There’s only one match left standing…and it’s going to be a stalemate

The weather has yet to claim victory over the Britannia Stadium but there’s still no guarantee of goals tonight.

Blackburn and Aston Villa’s match has fallen foul of the weather so hoofball fans will have to look elsewhere for their evening’s entertainment.

The last surviving game involving teams in the top-five tiers of English football is Fulham’s trip to Stoke and there’s plenty of value to be found backing low on the goal front and dismissing the hosts.

Our best bet is the draw at 23/10 on Ladbrokes because the Potters are struggling, having won once in nine league matches, but it’s too risky to back Fulham as they’ve triumphed in just one of their last 13 away.

Stoke are the league’s lowest scorers so a repeat of last season’s 0-0 at 8/1 is also worthy of consideration.

Click here to claim a free £10 bet with Ladbrokes

Posted: January 5th, 2010 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Five reasons why Stoke and Man City may share the spoils

Stoke/Man City, 12.45pm, Sky Sports 1, Free Bets, Best Odds

It looks like Manchester City are started to turn the corner while Stoke’s early season dominance at the Britannia Stadium has started to dwindle. However, they should still be capable of taking a point off the billionaires:

1. Manchester City are on a four match unbeaten run in the league - the first time they have gone more than two games without defeat in over a year - but still haven’t won a domestic away game since August.

2. Mark Hughes’ side have drawn three of their last four league matches on the road.

3. Last season Manchester City failed to do the double over any of last season’s bottom five. They won 3-0 against the Potters earlier this season.

4. Stoke have lost just one of their last eight league home games and have only been beaten at the Britannia Stadium by clubs in the top six.

5. However, they have gone nine league games without a win and have drawn three of their last four home games.

The draw can be backed at 12/5 with Paddy Power - click here for a free £10 bet with the Irish bookmakers

Posted: January 30th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | 4 Comments

Statistics on tonight’s other three Premier League games

Tottenham and Stoke will contest a “relegation six-pointer”

Tottenham v Stoke
Spurs may be winless in six league games but Stoke haven’t won in eight (ten in all competitions) and Tony Pulis was beaten 2-1 by his former Bournemouth colleague Harry Redknapp at Portsmouth earlier this season. The Potters beat Spurs earlier this season in Juande Ramos’ last league game but haven’t won away all season and have lost 2-1 twice in London (to West Ham and Chelsea) over the last month. Spurs have lost just one of their twelve home games under Redknapp and are 15/2 with 888sport to win 2-1, the scoreline in half of Stoke’s away league defeats.

West Brom v Manchester United

Posted: January 27th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Stoke are 9/1 to beat league leaders Liverpool at home

Stoke/Liverpool, Sat 5.30pm, Setanta Sp 1, Free Bets, Best Odds

Stoke (9/1 with Bet365) were able to take a point against Liverpool at Anfield so will feel confident of causing them problems again on a pitch far greater suited to their style of play. Here are the key statistics about this weekend’s Saturday evening game:

THE BRITANNIA STADIUM
Only four clubs have taken more points at home this season than Stoke and the only teams who have beaten them there in the league are Everton, Chelsea and Manchester United, with Chelsea the only team to win their by more than one goal. Stoke’s defeats to Everton and Chelsea came one after the other so Liverpool will be hopeful of benefitting from the fact the Potters lost their last home game to Manchester United.

Posted: January 9th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Stoke 11/1 to take advantage of Man Utd’s poor away form

Stoke/Man Utd, 12.45pm, Sky Sports 1, Best Odds, Free Bets

Having thumped Stoke 5-0 at Old Trafford last month, Manchester United are overwhelming favourites to come out on top again when the teams collide on Boxing Day. Considering the reigning champions have won all bar one of their last fourteen December 26 clashes, an upset seems unlikely but rather than stating the obvious, we are going to level the playing field by offering five reasons why an upset could occur and they won’t leave with three points:

1. Manchester United were upset in their final away game of 2007 when West Ham recorded a 2-1 victory over them.

2. Stoke have a good record at home to the Red Devils historically, having lost on just ten of the 44 occasions that they have hosted the champions. The Potters have won three of their last four home games against them, winning both of the last two 2-1.

Posted: December 23rd, 2008 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment