Stoke City vs Norwich City: Potters seek first points as Canaries look to build momentum

Stoke City host Norwich City at the bet365 Stadium on Tuesday night with Mark Robins already under early pressure after a difficult start to the Championship season.

The Potters have lost all three of their opening league matches and sit bottom of the table after conceding nine goals.

Their latest defeat was the most damaging.

Stoke took the lead away to Wolves through Sam Gallagher but eventually lost 4-1 as the home side scored four unanswered goals, extending a run that has left Robins still searching for his first league point of the campaign.

Norwich arrive in a very different mood.

Philippe Clement’s side had also started slowly, losing to West Bromwich Albion and Millwall, but produced a major response on Saturday with a 4-1 victory over Burnley at Carrow Road.

Mohamed Touré scored twice in that win and has quickly emerged as one of Norwich’s main attacking threats, while the result gave the Canaries their first Championship points of the season.

That makes Tuesday’s game particularly important for Stoke.

The hosts have shown moments of attacking promise but have struggled badly once matches have begun to move against them. Their defensive record is already the worst in the division, and another defeat before the international break would increase the pressure around Robins.

Norwich, meanwhile, have an opportunity to turn one strong performance into genuine momentum.

Clement is unlikely to want major changes after the Burnley win, with Touré expected to continue leading the attack.

Both sides still have fitness issues to manage. Stoke remain without Aaron Cresswell, while Lamine Cissé, Junior Tchamadeu and Ato Ampah have also been working their way back from injuries. Norwich continue to manage several absentees, including Ali Ahmed and Mirko Topić.

The contrast is clear.

Norwich arrive after finally finding goals and confidence.

Stoke arrive needing a result before a poor start becomes something more serious.

At the bet365 Stadium, that pressure should give Tuesday night’s meeting an edge well beyond a routine early-season Championship fixture.