Looking to continue their unbeaten run since the appointment of Steven Schumacher, Stoke City will host Ipswich Town at the bet365 Stadium on New Year's Day in the Championship.
The Potters forced a share of the spoils at Watford on Friday night, while the Tractor Boys played out a goalless draw with Queens Park Rangers on the same day.
Match preview
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Following the appointment of 39-year-old Schumacher as a permanent successor for the departed Alex Neil, Stoke have collected a solid four points from their last three Championship fixtures, with Monday's hosts earning a 1-1 draw at Valerien Ismael's Watford on Friday night.
Former West Bromwich Albion captain Jake Livermore opened the scoring for the Hornets in the 15th minute, but the Potters were able to hit back prior to the half-time whistle in order to force a share of the points, with Ryan Mmaee netting his third strike of the second-tier campaign.
After a steady beginning to life under the leadership of Schumacher, Stoke have moved up slightly to 19th in the Championship standings with 28 points from 25 games, possessing a seven-point advantage over Marti Cifuentes's QPR who occupy the highest of the relegation places.
The Potters have failed to win any of their last five matches at the bet365 Stadium ahead of welcoming promotion-chasing Ipswich to Staffordshire on Monday, with the Midlands side's most recent success in front of their own supporters coming against Daniel Farke's Leeds United on October 25.
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After a run of four-straight victories in the Championship up until December 12, the festive cheer has run out on the blue side of East Anglia, with Ipswich Town now four games without a win following a shock 0-0 draw against QPR at Portman Road in their final fixture of 2023.
Having won just one of their last five second-tier contests, Kiernan McKenna's Tractor Boys have slipped to eight points behind league leaders Leicester City and just three points ahead of third-placed Southampton, who are enjoying a remarkable 17-game unbeaten streak under Russell Martin.
Ipswich's usual starting XI has been hampered by injuries and the congested nature of the fixture schedule over Christmas, but the required changes have allowed the likes of Cameron Humphreys and Dominic Ball rare chances in the side recently, albeit without helping the team return maximum points.
Unsurprisingly, the Tractor Boys fared better at their Portman Road base but are no pushovers on their Championship travels, collecting 24 points from 12 second-tier outings, including standout successes at Watford and Michael Carrick's Middlesbrough at the start of December.
Team News
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Stoke could make a change at right-back for the visit of the Tractor Boys on Monday, with Ki-Jana Hoever targeting Junior Tchamadeu's spot.
Ben Pearson made a full return from injury to start alongside the towering Wouter Burger in the Potters' engine room last time out, and the former Preston North End man should retain his spot here.
Schumacher's side remain without the services of ex-Sheffield United defender Enda Stevens, meaning Jordan Thompson could start at left-back once again.
Ipswich have suffered a major injury blow in recent weeks, with leading marksman George Hirst sidelined until late January due to a hamstring injury.
The absence of the Englishman means Freddie Ladapo and Kayden Jackson will fight for the right to lead the Tractor Boys' attack, with the former starting on Friday night.
Nathan Broadhead was rested completely against QPR and should return to the XI on Monday, probably at the expense of Marcus Harness on the left flank.
Stoke City possible starting lineup:
Bonham; Hoever, McNally, Rose, Thompson; Pearson, Burger, Vidigal, Bae, Haksabanovic; Mmaee
Ipswich Town possible starting lineup:
Hladky; Williams, Woolfenden, Burgess, Humphreys; Taylor, Luongo, Hutchinson, Chaplin, Broadhead; Jackson
We say: Stoke City 1-2 Ipswich Town
Stoke have been impressive since the arrival of Schumacher, but the visit of Ipswich is the hardest assessment the Potters have faced under the leadership of the Liverpudlian.
The Tractor Boys are beginning to stall as the season rolls into 2024, but we believe that they will be good enough to earn maximum points on Monday.
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Top tip
Carter White
