Stoke City play host to Huddersfield Town on Wednesday evening looking for a win which they require to move clear of the Championship relegation zone.
Although the Potters occupy 19th spot in the standings, they sit just six points clear of their 23rd-placed opponents, who can progress out of the bottom three with a victory at the bet365 Stadium.
Match preview
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After the appointment of Alex Neil, Stoke supporters had expected to be challenging for the playoffs at this stage of the season, yet their side are more concerned about dropping down to the third tier.
On the back of just two wins in 10 matches, Stoke now sit just six points clear of bottom spot ahead of facing opponents who can now be considered to be a direct rival.
Neil would have hoped that a morale-boosting win could be posted on Saturday, only for a goalless draw to be played out with a resurgent Hull City side.
The Tigers are a good example of a team who can quickly build momentum to remain as outsiders for promotion, but Stoke are losing that opportunity with every match.
Although the gap to sixth place is just 12 points, just 16 matches remain, and Neil and his squad will only be focused on ensuring that they give no further encouragement to the teams below them.
Last week, Huddersfield made the decision to part ways with Mark Fotheringham in the hope that it would act as the catalyst for change ahead of a showdown with relegation rivals Wigan Athletic.
Instead, the Terriers went down to a late 1-0 defeat, subsequently allowing the Latics to move ahead of them in the table courtesy of their lengthy winless streak being brought to an end.
Huddersfield's run has been extended to seven games, albeit with three draws included, and interim boss Narcis Pelach is under no illusions regarding the size of the task in front of him.
While he is taking the Yorkshire side to play opponents who possess a poor home record, Huddersfield hold the worst away return in the division.
Team News
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Having gone with a negative strategy to repel Hull, Neil could change his tactics for this contest, with Will Smallbone potentially dropping out of the Stoke team.
Lewis Baker is in line to earn a recall, while Bersant Celina may feature in the final third if Jordan Thompson also misses out on selection.
Dujon Sterling will continue at left wing-back with Josh Tymon on the sidelines, and Jacob Brown is also in contention to start down the centre of the attack.
With Ollie Turton having been withdrawn in the early stages versus Wigan, William Boyle appears in line to replace him at either right-back or in a back three.
Jordan Rhodes could replace Martyn Waghorn in attack, while Josh Koroma will hope to feature on the flank after remaining as an unused substitute at the weekend.
Stoke City possible starting lineup:
Sarkic; Wilmot, Jagielka, Fox; Hoever, Baker, Laurent, Sterling; Campbell, Brown, Celina
Huddersfield Town possible starting lineup:
Vaclik; Boyle, Lees, Pearson, Ruffels; Rudoni, Hogg, Camara; Koroma, Rhodes, Knockaert
We say: Stoke City 1-0 Huddersfield Town
This has all the makings of an uninspiring game with each team having shown little form in the Championship. However, Stoke do still possess quality in attack, and that could prove crucial in edging this contest by the odd goal.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
