Chester's riding high while Stoke are hunting form — this preseason clash pits a confident non-league side against a Championship outfit that desperately needs a confidence injection. 🔴

Chester have won 2 of their last 3, while Stoke are winless in five and got spanked 0-2 by Bristol City most recently. The Potteries need a statement win here, but Chester aren't just a speed bump on the way back.

Key storylines:

• Chester's attacking momentum keeps rolling with back-to-back 2-0 victories — can they press Stoke's defense early?
• Stoke's search for rhythm continues; a friendly loss would pile on the misery, so expect intensity from Michael O'Neill's squad
• Non-league David vs Championship Goliath — Chester won't be intimidated at home

Expected lineups:

• Chester FC: expectation of typical non-league setup; key XI details limited in available data
• Stoke City: Championship side fielding a stronger preseason XI to shake off rust

Prediction:

Stoke City 2–1 Chester FC — Stoke's quality should eventually show, but Chester's form and home comfort make this tighter than the league gap suggests. Slight edge to the visitors, but Chester could nick a result. ⚪