Burkina Faso
Czech Republic
Lithuania
Montenegro
Nigeria
North Macedonia
United Arab Emirates

ChesterChester FCvs.StokeStoke City

sportsmole.co.uk, 9 July 2024, 12:45
Stoke City commence their pre-season campaign with a trip to Chester FC on Thursday night.

While the Championship outfit are playing their first fixture of the month, their National League North opponents gave a positive account of themselves against another EFL side at the weekend.

Match preview

Although Steven Schumacher was able to successfully avoid relegation in 2023-24, he is under no illusions that a promotion push is expected this time around.

On the back of ending the campaign with three consecutive wins, there is momentum on Stoke's side, and Schumacher will want to maintain that over the coming weeks.

This is the first of five away matches in a row, the others coming against Cork City, Crewe Alexandra, Stockport County and Bolton Wanderers, with a home showdown against Dutch side AZ Alkmaar concluding their preparations.

As it stands, their three summer additions have come at the back, with goalkeeper Viktor Johansson, Norwich City centre-back Ben Gibson and Sint-Truiden defender Eric Bocat all making the switch to the Bet365 Stadium.

Further signings will be made in due course, but the expectation is that there will be a fresh look to this team once the start of the next second-tier campaign comes around.

Meanwhile, Chester are preparing for another campaign in the sixth tier having missed out on the National League playoffs last time out.

Although 69 points came from 46 outings, the North-West outfit fell six point short, leaving Calum McIntyre to try to put together a squad capable of improving on that 10th-placed showing.

Chester have already played one fixture ahead of next season, going down at home to Stockport by a 3-2 scoreline at the weekend.

This is the headline act of their schedule, with fixtures to come against FC Isle of Man, Lancaster City, Altrincham and and Macclesfield Town.

Chester FC friendly form:

Team News

With over a week of training under their belts, the expectation is that Schumacher will use as many senior Stoke players as possible.

As well as wanting to integrate the three new signings, Schumacher may also wish to look at some younger talent, particularly Sol Sidibe who has turned down interest from other clubs to pen a professional contract.

Of Chester's new arrivals, only goalkeeper Cameron Mason and midfielder Jack Bainbridge started the meeting with Stockport.

Several others were used off the substitutes' bench, with only two outfield players completing the 90 minutes. More of the same will be expected for this match.

We say: Chester FC 1-3 Stoke City

With Chester having some miles in their legs, we expect them to push the Potters all the way in front of their own fans. However, at some point, the superior quality of the visitors may come through, earning them a victory in the process.

Previews by email
Show more

Top News

24 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly joined the race for Athletic Bilbao attacker Nico Williams ahead of the summer window. 24 March 2025 talksport.com Dwight Gayle was labelled disrespectful for his attack on former Newcastle boss Steve Bruce in a recent interview. 24 March 2025 talksport.com Jermain Defoe revealed he was close to joining the legendary 2000s Juventus side before his return to Tottenham Hotspur. 24 March 2025 talksport.com Chelsea owner Todd Boehly expects the club will move to a new stadium in the future but conceded it is a 'really complex' situation. 24 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Newcastle United defender Tino Livramento has reportedly been left out of the England squad for Monday's World Cup 2026 qualifier with Latvia at Wembley, but Thomas Tuchel has recalled two other players. 24 March 2025 talksport.com Barcelona's Raphinha oozes confidence ahead of facing Argentina in international clash as the Ballon d'Or speculation continues. 24 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Nelson Semedo has insisted that he is 'still thinking' about his future at Molineux. 24 March 2025 talksport.com A staggering 43 managers have been either sacked or left clubs in the Premier League and EFL so far this season. 24 March 2025 talksport.com Lamine Yamal lowered his shorts after scoring against the Netherlands to mock Rafael van der Vaart's criticism of the teenager. 24 March 2025 talksport.com A brand new football competition begins tonight as some of the sport's legends combine with famous faces for six-a-side action. 24 March 2025 talksport.com A brand new football competition begins tonight as some of the sport's legends combine with famous faces for six-a-side action. 24 March 2025 talksport.com Jadon Sancho could still end up back at Manchester United next season as the winger faces criticism over his Chelsea spell. 24 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool attacker Federico Chiesa has been told that he is "doing great" at Anfield by his father and former footballer Enrico. 24 March 2025 talksport.com It's been a international break to forget for the USMNT. 24 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool are reportedly willing to part ways with one of their prospects to bolster their chances of signing Bournemouth attacker Antoine Semenyo. 24 March 2025 talksport.com Dominik Szoboszlai does his research before trolling. 24 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk England will be aiming to avoid suffering an unwanted 66-year first when they square off with Latvia in Monday's World Cup 2026 qualifier at Wembley. 24 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk All transfer business is done and dusted for this season, but that doesn't stop clubs from preparing ahead for next season. 24 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Lithuania vs. Finland (Monday, 5.00pm) Aiming to extend their successful start to World Cup qualifying, Finland will visit Lithuania on Monday evening, for the second game of their Group G campaign. 24 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea will reportedly have to pay a penalty price of £5m if they renege on their obligation to sign Jadon Sancho in the summer transfer window. 24 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly braced for competition from Tottenham Hotspur for the signature of Sunderland's Chris Rigg. 23 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Virgil Van Dijk has reportedly decided to end his time at Liverpool, with Paris Saint-Germain touted as a likely destination. 23 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Virgil Van Dijk has reportedly decided to end his time at Liverpool, with Paris Saint-Germain touted as a likely destination. 23 March 2025 talksport.com Chelsea must pay Manchester United £5million if they don't sign Jadon Sancho on a permanent deal this summer, talkSPORT understands. 23 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk France dramatically completed a terrific UEFA Nations League comeback over Croatia as they reached the semi-finals with a 5-4 penalty-shootout win following a 2-0 quarter-final second-leg victory and 2-2 aggregate draw at the Stade de France. 23 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Portugal advanced into the UEFA Nations League semi-finals after beating Denmark 5-2 in the second leg at home on Sunday night, winning 5-3 on aggregate after extra time. 23 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Spain booked their spot in the semi-finals of the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League courtesy of a penalty-shootout success over the Netherlands on Sunday night, with the two teams finally being separated after two blockbuster contests. 23 March 2025 talksport.com Michael Owen has revealed the formation he would have gone with to unlock the best of England's Golden Generation. 23 March 2025 talksport.com Phil Parkinson says win, lose or draw, Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have his back. 23 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Julian Nagelsmann's Germany scraped into the semi-final of the UEFA Nations League after drawing 3-3 in a dramatic quarter-final second leg against Italy at Signal Iduna Park on Sunday night.