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Stoke City face Brighton & Hove Albion at BET365 Stadium in a Third Round clash in the 2023-24 FA Cup.
Victory would see Stoke avoid a sixth Third Round exit in eight seasons, whilst Brighton seek to avoid crashing out at this stage for the first time since 2019-20 campaign.
Team News
Jordan Thompson is suspended for Stoke as he serves an one-match ban following his red card in their goalless draw at home to Ipswich.
Tyrese Campbell (knock) could return but Ben Pearson (unspecified) is a doubt whilst Lynden Gooch (unspecified) is ruled out.
Frank Fielding (calf), Enda Stevens (leg) and Emre Tezgel (quad) remain absent.
Brighton will welcome Lewis Dunk back into their defence after he missed their goalless draw at West Ham, due to an one-match ban after he picked up his fifth yellow card of the league campaign.
Adam Webster is expected to be available after he made an unexpected return in East London, although he was substituted with cramp in the second half.
Tariq Lamptey, Ansu Fati (both muscle), Igor (knock), Simon Adingra (hamstring), Kaoru Mitoma (ankle), Joel Veltman, Solly March and Julio Enciso (all knee) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Stoke host Brighton at BET365 Stadium in a 3pm GMT kick-off on Saturday 6 January, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Stoke have won one of two previous FA Cup meetings against Brighton (W1, L1).
- Brighton won their most recent FA Cup visit to Stoke by a 1-0 result in February 2023, having lost 3-0 in February 2011.
- Each of Stoke’s two previous FA Cup ties against Brighton have been played at the BET365 Stadium, with the winning team having kept a clean sheet on both occasions.
- Stoke have won two of their last five home games against top-flight opposition in the FA Cup (W2, L3).
- Brighton have avoided defeat in their last five FA Cup matches away against EFL opposition (W5, D2).
Prediction
Unbeaten in four games with one win and three draws since Steven Schumacher took charge just before Christmas, Stoke now face their biggest test because they are going to have to be at their most resilient defensively but clinically take their chances.
Brighton meanwhile were unlucky to be held at West Ham because they were dominant in an otherwise lacklustre contest, where they just lacked the end product to beat Alphonse Areola but if they play like that here then they really should avoid a replay.
Schumacher though has stabilised Stoke’s defence and moved them seven points clear of the drop but preserving their Championship status has to be their focus, although they should certainly give Brighton a close game like they did last season.
Prediction: Stoke 0-1 Brighton
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