Stoke City are in fine form so far this season, and sit fifth in the league with four wins from their opening six league games.

Michael O'Neill's side maintained their 100% win record at home in all competitions last time out, with a 2-1 win against Huddersfield Town.

Barnsley have endured a tough start to life under new manager Markus Schopp, with just one win from his first seven matches in charge.

They head to the Potteries in 17th position looking to pick up their first away win since April, after they fell to a 3-0 defeat in Bournemouth on Saturday.

  • Team news

Morgan Fox (hamstring), Steven Fletcher (ankle) and Sam Clucas (achilles) are all doubts for the Potters heading into the game.

Nick Powell (thigh) continues to recover from an injury picked up last month, but he will not be involved against Barnsley.

Deadline day loan signing Abdallah Sima arrived in Stoke on Tuesday morning and may be in line for an immediate place in the matchday squad.

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Tyrese Campbell and Tashan Oakley-Boothe will not be rushed back into the squad, despite both players appearing for the under-23's on Monday.

The visitors remain without the services of Jordan Williams, Rémy Vita, Liam Kitching, Mads Andersen, Josh Benson, Obbi Oularé and Carlton Morris - all sidelined with their respective injuries.

Ben Williams will also be unavailable for the trip to Staffordshire after he picked up a knee injury in their defeat to Bournemouth.

Liam Kitching will also be absent as he is currently serving his three-match suspension after being involved in an altercation against Birmingham City.

  • Predicted lineups

Stoke City (3-4-1-2)

Bursik; Ostigard, Souttar, Wilmot; Smith, Allen, Sawyers, Tymon; Vrancic; Brown, Surridge.

Barnsley (3-4-3)

Collins; Sibbick, Helik, Kitching; Brittain, Palmer, Styles, Gomes; Frieser, Woodrow, Iseka.

  • Ones to watch

Jacob Brown

Brown has cut a decisive figure amongst Potters fans since his arrival from Barnsley in the summer of 2020, but his commitment levels and clear improvement since he arrived have silenced many doubters.

The 23-year-old can play on the wing, but looks set to be deployed as a striker in Michael O'Neill's preferred formation this season. He already has two goals to his name after scoring against Reading and Huddersfield, and his high-energy pressing style is sure to give his former club a problem in defence. 

Callum Styles

Styles has long been hailed as one of the Tykes most important players and that has not changed this season, with his constant energy being key to the high-intensity style that Markus Schopp wants to implicate.

Styles has already scored one and assisted one this season, and netted four in the previous campaign - one being the opener against Stoke at Oakwell. He will no doubt hope to repeat that feat, but away from home this time.

  • Previous meetings

Last season this fixture ended 2-2, with goals from Campbell and Tommy Smith for Stoke and Elliot Simoes and Dominik Frieser for Barnsley.

The game at Oakwell was won 2-0 by the home side - Daryl Dike and the aforementioned Styles with the goals.

Barnsley have won just once in their last nine visits to the Potteries, that being a 1-0 victory in 2007.

  • How to watch

The game kicks off at 7:45pm on Wednesday September 15.

It is being broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event, with coverage starting at 7pm.

Due to this, there are no match passes available via iFollow. Audio commentary is available on both Barnsley and Stoke's websites.

  • What the managers have said

Stoke boss Michael O'Neill says he is aware of how the visitors are likely to set up against his side on Wednesday. He said:

"There are a lot of similarities from last season in terms of the system they play. They come with a high energy, high intensity and we have to be ready to not only match that but exceed it and hopefully take ownership of the game.

"They played with a very high press under the previous manager. I don’t think it’s maybe as aggressive as that in how they play now but they’re a team with a lot of spirit and sometimes tactics go out of the window when you have to match spirit."

Barnsley manager Markus Schopp insists his side have no fear despite Stoke's strong start to the season. He said:

“They’ve started very well, it’s a good team who are having confident performances especially at home. They know how to attack high up, so we know what we are up against. 

“But we aren’t fearing anything. We know what we have here, and we are convinced that we’ll get the results we need. We go into tomorrow night’s game going for the victory."

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