Stoke go into this Carabao Cup game on the back of 3 defeats, not ideal preparation to play a Premier League side who gave Chelsea & Liverpool a real good game.

It’s the manner of the defeats that’s got the Stoke fans a bit puzzled, in two of the games The Potters had been leading and in relative control, the opposition changed personal & tactics to great affect and we didn’t. Stoke have been slow to react during a game for a while now but we had started to get better, most fans thought we had sorted out that aspect of our game, it seems not.

Stoke’s midfield balance is too attacking, meaning sides can walk though our middle with relative ease, Brentford are more than likely going to target this so O’Neill needs to change tact or face elimination from the cup.

How have we faired in previous meetings.

Saturday’s fixture will be the 31st meeting between the two sides

Stoke wins 14

Draws 9

Brentford wins 7

Stoke have never lost a home fixture versus Brentford

The last meeting

Stoke lost the last meeting with Brentford back in February. Stoke started the game well taking the lead in the first minute through Jacob Brown. Brentford soon got on top and went on to win 2-1.

The last Home game against Brentford ended with a 3-2 win for Stoke. Tyrese was on form scoring one and assisting the other two goals.

Form (last 4 games)

Stoke

Stoke 1-0 WBA

Sheffield United 2-1 Stoke

Stoke 0-1 Bournemouth 

Millwall 2-1 Stoke

Brentford 

Brentford 3-3 Liverpool

West Ham 1-2 Brentford 

Brentford 0-1 Chelsea

Brentford 1-2 Leicester 

Who’s the threat

Brentford have recruited well for a number of years, they have some really good players including Ivan Toney and Brentford’s leading scorer in the cup Marcus Forss.

How could Stoke set up for the game.

Micheal O’Neill has hinted at changing the balance of the midfield, whether that’s just personal changes or formation wise too. Which ever it is, it will be needed against a very good Premier league side

What is your score Prediction?