Stoke City welcome Premier League Everton to the Bet365 Stadium for a pre-season friendly on Saturday.
Both clubs endured disappointing seasons during 2022-23, and neither have been wholly convincing in pre-season yet.
Match preview
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Everton's well-documented profligacy in front of goal has been evident again in their recent warm-up matches.
In games against Stade Nyonnais, Wigan Athletic and Bolton Wanderers, the Toffees have scored just three goals - one of which was a penalty.
Their quiet transfer window means the often-criticised Neal Maupay has started all three friendlies so far, given Dominic Calvert-Lewin's continued absence.
Despite another clean sheet at Bolton on Tuesday, Everton were fortunate not to concede and had stand-in goalkeeper Joao Virginia to thank for some fine stops.
Ashley Young and Arnaut Danjuma have been Everton's only additions so far this summer - neither of whom warranted a transfer fee - and no central defenders have been added despite the departures of Yerry Mina and Conor Coady.
Everton's lingering issues up top remain glaring too, despite Danjuma's experience at playing as a central striker.
Calvert-Lewin cannot stay fit, Maupay is heavily castigated by the Everton fanbase, and Ellis Simms has been moved on, so it makes the news that El Bilal Toure has agreed terms with Atalanta even more tough to take.
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For Stoke, this is their final game in preparation for the new season, with the EFL starting a week earlier than the Premier League.
Rotherham United await Alex Neil's side in the season opener next weekend, and the Potters will hope for a huge improvement on last season.
Two points from their final seven games saw Stoke slump to a 16th-placed finish, so Neil will need a positive response.
Pre-season has not gone too well though, despite a 1-0 win at Burton Albion in midweek.
Stoke were thrashed at Derby County the week prior, and they were also held to a draw by Levante.
Team News
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As the season gets closer, Sean Dyche will hope to welcome back more of his first-team players, as Everton named 13 youngsters on their bench against Bolton.
The Everton faithful will hope to get a first glance at new man Danjuma, who was signed on loan from Villarreal last week.
James Garner and Jarrad Branthwaite may also get their first run outs of pre-season after representing England Under-21s over the summer.
Jordan Pickford, Idrissa Gueye, Seamus Coleman and Vitalii Mykolenko were among the players who missed their trip to Bolton in midweek.
Demarai Gray and Mason Holgate were also absent as transfer speculation around the players intensifies.
Stoke's lineup will likely be what Neil will hope to field in their season opener next weekend.
Two of their most notable incomings have been loanees from Wolverhampton Wanderers, with both Chiquinho and Ki-Jana Hoever playing in the win over Burton.
Striker Tyrese Campbell will face the club where his father Kevin is much adored, having played for the Toffees in the late 1990s.
Stoke City possible starting lineup:
Bonham; Tymon, Rose, Hoever, Wilmot, Stevens; Pearson, Laurent; Brown, Campbell, Chiquinho
Everton possible starting lineup:
Joao Virginia; Patterson, Keane, Tarkowski, Young; Iwobi, Onana, Garner, Doucoure, McNeil; Danjuma
We say: Stoke City 1-1 Everton
With the season getting closer, both sides may up the intensity after some lacklustre displays so far in pre-season, but Everton's striking woes may continue
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Andrew Delaney
