Sheffield United were expected to bounce back in style this season, with a squad largely made up of the same players that got relegated from the Premier League last campaign.
However a poor start to the season has them in 14th, with just three league wins in 11 games.
Last time out they lost 2-1 to high-flying Bournemouth on the south coast.
Stoke have begun this season how many expected them to start their first campaign back in the Championship in 2018/19.
The Potters are fourth in the league standings but have just one away win from five games to their name so far.
Before the international break, they picked up a vital 1-0 win at home against table-toppers West Brom.
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Team news
The Blades will still be without Sander Berge as he remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.
George Baldock (hamstring), Luke Freeman (hamstring) and Oliver Burke (heel) will all also be unavailable.
Jack O'Connell remains a long-term doubt after suffering a serious knee injury back in June 2020.
Stoke are still without Abdallah Sima (ankle) and Morgan Fox (hamstring) for the trip to South Yorkshire.
Alfie Doughty is a doubt after missing training on Thursday due to illness.
Key man Tyrese Campbell has been training with the first team this week, and may figure in the matchday squad this weekend for the first time since last December.
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Previous meetings
Sheffield United (4-2-3-1)
Olsen; Bogle, Egan, Davies, Stevens; Norwood, Fleck; Gibbs-White, Ndiaye, Osborn; Sharp.
Stoke City (3-4-2-1)
Davies; Chester, Souttar, Wilmot; Smith, Thompson, Allen, Tymon; Powell, Vrancic; Brown.
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Ones to watch
At still only 21, Stafford-born Gibbs-White is now in his sixth season as a professional footballer and still has a lot to give after a tough few years with injuries and falling out of favour at parent club Wolves. The attacking midfielder has landed on his feet at Bramall Lane, with three goals and two assists in six appearances so far this season.
With his talent clear to see, Blades fans will hope for another spark of magic to break down a stern Stoke backline. Gibbs-White will hope for a similar result from his first ever professional appearance, coming on as a substitute as Wolves beat Stoke 2-0 back in January 2017.
Vrancic's summer capture from Norwich was welcomed by Stoke fans, but even the most optimistic supporter could not have imagined how impactful the Bosnian was going to be in a red and white shirt. The 32-year-old has one goal and four assists so far this campaign, and has been in talismanic form with the Potters clearly missing his magic when he does not play.
The central midfielder sits atop of the chances created per minute chart in the Championship, with a chance every 23 minutes- a real highlight of just how influential he has been. He was even rewarded with a first call-up to the Bosnian national team since 2019 this past week, but unfortunately pulled out with a knock.
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Previous meetings
These two teams last met in 2019, with Sheffield United revelling in their promotion to the Premier League on the final day of the season as the score ended 2-2 in the Potteries.
Sam Vokes, Ryan Shawcross, Kieran Dowell and Enda Stevens netted the goals.
The Potters last win at Bramall Lane came in 2007, with Richard Cresswell, a James Beattie own-goal and the aforementioned Shawcross securing a 3-0 win as the Potters themselves went on to secure promotion that season.
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How to watch
The game kicks off at 3pm on Saturday October 15.
Fans based overseas will be able to watch a live stream of the game, with match passes from £10 available on Stoke's website.