Official Boothen Roar Match Preview:Stoke City v Hajduk Split

Last updated : 28 July 2011 By Dan Buxton

The Potters welcome Hajduk Split to the Britannia Stadium in tonights big Europa League game that sees the Potters return to European competition after 37 years. 

Stoke finished 13th in the Premier League but qualified after reaching the FA cup final. The visitors qualified for Europe after finishing second in the Croatian league.

Stoke had a very good home record last season and beat fourteen sides at the Brit, with only five defeats, also going unbeaten in 11 home games.

This is the first time the two sides have met. 

Tonights ref is German Babak Rafati. He has taken charge of over 150 games in the German Bundesliga since his promotion to the top flight in 2005. He has been on FIFA's elite list since 2008.

The MetOffice predict that there will be sunny intervals, temperatures of 17 degrees celsius and good visibility with a light 9mph wind.

Prediction: The Potters take an early lead through Jones and Walters doubles before the break. City add a third through Jermaine Pennant before a late goal for Split keeps them in the tie.