Stoke City will take on Brighton & Hove Albion in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Tuesday evening.
The Potters defeated League Two sides Hartlepool United and Stevenage Town to reach this stage, while Brighton beat Middlesbrough and the current holders Liverpool.
Match preview
© Reuters
Having finished in the bottom half in each of their four Championship seasons since being relegated from the Premier League in 2018, that trend looks set to continue for Stoke at the end of the current campaign.
Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Millwall has left Alex Neil's side in 17th position in the table, nine points clear of the relegation zone and 13 points adrift of the playoffs, as the club stares another season of lower mid-table mediocrity in the face.
As such, Tuesday's FA Cup tie against a high-flying Brighton side may take on additional emphasis for the former Norwich City boss and his players, as they look to provide their fanbase with some excitement throughout the closing months of the season.
Stoke have never won the FA Cup, but they did reach the final under Tony Pulis in 2010-11, ultimately losing 1-0 to Roberto Mancini's Manchester City as Yaya Toure's late strike proved to be the difference between the two sides on the day.
© Reuters
Brighton, meanwhile, only have one FA Cup final appearance to their name, too, when losing 4-0 in a replay to Manchester United after drawing the first match 2-2 in 1983.
Considering they had finished bottom in England's top flight in the same season, it was a huge surprise that the Seagulls managed to reach that far in the competition.
40 years later, Roberto De Zerbi will sense a real opportunity to create history in what has proven to be a hugely successful season so far, with the club on course for their highest ever finish in the top division.
However, above all else, it is winning silverware that defines campaigns. With Middlesbrough and Liverpool both impressively dispatched in the previous rounds, the Italian will demand that his side do not stumble against an inferior opponent on Tuesday.
Team News
© Reuters
Stoke will remain without Nick Powell due to a serious knee injury, while loanee defender Axel Tuanzebe's leg issue makes his involvement doubtful.
However, Josh Tymon made his comeback from an ankle injury to appear during the second half of his side's defeat to Millwall at the weekend, and the left-back could start as he searches for match fitness.
Brighton, meanwhile, will travel without midfielders Adam Lallana and Jakub Moder, who are both unlikely to feature again this season due to serious hamstring and knee injuries respectively.
Danny Welbeck (ankle) and Levi Colwill (muscle) are also both unlikely to feature as they look to recover from more minor issues, while Pervis Estupinan could be rested after picking up a knock against Fulham last time out.
Stoke City possible starting lineup:
Sarkic; Sterling, Wilmot, Jagielka, Tymon; Thompson, Baker, Clucas; Brown, Gayle, Celina
Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:
Steele; Veltman, Dunk, Webster; Lamptey, Caicedo, Gross, March; Sarmiento, Mitoma; Ferguson
We say: Stoke City 1-3 Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton have become a very entertaining outfit under De Zerbi's stewardship, and we expect the Seagulls to have too much attacking fluency for their Championship opponents on Tuesday.
Indeed, the visitors had the weekend off due to their match against Newcastle United being rescheduled, so they should be far fresher than Stoke on the day.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Brett Curtis
