorded one win, two draws and nine defeats. They have scored 10 goals and conceded 25, leaving them with a significant goal difference deficit. Their away record is especially troubling: Preston have not won on the road, drawing once and losing five times.

Their last-five-match form across all competitions is also a concern, with two draws and three defeats and no victories. The most recent draw against West Bromwich Albion may provide some encouragement, but Preston will need greater consistency and more threat in the final third to turn that result into a sustained recovery. Against Stoke, limiting space and avoiding early mistakes will be important if they are to remain competitive.

Last direct match

The most recent meeting ended in a 3–1 home victory for Preston North End. That result gives the visitors a reminder that they have previously been able to hurt Stoke, despite the contrast in their current league positions. It also offers the hosts a reason to take the fixture seriously and avoid allowing Preston to gain confidence early.

Head-to-head last direct meetings

The last five meetings between Stoke City and Preston North End in all competitions have been evenly balanced overall. Stoke have recorded one win, Preston have also won once, and the other three matches have ended in draws. This pattern suggests the fixture has often been competitive, even though the present table and form figures favour Stoke. The recent 3–1 Preston success is the only result in this set that clearly separated the teams.

Performance in the last five matches

Stoke’s last five matches across all competitions have produced three wins, one draw and one defeat. That record points to a team with positive momentum, even if it has not been entirely consistent. Preston, by contrast, have drawn twice and lost three times in their last five, without recording a victory. The contrast in recent results supports the home side as the stronger betting choice, while Preston’s two draws suggest they may still be capable of making the contest difficult.

Performance

Stoke City

Last games

Stoke City performance of the last 5 home matches

Victories

60%

Over 2.5

60%

Preston North End

Last games

Preston North End performance of the last 5 away matches

Victories

0%

Over 2.5

80%

Last match results

Stoke City’s most recent match was a 0–0 home draw against Bristol City. The result added a point but also meant the hosts did not convert their home advantage into a victory. Preston’s latest fixture ended 1–1 at home against West Bromwich Albion. That draw halted the immediate prospect of another defeat, although Preston remain without a win in their last five matches.

Best odds and betting markets

The listed best odds are 1.76 for a Stoke City win (Tip 1) at Bet9ja, 3.90 for the draw (Tip X) at Mozzart, and 4.60 for a Preston North End win (Tip 2) at Betano. For the both-teams-to-score market, Paripesa offers 1.85 on Yes, while Bet9ja lists 2.02 on No. These prices reflect the market’s preference for Stoke while still recognising that a goal from Preston is possible.

Odds and market availability may vary between operators and can change before kick-off. From our experience comparing betting sites, it is sensible to review the terms, current prices and available markets before deciding where to place a wager. You can find the best betting sites in Africa and compare options through our bookmaker comparison. Please bet responsibly and only stake what you can afford to lose.

Conclusion and final prediction

Stoke City have the stronger overall case going into this match. They are 15 points ahead of Preston, have scored eight more goals and arrive with three wins from their last five matches. Their home record is not flawless, but Preston’s away form is substantially weaker, with five defeats and no victories in six outings. Those factors make the hosts the logical favourites at the bet365 Stadium.

Preston’s recent draw and their 3–1 win in the last direct meeting are reasons not to dismiss them entirely. Nevertheless, their season-long defensive record and lack of recent wins leave them with a difficult task. The recommended main selection is Stoke City to win (Tip 1), with Both Teams to Score: Yes as the secondary option. A 2–1 home victory is a reasonable score prediction, although the outcome cannot be guaranteed.

Here are the best football tips for tomorrow: review the latest fixtures, team news and odds before making any betting decisions.