Match report

Preston Defeats Stoke City 3-1 in Championship Clash

Preston
Preston
3–1
FT
Stoke City
Stoke City
Mar 20, 2026

Preston put in a strong performance to secure a 3-1 victory over Stoke City in their Championship fixture. Despite going behind early to a S. Thomas goal, Preston fought back with goals from A. Devine, M. Osmajic, and another from Devine to seal the win. The victory showcases Preston's resilience and tactical prowess in a competitive match.

Key Facts

  • • Stoke City's S. Thomas scored the first goal in the 4th minute.
  • • Preston's A. Devine equalized in the 15th minute.
  • • M. Osmajic put Preston ahead in the 57th minute.
  • • A. Devine scored the third goal for Preston in the 60th minute.
  • • Preston had two yellow cards, while Stoke City had one.

Lineups

Preston

Formation: 3-1-4-2

Starting XI

  • 1 Daniel Iversen (G)
  • 14 Jordan Storey (D)
  • 6 Liam Lindsay (D)
  • 16 Andrew Hughes (D)
  • 4 Benjamin Whiteman (M)
  • 2 Pol Valentín (M)
  • 23 Andrew Moran (M)
  • 21 Alfie Devine (M)
  • 3 Andrija Vukčević (M)
  • 28 Milutin Osmajić (F)
  • 17 Lewis Dobbin (F)

Substitutes

  • 26 Thierry Small
  • 44 Brad Potts
  • 9 Daniel Jebbison
  • 42 Odeluga Offiah
  • 24 Michael Smith
  • 12 Jack Walton
  • 11 Robbie Brady
  • 34 Kitt Nelson
  • 22 Miloš Luković

Stoke City

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 25 Tommy Simkin (G)
  • 22 Junior Tchamadeu (D)
  • 26 Ashley Phillips (D)
  • 23 Ben Gibson (D)
  • 17 Eric Bocat (D)
  • 15 Steven​ N'Zonzi (M)
  • 4 Ben Pearson (M)
  • 42 Million Manhoef (M)
  • 19 Tomáš Rigo (M)
  • 7 Sorba Thomas (M)
  • 49 Milan Smit (F)

Substitutes

  • 21 Jesurun Rak-Sakyi
  • 20 Sam Gallagher
  • 10 Jun-Ho Bae
  • 9 Divin Mubama
  • 34 Frank Fielding
  • 50 Sydney Agina
  • 18 Bosun Lawal
  • 12 Tatsuki Seko
  • 29 Lamine Cissé

Timeline

  1. Stoke City
    4' Stoke City Goal · Normal Goal
    S. Thomas · Assist: Junior Tchamadeu
  2. Preston
    15' Preston Goal · Normal Goal
    A. Devine · Assist: A. Moran
  3. Preston
    26' Preston Card · Yellow Card
    A. Devine
  4. Preston
    34' Preston Card · Yellow Card
    B. Whiteman
  5. Stoke City
    39' Stoke City Card · Yellow Card
    M. Manhoef
  6. Stoke City
    46' Stoke City subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Junior Tchamadeu · On: J. Rak-Sakyi
  7. Stoke City
    46' Stoke City subst · Substitution 2
    Off: M. Smit · On: S. Gallagher
  8. Stoke City
    48' Stoke City subst · Substitution 3
    Off: S. N'Zonzi · On: J. Bae
  9. Preston
    57' Preston Goal · Normal Goal
    M. Osmajic · Assist: L. Dobbin
  10. Preston
    60' Preston Goal · Normal Goal
    A. Devine · Assist: M. Osmajic
  11. Preston
    63' Preston subst · Substitution 1
    Off: A. Vukcevic · On: T. Small
  12. Stoke City
    65' Stoke City subst · Substitution 4
    Off: M. Manhoef · On: D. Mubama
  13. Preston
    76' Preston subst · Substitution 2
    Off: A. Moran · On: B. Potts
  14. Preston
    77' Preston subst · Substitution 3
    Off: M. Osmajic · On: D. Jebbison
  15. Preston
    84' Preston subst · Substitution 4
    Off: L. Dobbin · On: M. Smith
  16. Preston
    84' Preston subst · Substitution 5
    Off: P. Valentin · On: O. Offiah

Match Stats

Stat Preston Stoke City
Fouls 12 7
Pass Accuracy 65% 69%
Offsides 3 0
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 13 14
Corners 7 9
Total Passes 339 402
Yellow Cards 2 1
Blocked Shots 5 8
Shots on Target 3 3
xG 2.81 1.29
Shots off Target 5 3
Possession 46% 54%
Goals Prevented -2 -2
Accurate Passes 221 276
Shots Inside Box 12 6
Saves 2 0
Shots Outside Box 1 8

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ A. Devine's early equalizer in the 15th minute shifted the momentum in Preston's favor.
  • ▸ M. Osmajic's goal in the 57th minute solidified Preston's lead, securing their dominant performance.