Soccer Prediction For 26th Saturday, Stoke VS Wolves

Pre-Season Battle of the Midlands: Goals on the Agenda as Stoke Host Wolves

In a classic Midlands derby that serves as a crucial part of their pre-season preparations, Stoke City are set to welcome Premier League outfit Wolverhampton Wanderers to the bet365 Stadium on Saturday, 26th July 2025. As a seasoned football prediction expert, this fixture has all the hallmarks of a competitive, high-intensity friendly. Expect both sides to test their attacking frameworks, making a prediction for over 2.5 goals a compelling and statistically-backed prospect.

Match Preview and Analysis

This pre-season encounter offers a valuable test for both clubs as they gear up for their respective league campaigns. For Stoke City, it’s a golden opportunity to measure themselves against top-flight opposition. Playing in front of their home crowd, the Potters will be motivated to put on a strong performance, showcasing their tactical progress under the management. Pre-season is the time for experimentation and building offensive cohesion, so we can expect Stoke to play with a degree of attacking freedom they might not risk in a competitive Championship fixture.

Wolverhampton Wanderers will make the short trip, looking to fine-tune their preparations for the demanding Premier League season. For Wolves, fixtures like this are vital for building match fitness and integrating any new signings into their system. Manager Gary O’Neil will likely demand high intensity from his players as he assesses his squad. Given the attacking talent at their disposal, Wolves possess the quality to trouble any defence and will view this as a key opportunity to sharpen their offensive patterns. The less-pressurized environment of a friendly often leads to more defensive lapses and, consequently, more goals.

Prediction: Over 2.5

BET NOW

Head-to-Head Meetings

The historical rivalry between Stoke City and Wolves has produced numerous memorable and often goal-rich encounters. Their last meeting was a pre-season friendly in July 2023, which ended in a 1-1 draw. However, their last competitive clash was a fiery FA Cup tie in January 2017, where Wolves claimed a 2-0 victory at the bet365 Stadium.

Looking back at their time together in the Premier League, their meeting in April 2012 finished in a 2-1 win for Stoke. These past results demonstrate a pattern of competitive matches where both teams are capable of finding the net. The derby nature of the fixture adds an extra edge that often contributes to a more open and aggressive game, naturally leading to more goal-scoring opportunities than a standard pre-season run-out.

Straightforward Prediction

Over 2.5 Goals: This is the standout, professional prediction for this Midlands derby. The combination of factors—the pre-season context encouraging attacking play, Wolves’ Premier League quality, and Stoke’s motivation in front of a home crowd—creates the perfect recipe for goals. Both managers will prioritize performance and offensive drills over a cagey, defensive battle. A final scoreline in the region of a 2-1 or 3-1 win for Wolves, or even a high-scoring 2-2 draw, is all highly plausible outcomes that would comfortably see this prediction land. Expect an entertaining affair that delivers on attacking action.