Stoke City will host Rotherham to kick off the Championship season. Both clubs are looking for a better season than last year’s abysmal campaigns.
The Potters finished 2022-23 16th in the standings and 16 points off the playoff places. The team failed to win any of its last six league matches to close at the term.
Rotherham ended the campaign in 19th place. Just six points separated Rotherham from the relegation zone.
Matt Taylor goes into his first full season as manager. He took charge of the first team in October 2022 after Paul Warne left in September.
The Millers have made modest additions to the team in the offseason, focusing on the loan and free agency markets.
Midfielder Cafu joined the team from Nottingham Forest on loan and defender Grant Hall was recruited from Middlesbrough.
The club suffered a blow in the offseason, as midfielder Chiedozie Ogbene left on a free transfer for Premier League new-boys Luton Town.
Ogbene led the Millers in goals with eight last season. Rotherham weren’t a high-scoring team and Ogbene’s departure could hurt their goalscoring chances.
Alex Neil goes into his first full season at Stoke City. The former Sunderland manager joined the team in August 2022.
Despite his strong pedigree in the Championship, Neil struggled to find consistency with the team.
Stoke City spent €4 million on striker Ryan Mmaee, signing him from Hungary’s Ferencvaros.
Former Liverpool full-back Ki-Jana Hoever has signed on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The club have also added winger Chiquinho from Wolves and striker Wesley Moraes from Aston Villa.
Neil has been given some quality players. Now, the manager needs to get them to play to their potential.
Stoke City scored 55 goals last term but conceded 54 times. Neil preferred a three-man backline and is likely to stick with it again this season.
Stoke left-back Enda Stevens could miss the game due to an injury. Otherwise, Stoke City’s squad is fit, and Neil can pick from an almost fully fit team.
Taylor has no fresh injuries for match No 1. He is likely to use a three-man defence as well. Taylor likes to clog up the middle of the pitch, with six midfielders.
Rotherham scored just 49 times last season and conceded 60 goals. With both managers having a full preseason with their respective clubs, there should be improvements on both sides.
Stoke City and Rotherham should finish in a 1-1 draw, with the teams splitting the points. Four of the last six games between these sides finished as stalemates.