Stoke City vs Everton - Friendlies Clubs

All eyes turn to the home ground on July 28, 2026 as Stoke City welcome Everton in a Friendlies Clubs encounter that promises tension, intrigue and no shortage of subplot. Make it easier than ever to turn a regular fixture into something genuinely unforgettable.

There is little to choose between Stoke City and Everton on paper, and the Friendlies Clubs encounter should reflect that balance. The hosts will be looking to find their rhythm and put a run of results together. The visitors will travel in the hope that a change of scene can spark a turnaround, whatever the form book says. Central midfield remains a position Leeds are keen to add in despite so far failing to reach an agreement with Southampton for Shea Charles.

The tactical subplot is compelling: Stoke City favour a possession-based game built on patience and control, while Everton are happiest sitting deep and exploding forward on the counter — a classic contrast of philosophies. In attack, Brazilian forward Kaua Elias has emerged as a name of interest, with United scouts watching the Shakhtar Donetsk striker after his hat‑trick against Kudrivka on Monday.

Star players on both sides will be eager to make their mark, and the individual duels across the pitch could go a long way to deciding the outcome. The battle in midfield, where both sides look to control tempo, could prove the decisive arena. Lewis Hall in pre-season action for Newcastle United(Image: Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images) Manchester United start their Premier League away to Hull City, who have just confirmed the signing of highly-rated Norwegian midfielder Jens Hjerto-Dahl.

Predictions are tricky when the sides are this evenly matched, and small margins — a moment of quality, a slice of luck — could decide it either way. The signals point towards a stalemate, with the two sides closely matched across form and standings. A 1-1 draw is easy to envisage. Whatever the outcome, the Friendlies Clubs fixture promises a meaningful contest with real implications for both clubs. A more central role appears likely given the sale of Youri Tielemans to Manchester United and the anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered by Amadou Onana at the World Cup.