- City take on Mark Hudson's side at the bet365 Stadium tomorrow
- Potters looking for maximum points following mid-season break
- Game to be streamed to fans in UK & Ireland, as well as overseas
Stoke City will return to Championship action tomorrow after the break for the World Cup when they face Cardiff City at the bet365 Stadium (kick-off 3pm) in their final home game before Christmas.
It’s a month since the Potters were last in action and on that occasion they found themselves on the receiving end of a 2-0 defeat at the hands of West Bromwich Albion.
Boss Alex Neil has made full use of the break, giving the players a week off followed by three weeks of intensive training which included a week away at an overseas training camp.
They have also played a couple of friendlies and in their most recent they overcame Premier League opposition in the form of Nottingham Forest 2-1.
Cardiff also overcame top-flight opposition in their final warm-up game ahead of the restart as they beat Aston Villa 3-1 in a memorial game for their former player Peter Whittingham.
The South Wales outfit currently sit 19th in the Championship table, two places and a point behind the Potters.
Tomorrow’s game will represent the 51st league and cup meeting between the two sides. The Potters have 20 all-time wins to their credit, compared to the Bluebirds’ 18.
However, it was Cardiff who had the edge the last time the two sides met, running out 2-1 winners at the Cardiff City Stadium back in March.
TEAM NEWS
Stoke City
Harry Souttar, fresh from his World Cup exploits with Australia, is expected to be available to Alex Neil.
The giant central defender was a key figure for the Aussies as they reached the last 16 in Qatar before bowing out at the hands of Argentina last Saturday. He arrived back in the UK earlier this week and has trained with his club teammates ahead of the visit of Cardiff.
Cardiff City
Cardiff boss Mark Hudson has revealed that the Bluebirds will be without former Potters loanee Jaden Philogene.
The 20-year-old, who spent the second half of last season on loan at the bet365 Stadium, will miss the trip to North Staffordshire as he’s nursing a hernia issue.
PRESS CONFERENCE
PREVIOUS RESULTS
Stoke City
West Bromwich Albion (A) - 2-0 defeat
Luton Town (H) - 2-0 win
Birmingham City (H) - 2-1 defeat
Wigan Athletic (A) - 1-0 win
Norwich City (A) - 3-1 defeat
Cardiff City
Sheffield United (H) - 1-0 defeat
Hull City (H) - 3-2 defeat
Sunderland (A) - 1-0 win
Watford (H) - 2-1 defeat
Rotherham United (H) - 1-0 win
STOKE CITY+ REWIND
REF WATCH
Andy Woolmer will be the man in the middle on Saturday in what will be his 17th run-out of the season so far.
It will be the first time this term that he has taken charge of a game involving the Potters but he has overseen a match involving Cardiff, their goalless home draw with Preston North End back in August.
Whilst the Championship season has been on pause, Woolmer has taken charge two EFL fixtures with his most recent being Sheffield Wednesday’s League One win over Shrewsbury Town at Hillsborough last month.
In his 16 games so far this season Woolmer, who was appointed to the Referees List in 2004, has issued 66 yellow cards and three reds.
His assistants on Saturday will be George Byrne and Bhupinder Gill, with John Busby carrying out the fourth official duties.
PROGRAMME
Copies of the programme are priced at £3 and will be available via sellers outside the stadium. Alternatively, supporters can purchase a copy online here.
VISITOR GUIDES
If you are first time visitor to the bet365 Stadium, check out our informative guides here.
TICKETS
Tickets are available in all home areas of the bet365 Stadium and can be purchased online, over the phone (01782 367599) or by visiting the bet365 Stadium Ticket Office.
The bet365 Stadium Ticket Office opening hours are Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. However, the Ticket Office will be open on Saturday from 9am onwards.
More details here.
STREAMING
The match will be broadcast on Stoke City+ Live for supporters based in the UK & Ireland and overseas.
An international season pass is available at £170. A monthly subscription costs £25 while a match pass is priced at £10.
A match pass for supporters based in the UK & Ireland is available for £10.
Fans based in the UK & Ireland and across the world also have the option to purchase live audio commentary passes - £45 for the season or £4.50 per month.
To help you through the process of purchasing a stream, please click here.
MATCH SPONSOR
Tomorrow's fixture is proudly sponsored by Reliant Group. Thirty years of experience in the supply and installation of suspended ceilings, light and heavy weight SFS systems and partition walls. Contact the team by emailing Info@reliantgroup.uk or calling 01782 511462.