Stoke City vs Burnley: Pre-Season Friendly Preview
Stoke City is wrapping up its pre-season preparations with a final friendly match against newly promoted Premier League side, Burnley, this Saturday at the Bet365 Stadium. After a tough run last season, the Potters are looking to build momentum and secure a positive result before their Championship season kicks off against Derby County.
Last week, Mark Robins's squad faced off against another Premier League opponent, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and they'll be hoping for another strong performance. This match is a crucial final tune-up to see how the new additions to the team are gelling.
Can Stoke City Find Their Form?
Following their worst league finish since the 2002-03 season, Stoke City is eager to turn things around. They're hoping that giving manager Mark Robins a full pre-season will be the key to a better campaign. The team has struggled since their relegation from the Premier League, finishing between 14th and 18th in the Championship for seven consecutive seasons.
A major issue for the Potters has been their lack of firepower. Last season, they scored only 45 goals in 46 games, a total only better than Hull City. This offensive struggle has led to a dip in attendance and a general feeling of frustration among fans. While Robins has a strong track record, having taken Coventry City to the brink of the Premier League, many are skeptical he can work the same magic with this Stoke side without a significant turnaround.
This weekend's match against Burnley is a repeat of a fixture from last season, where Burnley won 2-0 on their way to promotion.
Burnley's Premier League Return
Burnley are back in the top flight after an impressive campaign that saw them finish with 100 points, just shy of the title. Manager Scott Parker is now tasked with keeping them in the Premier League, a challenge that has proven difficult for the club in the past. Their last two stints in the Premier League both ended in relegation, and they are once again among the favorites to go down.
Burnley's friendly against Stoke is part of their final preparations before their Premier League season begins against Tottenham Hotspur on August 16. The team is also set to host Italian giants Lazio next weekend. Burnley's pre-season started last week with two friendlies, where one squad drew 2-2 with Shrewsbury Town and another defeated Huddersfield Town 2-0.
New Faces on Both Sides
Both Stoke and Burnley have been active in the transfer market, adding new talent to their rosters.
For Stoke City, despite fan discontent, the club has backed manager Mark Robins. Notable new signings include forward Robert Bozenik from Boavista, striker Divin Mubama on loan from Manchester City, and experienced players like Aaron Cresswell, Sorba Thomas, and Maksym Talovierov. The team will also be boosted by the return of Eric Bocat, who missed the end of last season due to injury.
Burnley has also been busy, rebuilding for another shot at the Premier League. Their most significant addition is defender Kyle Walker. Other new arrivals include Quilindschy Hartman, Jacob Bruun Larsen, and Loum Tchaouna, who will add depth and quality on the wings. However, they will be without some key players from last season, as CJ Egan-Riley has moved to Marseille and goalkeeper James Trafford is set to join Manchester City. Injuries also sideline Bashir Humphreys, Jordan Beyer, and Benson Manuel.
Will Stoke's new signings make an immediate impact, or will Burnley's Premier League quality be too much to handle? We'll find out this Saturday!
