Defensive decision made: Stoke City team news and predicted XI to face Swansea City
Stoke City are back in Championship action this weekend with an away trip to the Swansea.com Stadium to face Swansea City.
Stoke City head into the game full of confidence on the back of their 6-1 win over Portsmouth last time out at the Bet365 Stadium. Leicester City loanee Tom Cannon scored four against John Mousinho’s side, whilst Sam Gallagher and Andy Moran also got themselves on the scoresheet.
The Potters turned to former Huddersfield Town and Norwich City number two Narcis Pelach as their new manager after deciding to part ways with Steven Schumacher last month. He lost his first two fixtures in charge against Hull City at home and Middlesbrough away.
The Staffordshire outfit will want to find some form now and start climbing up the league table. They are currently sat in 15th place and are six points off the play-offs after their first eight matches of the campaign.
Stoke City team news
As per StokeOnTrentLive, Stoke City will need to make checks on winger Million Manhoef and he wasn’t in the squad against Portsmouth. Gallagher and Ashley Phillips are back.
However, Bosun Lawal, Lynden Gooch and Ben Pearson are ruled out.
Predicted XI
Johansson; Wilmot, Rose, Gibson, Stevens; Moran, Burger; Koumas, Bae; Gallagher, Cannon
Stoke City signed Viktor Johansson from Rotherham United over the summer to bolster their goalkeeping department and he will keep his place between the sticks.
In defence, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the back four of Ben Wilmot, Michael Rose, Ben Gibson and Enda Stevens stay the same.
Brighton loan man Moran came into the team last time out and looked sharp alongside Wouter Burger in the middle of the park.
Going forward, the Potters have some dangerous options to pick from and they will be looking to cause Swansea City some problems.
Lewis Koumas looks to have a bright future ahead of him in the game and is being borrowed from Liverpool. Meanwhile, Bae Jun-ho is in the hunt for his first goal of the new campaign.
Gallagher got a goal against Portsmouth and the former Blackburn Rovers man will want to build on that now.
Meanwhile, Cannon will be eager to add to his tally.
