Stoke City

Blackpool V Stoke City

Date & Kick-Off: Saturday, 30 April 2011 – 15:00 (GMT)
Venue: Bloomfield Road

Two teams in contrasting form collide at Bloomfield Road this weekend as a Stoke side still buoyed by their FA Cup success tackle a free-falling Blackpool who, despite their severe dip in form since the New Year, are refusing to get downbeat about their chances of remaining in the division.

With the season within four games of reaching its conclusion, Blackpool know full well that time isn’t on their side, nor is the run-in. So if Ian Holloway is to guide the Tangerines to safety in an act some believe would be deserving of the Manager of the Year accolade, surely this revival in fortunes will come at Bloomfield Road and nowhere else.

In 2011, Holloway has masterminded just two wins from seventeen league games and in turn has seen Blackpool plummet from the comfort of mid-table straight into the relegation mixer. Now his side reside in 17th, one place above the drop zone but level on points with relegation zone occupants Wigan Athletic, and to sum up their situation as being ‘precarious’ would be a massive understatement.

Not only are the Seasiders currently in free-falling, having registered a miserly sum of two points from their last seven league assignments, their remaining fixtures are excruciating, starting with Saturday’s must-win clash with Stoke. It’s a must-win game for the simple fact that Blackpool face formidable trips to White Hart Lane and Old Trafford to face Tottenham and Man Utd respectively before the season is out, the latter on the very last day. While it isn’t beyond the realms of possibility were Blackpool to take something from those seemingly daunting tasks, it would appear their remaining games at home, against Stoke and Bolton, are ultimately going to determine how Blackpool fare in this battle for survival with teams boasting far more experience and know-how in this very predicament.

On the plus side for Blackpool, they do at least head into their final four games on safe ground. However that could all change should Stoke continue where they left off at home to Wolves on Tuesday night, which was overpowering Blackpool’s relegation rivals Wolves to record a thoroughly deserved and extremely impressive 3-0 win.

In effect, their midweek victory over Wolves ensured Stoke’s season all but came to an end, with another term in the Premiership assured for the Potters as they moved onto 42-points. However, Tony Pulis is determined to not only end the club’s third consecutive spell in the Premier League on a high with a top-ten finish but also with plenty of momentum, ahead of their FA Cup final showdown with Manchester City later this month.

So it’s now a momentum-building exercise for Tony Pulis and Stoke, and ensuring the morale in camp remains sky-high. News that Matthew Etherington will join Danny Higginbotham and Ricardo Fuller on the sidelines until at least the summer couldn’t have come at a worse time then for the Stoke camp, who must now go about ending a disastrous run of results away from home, having lost seven of their last eight on the road in the league, without arguably their most creative player in Etherington, who incidentally has chipped in with more goals than most for Stoke this season, 5.

Just how crushing a blow was news of Etherington’s injury? – a torn hamstring. Enough to dampen spirits so that their three-match unbeaten run in all competitions comes crashing to an end at Bloomfield Road against the poorest outfit in the Premier League during 2011? Can Blackpool now secure the win which wouldn’t just complete a league double over the Potters, having won the reverse encounter at The Brittania 1-0, but also give their entire complexion down near the foot of the table a new leash of life?

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Match Pointers

Blackpool are 17th, level on points with third from bottom Wigan who have a slightly inferior goal difference (1 goal); just one win in eight has resulted in Stoke slipping to 14th, five-points above the drop-zone.

Blackpool have now gone seven league games without winning; two draws and five defeats.

Bloomfield Road has seen eleven Premiership matches in 2011, but just two Blackpool victories (W2 D2 L7 in 2011 at home).

All 17 of Blackpool‘s home Premiership matches this season have featured both teams scoring, a Premiership record.

Stoke have lost seven of their last eight away league games, five without netting.

Only Wolves (8) have picked up fewer points on their travels this season than Stoke (11).

Head-to-Head (Premiership)

Blackpool wins: 1
Draws: 0
Stoke wins: 0

2010/2011: Stoke 0-1 Blackpool

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Betting Odds & Tips

Match Prediction: Stoke City to WIN -2.75 VictorChandler

It really is ‘make or break’ for Blackpool, who travel to White Hart Lane next. Anything less than three-points from arguably their easiest remaining fixture could have severe consequences, not least the genuine possibility of spending the forthcoming week languishing in the relegation zone. Meanwhile, Stoke are still coming to terms with the loss of Matty Ethrington. However, the Potters are a rich vein of form and will still arrive at Bloomfield Road in a far better frame of mind; full of confidence and overflowing with excitement ahead of their FA Cup final with Man City in two weeks time.

As disappointing as their results have been on the road in 2011, having failed to win any of their previous eight road assignments, I don’t remember a single one where Stoke’s performance was either lacklustre of lacking in desire and commitment. Moreover, there have been signs of late that Tony Pulis’ men are heading in the right direction with regards to amending their dismal run of away form, scoring twice at White Hart Lane away to Tottenham as well as drawing 1-1 with Aston Villa at Villa Park in their two away fixtures in April, suggesting that perhaps that elusive away win isn’t too far away.

A confident Stoke won’t have many more straight-forward away encounters than a trip to the Seaside, where their hosts invariably create numerous opportunities but are lacking in confidence, momentum and haven’t enjoyed any luck whatsoever of late. Stoke to land the spoils and gain their revenge, after losing 1-0 at home in the corresponding fixture, looks a decent shout.

Value Bet: Kenwyn Jones First Goalscorer -7.00 VictorChandler

After going months without scoring, Jones now has two in his last two starts, and both were the opening goal of the game. A striker reborn perhaps.

Match Odds:

Blackpool – 2.80 PaddyPower
Draw – 3.60 WilliamHill
Stoke City – 2.75 VictorChandler

Aston Villa V Stoke City

Date & Kick-Off: Saturday, 23 April 2011 – 15:00 (GMT)
Venue: Villa Park

You’ll struggle to find two teams in higher spirits right now than Aston Villa and Stoke City, so it’s an exciting prospect that the pair should clash at Villa Park this weekend seeking to secure a victory which would rubber-stamp their participation in next season’s campaign.

Gerard Houllier was a wanted man not so long ago, however seven points from Villa’s last three matches has eased the pressure on him. The Villains should be all but safe from the drop now having reached that sought-after 40-point marker with several games to spare, and at home, where they’ve won three and lost only one of their last five matches, they have a golden opportunity to build on their positive streak as they welcome the only team in the league not to have registered an away point in 2011.

That team is of course Stoke, who have zero points from their six away assignments since the turn of the year. However, it would seem as though they were saving their vintage stuff for Wembley, as the Potters were sublime when blowing Bolton Wanderers out of the water in last Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final. Now their jubilant supporters can look forward to a club-first FA Cup final appearance, though the show-piece isn’t for another three weeks yet and in the mean time the team must focus all their attention on the Premier League and ensuring there’s enough points on the board that relegation isn’t on their minds when that memorable day in the capital does finally arrive.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis will be praying his players don’t lose focus, as while their position in the league table is currently prominent with regards to staving off the drop – 9th having collected 38-points from 32 games, it’s so very easy to be dragged back into the relegation mixer, even more so for them with their poor tendency for travelling.

In contrast, there has been a steely mentality about Aston Villa of late, which was epitomised at Upton Park last weekend. Despite falling behind early on, Villa stormed back, carving out chance after chance with some brilliant attacking moves to seal a priceless away win over one of their main rivals for survival, and with it continued their momentum building exercise, having now won back-to-back league games for only the second time this season and will even embark on their best run of form for twelve months should they inflict a seventh straight away defeat on Stoke at Villa Park.

Stoke’s last league result was a 3-2 reverse away at Tottenham Hotspur, which was hardly a surprising outcome. That said, it was without a doubt their most encouraging away performance yet, and if they can take some of the positives from that particular game – like how they carved open a usually well-guarded Spurs defence on a number of occasions and found the back of the net twice within the opening 45 minutes – and combine it with all the confidence gained from not only dismantling Bolton last weekend but also booking a place in the FA Cup, then Stoke may well spring another surprise.

Neither manager will be forced into making too many changes to winning teams, with both camps free of suspensions and fresh injuries.

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Head-to-Head (Premier League)

Aston Villa wins: 1
Draws: 2
Stoke City wins: 2

Last 5 Seasons

2010/2011: Stoke 2-1 Aston Villa
2009/2010: Stoke 0-0 Aston Villa
2009/2010: Aston Villa 1-0 Stoke
2008/2009: Aston Villa 2-2 Stoke
2008/2009: Stoke 3-2 Aston Villa

Streaks & Trends

Villa have won just one of the previous five Premier League meetings with Stoke.

After back-to-back wins over Newcastle (H:1-0) and West Ham (A:1-2), Aston Villa are on the verge of recording three successive victories in the Premier League for the first time since this time last season (18 April – 25 April 2010).

Five of Villa’s seven league wins at home this season have been by a one-goal margin.

Stoke are the only team in the Premier League yet to register a point on their travels in 2011, losing their last six away matches on the spin (Agg: 3-14).

The Potters have failed to score in 50% (8/16) of their away matches this season.

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Betting Odds & Tips

Match Prediction: Aston Villa to WIN – 1.83 PaddyPower

There will be no shortage of confidence, nor smiles for that matter, in either camp, however, Stoke’s record away from home – losing their last six on the spin, four without even scoring – leaves them incredibly exposed heading to Villa Park, home of a rejuvenated Aston Villa outfit and where they were downed 1-0 last season. The Potters, though, have had a tendency to cause Villa problems in recent meetings, as they do for most teams with their formidable aerial prowess, and have only lost one of the previous five Premiership encounters.

A draw will probably prove a popular selection, especially as Villa aren’t all that exciting odds. However, I’m finding it difficult to get away from Stoke’s appalling record on the road in 2011 and against an in-form Villa side who boast so much creativity and a striker in Darren Bent who is as clinical as they come, I reckon the home side are tremendous value at the odds to bring those elated Potters back down to earth with a thud.

Match Odds:

Aston Villa – 1.83 PaddyPower
Draw – 3.75 BetFred
Stoke City – 4.50 bWin

Bolton Wanderers V Stoke City

Date & Kick-Off: Sunday, 17 April 2011 – 16:00 (GMT)
Venue: Wembley (Neutral)
TV Coverage: ESPN

The draw couldn’t have been any kinder to Bolton Wanderers and Stoke City, who contest the second semi-final on Sunday aiming to secure a place in next month’s show-piece. Whilst picking a winner is proving difficult, one thing which is assured is that whoever seals a place in the final on 14 May will have their work cut out defying the odds against one of either Manchester City or Manchester United, who do battle 24 hours earlier in the other semi-final.

Because of the season they’ve had so far, Bolton, who are 8th in the Premier League – four positions and five-points better off than Stoke, are the favourites, though only just. Even the bookmakers are having a hard time of things separating the two, and with their being very little between them on paper to boot, it could pay to hedge your bets on the outcome of this game boiling down to who has more in reserve for extra-time and possibly even penalties.

It’s 3.40 (12/5) the draw, and that looks a piece of value considering both league encounters this season both went the way of the home side. Neutral ground should even things up a bit.

Method of Victory Betting (Bet365):

Bolton in Extra-Time – 11.00 (10/1)
Bolton on Penalties – 13.00 (12/1)

Stoke in Extra-Time – 11.00 (10/1)
Stoke on Penalties – 13.00 (12/1)

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Bolton Wanderers

You’d be forgiven for not knowing that Bolton have won this very competition on four previous occasions, however their most recent triumph came way back in 1958 and now current Trotters manager Owen Coyle, who has been an instant hit with the fans during his season-and-a-half-spell with the club, wants to bring the good times back to Bolton.

Owen Coyle has been receiving praise for the way he’s gone about transforming the general perception of Bolton Wanderers all season, with the Trotters slowly but surely building a reputation for being a team which surprisingly plays pleasing on the eye football. But more important than mere aesthetics, Coyle has installed a winning mentality into a dressing room which previously found that winning feeling hard to come by.

Bolton having enjoyed one of their better league campaigns this season, with Coyle’s men genuine contenders for Europe at one stage. Unfortunately, they have faded by the wayside in 2011, winning only four of their twelve league games since the turn of the year, though what they relinquished in standard in the league they made up for in the FA Cup, beating the likes of Birmingham City, Fulham and Wigan Athletic, all away from home, en route to the semi’s.

The advantages with Bolton is that not only do they play some crisp, precise football under Owen Coyle, they are still that same powerful, awkward opponent which has made them a mainstay in the Barclay’s Premier League for over a decade now. In Kevin Davies and Johan Elmander, Bolton have two forwards who are willing to put their bodies on the line and mix it with defenders, but Bolton also have the required height at the back to contend with Stoke’s main threat, which is their aerial prowess. Nullify Stoke in the air and Bolton are half-way to winning the battle.

However, two definite drawbacks are that combative midfielder Stuart Holden misses out through injury while on-loan Daniel Sturridge is ineligible, because he participated for Chelsea earlier in the competition. The 21-year-old will be sorely missed by Coyle, as not only as the on-loan forward been prolific during his short spell with the Trotters, his raw pace and desire to play each and every game would have made him an instant thorn in Stoke’s side.

Stoke City

Unlike their opponent’s on Sunday, Stoke have never won the FA Cup before. In fact, the Potters have only ever won one domestic cup in their history – the 1971/72 League Cup – and will be making only their fourth ever appearance in the semi-finals of the FA Cup. They’ll also be hoping it’s fourth time lucky after coming up short in the previous three, and they have every chance of doing just that up against slight favourites on the day Bolton.

So it will be a completely new experience for Stoke should they overcome Bolton on Sunday in the second semi-final, but in Tony Pulis they have a manager who has already brought the Barclay’s Premier League to supporters; can he go one further and reward them with a trophy?

No doubt the fans will have a watchful eye on the first semi-final between Man City and Man Utd, and there’s no reward for guessing who they’ll be supporting. Stoke have a miserable recent record against Sir Alex’s men (W0 D0 L6) whereas their record against the Citizens is far more healthy (W2 D3 L2) – but Stoke can hardly afford the luxury of complacency, as getting through Sunday’s semi-final will be hard enough, against a Bolton side whom they beat rather comfortably at The Brittania earlier in the season (2-0), and also pushed them all the way at The Reebok as well before eventually going down 2-1.

This is a golden opportunity for Stoke, one they can ill-afford to pass up considering they’re unlikely to receive a more favourable passage through to the last-four, or a more favourable semi-final tie than one with an opponent of similar stature to themselves. The Potters certainly have all the right ingredients to be triumphant on Sunday, but with their aerial threat well known, a lot will depend on how effective their wide outlets perform on the day, with so much riding on not only Matthew Etherington and Jermaine Pennant’s ability to pick out the rangy figures of John Carew, Jonathan Walters and Kenwyn Jones but also their ability to beat a man and find pockets of space in behind the Bolton defence.

Pulis has rued the fact that Danny Higginbottom, who scored Stoke’s winner in the 2-1 win over West Ham in the previous round, will miss Sunday’s semi-final along with the rest of the season. However, John Carew should at least return to the bench to bolster a strong looking Stoke bench. And Pulis may well need someone to lay claim to the hero vacancy later in the game, as this match has the potential to stretch into extra-time and possibly penalties.

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Road to Wembley

Bolton

Third Round: Bolton 2-0 York City
Fourth Round: Bolton 0-0 Wigan (Bolton won the corresponding replay 1-0)
Fifth Round: Fulham 0-1 Bolton
Sixth Round: Birmingham 2-3 Bolton

Stoke

Third Round: Stoke 1-1 Cardiff (Stoke won the corresponding replay 2-0 after extra-time)
Fourth Round: Wolves 0-1 Stoke
Fifth Round: Stoke 3-0 Brighton
Sixth Round: Stoke 2-1 West Ham

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Head-to-Head (Premier League ONLY)

Bolton wins: 3
Draws: 1
Stoke wins: 2

Last 5 Seasons

2010/2011: Stoke 2-0 Bolton
2010/2011: Bolton 2-1 Stoke
2009/2010: Stoke 1-2 Bolton
2009/2010: Bolton 1-1 Stoke
2008/2009: Stoke 2-0 Bolton
2008/2009: Bolton 3-1 Stoke

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Betting Odds & Tips

Match Prediction: Draw – 3.40 Boylesports

Only the magic of the FA Cup could bring two unfancied clubs like Bolton and Stoke together, but also two teams who are so evenly matched on paper. The bookies cannot split them, and neither can I.

Both sides pack a punch with their ability to win the aerial duels, but they are also deceivingly useful on he floor as well and it could boil down to who uses the ball better on the deck rather than who dominates the skies – and in this instance, Stoke would get my vote. Etherington and Pennant can be a real handful on their day, and while Owen Coyle is all too aware of the problems Stoke’s wide-men pose, identifying the threat and dealing with it are two different things.

For Bolton, Kevin Davies will be so important to their cause. There isn’t a striker in the Premier League who puts himself about like he does, and if he can cause a rift in the heart of the Stoke defence then who knows, Bolton may well prosper. However, I do worry without Sturridge in the side, as the Trotters have relied heavily on his goals during a difficult 2011 which has seen victories prove hard to come by.

If I was obliged to pick a winner then it would be Stoke, however these two look set to cancel each other out and it could even go right down to the wire – with penalties a real possibility.

Value Bet: 2-2 Draw (Correct Score) – 17.00 WilliamHill

While I do reckon it will be close, I very much doubt it will be stalemate.

Match Odds:

Bolton Wanderers – 2.50 Bet365
Draw – 3.40 Boylesports
Stoke City – 3.00 BetFred

Tottenham Hotspur V Stoke City

Date & Kick-Off: Saturday, 9 April 2011 – 15:00 (GMT)
Venue: White Hart Lane

After failing to win a single one of their previous four matches in the league, on top of the fact their European adventure is now hanging by the slimmest of threads, Spurs go in search of a morale-boosting win over a Stoke side who have been dreadful on their travels in 2011 but were narrow victors when the two teams last met in north London.

Stoke, who have lost their last six away matches and are currently without an away goal for nearly nine hours, were 1-0 winners on their most recent scurvy to White Hart Lane; midfielder Glenn Whealen with the only goal of the game as the Potters proved there and then that despite their ongoing troubles on the road that they can cause the odd upset away from their comfort zone of the Brittania Stadium.

Considering their current form on the road is so dire, a repeat of their heroics twelve months ago would seem unlikely although Spurs, who have faced nothing but relegation candidates in recent league fixtures, are without a league win for four games and were as recently as Tuesday brushed to one side by European giants Real Madrid in the quarter-final of the UEFA Champions League.

So who better than a hard-hitting Stoke to take full advantage of Tottenham’s fragile state?

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Tottenham

League Position: 5th
League Form: WLDDD

Although Harry Redknapp was keen to stress in the early stages that his current crop are good enough to challenge for the league title, the main objective for the season was to retain their Champions League status, either by winning the competition outright or securing a top-four finish. At this rate, I wouldn’t bank on Spurs meeting either criteria.

In the league, Spurs have now failed to win any of their last four matches, all of which were against sides battling for Premiership survival down near the foot of the table, and the usually free-scoring north Londoners have even failed to net in their previous two. Make that three if you include the 4-0 hammering which was inflicted on them by a ruthless Real Madrid in the Champions League in midweek, a result which will have further knocked the stuffing out of a dressing room which was already demoralised following a dismal stretch of form in the league.

Redknapp must now nurse a few wounded egos ahead of Saturday’s visit of Stoke, whom they beat 2-1 at the Brittania earlier on in the season but were beaten 1-0 in the corresponding fixture last term. Peter Crouch was the hardest hit, as it was he who dearly cost his team-mates by getting sent off within the first 15 minutes of the match. So, don’t be surprised to see Jermaine Defoe slot straight into the side following Crouch’s idiotic display in Madrid.

To complicate matters for Redknapp, who already has a tough job on his hands galvanising the Tottenham dressing room ahead of an important match which should they fail to win, could see them lose further ground in the race for a top-four finish; the Tottenham boss could be without Vedran Corluka and Aaron Lennon, with neither completing Tuesday’s mauling in Madrid, as well as Steven Pienaar and long-term absentees Ledley King and Alan Hutton.

Failure to end their miserable sequence of four league games without a win could prove expensive for Tottenham, who head into the weekend five-points behind fourth-placed Chelsea who face an easy home assignment with bottom-of-the-league Wigan.

Stoke

League Position: 11th
League Form: LDLWD

Some believe Stoke are too good for the drop anyhow, but Stoke manager Tony Pulis is keen to accumulate the 40 points which normally guarantees survival as soon as possible before he starts laying down new gauntlets for his team, especially as acquiring the two points Stoke need in order to reach that magical marker may be easier said than done considering their next two league games are both away, which is precisely where Stoke have struggled to register points in 2011.

The Potters are unbeaten in two matches following their hard-fought 1-1 draw with Chelsea last weekend, a match which they bossed for large periods at the Brittania. Before that they romped to a 4-0 victory over Newcastle, also at the Brittania. In fact, all fourteen of the points registered since the turn of the year have come from home performances, with the Potters still to pick up a point on their travels in the new year.

A seventh straight away defeat is what Stoke are aiming to avoid when they pay Spurs and White Hart Lane a visit this Saturday, a fixture they ran out 1-0 winners in last season, having lost their last five without even troubling the opposing defence. Almost nine hours are on the clock since Tony Pulis and his coaching staff last celebrated a goal away from fortress Brittania, losing to nil at Arsenal (1-0), Birmingham (1-0), Fulham (2-0), Liverpool (2-0) and more recently West Ham (3-0) – with a 2-0 win over Blackburn Rovers in Lancashire on Boxing Day their last away triumph in the Premier League.

Tony Pulis is in need of some fresh ammunition and so John Carew’s expected return to first-team action following an injury lay-off could prove both timely and the catalyst for a much improved display at White Hart Lane, where they’ll face a Spurs side who may well be feeling a tad sorry for themselves following their humbling in Madrid on Tuesday. Pulis has though rued the news that veteran Danny Higginbottom is out for the remainder of the season after rupturing knee ligaments.

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Betting

Match Prediction: Tottenham to WIN – 1.80 BetFred

Spurs were well and truly put in their place at the Bernabeu on Tuesday by a classy and superior Real Madrid, and the 4-0 drubbing they received in Spain only compounded their four-match run domestically without a win. So worrying times at White Hart Lane for Tottenham chief Harry Redknapp.

The visitors, on the other hand, have been impressive of late, particularly when giving Chelsea the run around a week previous at home. However, they have been so poor away from home in 2011 that for all the encouragement they will have taken from Tottenham’s dejected demeanour at the end of Tuesday’s match in Madrid, they simply cannot be relied upon away from home to take advantage of their opponent’s vulnerabilities.

Harry Redknapp will demand a performance which oozes character, and he has every right to as anything less would leave them open to another Stoke shocker if they don’t mentally overcome their Madrid humbling. Still, with the quality they have, they should punish those homesick Potters.

Value Bet: Jermaine Defoe to Score 2 or More Goals – 10.00 PaddyPower

With Peter Crouch now suspended for the second-leg with Real Madrid in the Champions League, as well as Harry Redknapp not exactly being his biggest fan right now, there’s an opportunity here for Defoe to really lay down a marker for a starting berth at White Hart Lane for when Madrid come to town. A striker hell-bent on impressing his manager hopefully, although he’s spent much of 2011 misfiring.

Match Odds:

Tottenham – 1.80 BetFred
Draw – 3.60 Bet365
Stoke – 5.50 VictorChandler

Stoke V Chelsea

Date & Kick-Off: Saturday, 2 April – 15:00 (GMT)
Venue: Brittania Stadium

Stoke

League Position: 10th
League Form: LLDLW

Unbeaten at home in 2011, Stoke have every right to be confident heading into this weekend’s clash with title-hopefuls Chelsea at the Brittania. However, their record against the Blues is horrific, having lost all previous seven Premiership encounters, and they’ll be hard-pressed to retain their imperious record at home against the resurgent defending league champions.

The Potters have won six and lost none of their eight matches on home soil since the turn of the year, including a 2-1 triumph in the Sixth Round of the FA Cup over West Ham. As a result, the club can now look forward to not only a semi-final clash with Bolton, but also a day out at Wembley, in a match they have every chance of winning and, should they do so, would see them contest the final itself with one of either Man City or Man Utd.

So it’s all smiles around Stoke at the minute; all the more reason why Tony Pulis decided to use the two-week break for internationals as both a bonding and recuperation exercise. The Stoke chief felt a trip to Bournemouth was in order, the plan being that hopefully the players will arrive back in training refreshed and raring to go ahead of this weekend’s crunch fixture.

There shouldn’t be any shortage of confidence or momentum in the Stoke camp either, as last time out they thumped Newcastle 4-0, their fourth win in five league games at the Brittania this year, to record their largest win of the season thus far. Next up is, of course, Chelsea, a team whom they’ve never taken a single point from in previous Premiership meetings. But Stoke have arguably never been better placed to startle a team who have fast become their nemesis.

Chelsea

League Position: 3rd
League Form: LDWWW

Two crunch games await Carlo Ancelotti and Chelsea – Stoke at the Brittania on Saturday before hosting Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League – in a week which could have a large baring on how successful a season this will be for the club which clinched a league and cup double last term.

First up is the Premier League, a competition they are aiming to defend but find themselves in a precarious position, as from here-on-out they simply must win all their remaining league fixtures to stand any chance of catching leaders United. The Blues trail the Red Devils by nine points but can sleep a little easier in the knowledge that they have played one game fewer and still have to travel to Old Trafford in the league before the season is out.

Stoke are their opponents this weekend at the Brittania, which is normally one of the most formidable venues in the top-flight. Not for Chelsea. Carlo Ancelotti has won all four of his duels with Potters manager Tony Pulis; three in the league while the other was in last season’s FA Cup quarter-final, by an overwhelming aggregate of 13-1. Chelsea, meanwhile, have won every single Premiership meeting, five thus far, though needed a last-gasp winner from Florent Malouda to maintain their positive trend in last term’s Brittania battle.

Few would argue that Wednesday’s match with United in the Champions League is of more importance, mainly because all the Chelsea players talk about these days is winning the damn competition. Defeat at the weekend, though, and the Blues can all-but rule themselves out of retaining their league crown.

Their form is good, sparkling in fact, having won their last three on the spin in the league and are now without defeat in five in all competitions, while Carlo Ancelotti also boasts a clean bill of health with his squad as none of the 17 players who were chosen by their country returned home with any problems, including Israel’s Yossi Benayoun who is yet to feature for Chelsea in 2011.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Seasons

2010/2011: Chelsea 2-0 Stoke
2009/2010: Chelsea 7-0 Stoke
2009/2010: Stoke 1-2 Chelsea
2008/2009: Chelsea 2-1 Stoke
2008/2009: Stoke 0-2 Chelsea

Premier League

Stoke wins: 0
Chelsea wins: 5
Draws: 0

Betting

Match Prediction: Chelsea to WIN – 1.70 Boylesports

Chelsea post a flawless record against the Potters and although they were given a rough ride at the Brittania last season, as well as having the distraction of a mouthwatering UEFA Champions League Last-8 clash with Manchester United, I believe Chelsea will have the required steel and focus to ensure they don’t come a cropper in a fixture which has served them well.

Stoke will of course have other ideas and with the form they are in – winning four of their last five at home in the league and having yet to taste defeat at the Brittania in 2011 – are well within their right to fancy their chances. Their aerial prowess, the pace and width which Etherington and Pennant bring to the fore, not to mention their usually rock-solid defence, should serve them well and ensure they definitely aren’t rolled over like they were at the end of last season, when thrashed 7-0 at Stamford Bridge. Still, I just see Chelsea edging this contest, as they did last season.

Value Bet: Chelsea to WIN by 1 Goal (Winning Margin) – 3.75 StanJames

It could be tight, as have the previous two meetings at the Brittania, so backing the Blues to win by the slimmest of margins could pay dividends.

Match Odds:

Stoke – 5.50 PaddyPower
Draw – 3.75 WilliamHill
Chelsea – 1.70 Boylesports

Stoke City V Newcastle United

Date & Kick-Off: Saturday, 19th March – 15:00 (GMT)
Venue: Brittania Stadium

Stoke City

Although we are part of the general consensus who believe Stoke should avoid the drop with something to spare, Tony Pulis is taking nothing for granted and has even informed his players that Saturday’s clash with Newcastle at the Brittania is a must-win game. His comments, considering few genuinely view his team as relegation candidates, may appear a little eccentric at first but the Potters boss has every right to keep his troops on full alert.

The reason behind Pulis’ apprehension and desire to retain focus in the league has an awful lot to do with the FA Cup. Stoke were 2-1 winners over West Ham in the Sixth Round last weekend meaning players and supporters alike have the exciting prospect of a semi-final appearance at the new Wembley, a unique and unforgettable experience for most. While Pulis is immensely proud of his team for their achievements so far this season, he knows where his, the players and the club’s priorities lye, and that’s with the Premier League and prolonging their stay in the most-watched football league in the world.

Focus is the key word, as it would be so easy for complacency and neglect to creep into the dressing room following their success in the cup. However, the Potters can ill-afford either of the above, as while many are of the opinion that they should stave off relegation comfortably, in the meantime they find themselves precariously close to the bottom three. 12th in the table they may be but their position is a tad deceiving, with the drop zone within touching distance, just three points in fact. So it’s no wonder Pulis is demanding another match-winning performance from his players at the weekend, as the club could do with some valuable breathing space.

Even I was a little taken back by just how close Stoke were to the bottom three, although the statistics speak for themselves. The positive for fans is that your team are currently unbeaten in four at the Brittania Stadium, five if you include their semi-final triumph, but overall the Potters have lost three and won none of their previous four league fixtures, home and away. So it’s about time they relocated the winning trail in the league before the club really do find themselves in a fight for survival.

Newcastle United

I know the Geordies love their beverages, so how about this for a question… Is your glass half-empty or half-full?

Alan Pardew’s men are well on course to avoid the drop so what is there to complain about? This is Newcastle we’re talking about, a club who boast some of the most passionate supporters in the land, fans who rarely lack ambition. So they’ll be bitterly disappointed to see their team lumbering over the finish line rather than powering their way through the chequered flag. 

It wasn’t so long ago that fans were targeting a perhaps audacious return to Europe, however those dreams have quickly been dashed courtesy of their lacklustre form since the start of 2011. Now the aim is to finish inside the top-ten, and they are currently on course to complete their mission with the team sat slap-bang in the middle of the league in 10th – five points above the relegation zone. However, the current rate at knots at which they are collecting points could compromise their mission, something Magpies manager Alan Pardew is eager to rectify this weekend.

Newcastle visit Stoke this Saturday in a match which will focus more on the Magpies seeking revenge for their 2-1 reverse at St James’ earlier in the season than any potential six-pointer. Establishing some consistency is just as important however, with Pardew’s men having mustered only one win in eight league games as Newcastle continue to frustrate opponents with their resilient nature and never-say-die qualities but lack that cutting edge in the final third to really put games to bed.

Unlike their match day rivals, Newcastle enjoyed a two-wee break and should be the fresher of the two sets of players. The time away also enabled them to regroup and reassess their end-of-season strategy, as clearly their current plan isn’t working. 2-0 winners away at Birmingham in their most recent away assignment they were but that impressive victory at St Andrews is their one and only triumph in the Premier League for eight games, while they have failed to surpass the one-goal marker in seven of their ten league matches in 2011.

Match Prediction: Draw – 3.30 BetFred

An interesting match-up this between two clubs who should have more than enough in reserve to avoid any relegation scrap in the final few weeks of the season. With that said, neither are completely out of the woods just yet, so it’s important that both sides put in a fully committed performance at the weekend in order to drag themselves over that 40-point which usually guarantees safety as soon as possible.

Newcastle have drawn five of their last eight matches, a sequence which only emphasises their resilience and ability to ground out unattractive points. Stoke, meanwhile, are currently enduring one of their worst spells of the season but generally come good at their Brittania Stadium.

The intriguing aspect about the visitors is that they have plenty of height at the back to contend with Stoke’s aerial prowess, so those dangerous set-plays shouldn’t be as troublesome as they are to other opponents. If they could only take their chances then they may have stood a chance of stealing all three points. However, the Magpies have been woeful in front of goal of late, so it could be another frustrating afternoon for the strikers.

The Potters do generally score at home having done so in 12 of 14 at home in the league this season, but Newcastle are a stubborn sort under Pardew and I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of the Magpies repelling a powerful barrage of Stoke attacks, so I’m plumping for a low-scoring draw, possibly a 0-0. I have never landed a 0-0 before, at least not one I’ve tipped up on here, but this match does appeal for one reason or another.

Value Bet: 0-0 Correct Score – 9.00 StanJames

Match Odds:

Stoke City – 2.30 Bet365
Draw – 3.30 BetFred
Newcastle United – 3.50 VictorChandler

Stoke City V West Ham United

Date & kick-off: Sunday, 13th March – 14:00 (GMT)
Venue: Brittania Stadium
TV Coverage: ITV1

Stoke City

- The Potters have never made it all the way to an FA Cup final, while their last appearance in the semi-finals was back in 1972.

- Tony Pulis doesn’t have any fresh concerns with regards to injured personnel, with Matthew Etherington back in the side after recovering from a persistent back problem.

- Stoke are currently unbeaten in their last six matches at the Brittania Stadium, winning four and drawing two.

- Over five years have passed since Stoke last tasted defeat at home in the FA Cup, the Potters unbeaten in their previous seven home ties, five of which were victories.

After being dumped out at this very stage in proceedings last season, Stoke are determined to go one better second time around as they bid to make their first ever appearance in an FA Cup final. Their passage then was far more difficult than their current one, which is perhaps a small omen for the Potters, that the tide may well be turning in their favour, as on Sunday, Stoke will tackle relegation-threatened West Ham at the Brittania in a tie they are seen as firm favourites to progress in despite losing 3-0 to the same outfit a week ago.

En route to a 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge to Chelsea in the 2009/2010 FA Cup, Stoke recorded some stunning wins, which included handsome victories over both Arsenal and Manchester City. It has been a little more straightforward this time around, with the Potters having to overcome Cardiff City in the Third Round, with the help of a replay, as well as hard-fought wins away at Wolves (0-1) and at home to Brighton (3-0). Favourable would be one way of describing their draw so far, and that’s exactly how we view their Sixth Round assignment against the Hammers, albeit against an improving East London outfit.

February 2006 was the last time Stoke were defeated in a home FA Cup encounter, winning five of their previous seven ties at the Brittania. Their record on their own turf in the league isn’t half-bad either, winning seven and losing just four of fourteen this season. So it’s hardly surprising that myself and so many others rate their chances of going one better than last season.

However, the Potters have lacked a bit of consistency in recent weeks, with their 3-0 reverse at Upton Park against West Ham – a match the Potters were completely out-played in – stretching their winless to three games, although, once again we’re straight back to their imperious record at home, having gone their last six matches unbeaten inside what has become fortress Brittania, recording five wins and two draws. Tony Pulis will also be boosted by the return to fitness of impressive winger Matthew Etherington.

To win the 2010/2011 FA Cup – 13.00 (12/1) SkyBet

West Ham United

- The Hammers have made five FA Cup final appearances during their time, the most recent in 2006 when losing to Liverpool on penalties, winning the competition three times.

- A 3-0 defeat of Stoke last Saturday was West Ham’s third consecutive win in all competitions, their longest winning sequence for over three years.

- Avram Grant is still without the services of Junior Stanislas, Jack Collison, Kieron Dyer and Robbie Keane although midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger has returned with a bang, scoring in two of his last three starts.

- Prolific isn’t normally a word you associate with one of Avram Grant’s teams, however the Hammers have now racked up an impressive tally of goals in a short space of time, 14 from their last 4.

I know I’ve said this on virtually every occasion the Hammers have been involved in cup competition this season, but they really have come on leaps and bounds outside of the Premier League under Avram Grant, the Israeli who is bidding for a second successive FA Cup final after guiding cash-strapped Portsmouth to last season’s show-piece.

But it isn’t as though this particular club doesn’t have previous with the competition, having lifted the FA Cup on three occasions, as well as coming within a penalty shoot-out defeat of winning the 2005/2006 edition only to lose out to Liverpool, so it would be fair to say that West Ham’s FA Cup credentials dwarf that of their Sixth Round rivals, who have never made a final, let alone lift the most prestigious domestic cup in club football.

West Ham manager Avram Grant couldn’t of wished for a richer vein of form to carry into Sunday’s daunting clash at the Brittania, where his men battled gamely earlier in the season to earn a hard-fought yet thoroughly deserved point during a league encounter. The Hammers are currently enjoying their best run of form in over three years, a run which fittingly climaxed last weekend with an emphatic 3-0 defeat of Stoke at Upton Park. That was their third win on the spin, following up impressive victories over Burnley in the Fifth Round but also Liverpool, beating a then in-form Reds side impressively, as well as comprehensively, 3-1.

As impressive as Grant’s men have been of late, it’s important we don’t get too ahead of ourselves, as that their sparkling form has centred around Upton Park, where they have scored 11 of their 14 goals in four games. It’s a different story on the road however, with a 3-1 victory away at Blackpool their only away win in five. But the simple fact they’ve relocated the goal trail, and emphatically so, is a massive plus, and with centre-back duo Matthew Upson and James Tomkins back from injury to hopefully counter Stoke’s aerial prowess, the Hammers are by no means a forlorn hope, despite how formidable the Potters are in general at home.

To win the 2010/2011 FA Cup – 23.00 (22/1) StanJames

Match Prediction: Draw – 3.50 (12/5) BetFred

So what does happen when fire meets fire, as Stoke are generally red-hot at the Brittania while West Ham are quite simply on fire at the minute?

Rarely do the Potters fail to stamp their mark on a home fixture, with their robust, physical nature making them one of the toughest nuts to crack. They are a nuisance from set-plays, but Pulis also has width in the form of Matty Etherington and Jermaine Pennant that ensures the aerial threat through John Carew, Kenwyn Jones and Jonathan Walters stretches far further than the odd set-piece.

West Ham, though, well there’s an aurora about them right now, with the team in fine form. Suddenly, it’s all beginning to fall into lace for Avram Grant, who now has the reigns of a team which have not only won its previous three fixtures, albeit back in East London, but have also been slamming home the goals. The two entwined instils so much confidence and belief into a dressing room.

This is definitely the most intriguing match-up of the four FA Cup encounters this weekend, even if it doesn’t look all that glamorous on paper. Had this been at Upton Park, where West Ham spanked Stoke 3-0 barely a week ago, then we would have slapped our money on another Hammers victory, but the Brittania factor does level the playing field. So another hard-fought draw for West Ham it is, with the pair playing out a 1-1 stalemate back in September when the two sides clashed in the Premier League.

Value Bet: Thomas Hitzlsperger to Score – 6.75 (23/4) Unibet

The German has spent much of the season on the sidelines but has announced his return to first-team football with aplomb, scoring on his début in the Fifth Round against Burnley, a stunning effort that was as well, and also again just last weekend in the 3-0 rout of Stoke at Upton Park. He has a hammer of a let-foot on him and with the Stoke defence usually so well organised, it may take a moment of brilliance to break open the deadlock. Step up ‘Der Hammer’!

Match Odds:

Stoke City – 2.20 (6/5) Bet365
Draw – 3.50 (5/2) BetFred
West Ham United – 3.60 (13/5) PaddyPower

More information:
Soccer Bet

Stoke City V West Bromwich Albion

Date & Kick-Off: Monday, 28th February – 20:00 (GMT)
Venue: Brittania Stadium
TV Coverage: Sky Sports HD1

Preview

It’s the final match of the weekend and while it may not be the most glamorous of fixtures on paper, this match is of huge significance to not only the two parties involved but also the clubs in and around them, especially after another enthralling weekend of Premier League action.

Impressive wins for both West Ham and Wolves at the weekend meant West Brom were demoted several places in the standings. The Baggies now reside in 19th position in the table, a point shy of bottom but level on points with Wolves in 17th meaning a result of any sort would see their brief spell inside the bottom three come to an abrupt and welcome end.

Stoke, meanwhile, are plotting a return to the top-half of the table, with even a point from Monday’s clash enough for them to leapfrog Everton into tenth. Their manager, however, has quashed claims that his side are too good for the drop, the Potters chief strongly of the belief that any one of ten clubs could conceivably suffer such an ill-fate, and that even the magic 40-point marker may not be enough to fend off the threat of relegation this season.

Stoke City

If the 40-point milestone which normally guarantees a club survival does work its magic once again this season, then Stoke are just seven points away from booking another term in the Premier League. There are also numerous opportunities left for them to register the seven points required, although few more ample than Monday night’s meeting with an ailing West Brom side at the Brittania Stadium.

The Potters are without defeat in their last five games at home, justifying why we always refer to the home of Stoke City as a ‘fortress’. Furthermore, they even boast a 100% record at home in 2011 – beating Brighton 3-0 in the Fifth Round of the FA Cup as well as wins over Everton (2-0), Bolton (2-0) and Sunderland (3-2) in the league.

And if that wasn’t enough food for thought, a fourth straight league win on Monday would equal their previous best winning sequence in the Barclay’s Premier League, a feat they last achieved back in November 2008. Ironically, West Brom played a part in that run two seasons ago. In fact, the Baggies have done the Potters several favours in recent times, by basically rolling over, as victory would also maintain another 100% record, the one they hold over West Brom having won the previous three Premier League meetings, all without conceding a single goal.

Not often do you see Stoke as the odds-on favourites to record a win in the top-flight, but with their opponents in dire straights and their own form encouraging, at home imperious, the general consensus is that Stoke will once again romp to a comfortable victory over the Baggies, who are in free-fall.

In their last encounter, Stoke felt they were hard done-by to leave Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium without nothing whatsoever to show for their efforts. Just one goal from an Arsenal defender, ironically from a set-play, an area Stoke are usually immaculate in, was enough to down the Potters in a match they created more than enough opportunities in front of goal to merit a share of the spoils. But despite the widespread compliments they received after the game, that disappointing endeavour is now in the past and if the club are to retain their top-flight status for a third successive term, Monday’s fixture is one they simply have to convert into maximum points as none of their remaining assignments are as straightforward as this baby on paper.

West Brom

As far as weekends go, there won’t be many worse should they not take at least something from their visit to Stoke on Monday night. Emphatic wins for both West Ham and Wolves saw the Baggies slide several places down the league into 19th, second from bottom, a position which only reflects their dismal run of form and probably an early indication of roughly where the club will end up at the end of the season, which is basically in deep trouble.

With former Baggie manager Roberto Di Matteo shown the door just two weeks ago, some would say unfairly so, the mammoth, and some would also say unenviable task of steering West Bromwich Albion away from the relegation mire has been left with newly appointed Roy Hodgson. The vastly experienced manager who struggled at Liverpool earlier in the season is nevertheless confident that he can salvage a season which began with promise but has turned sour ever since.

So what does the former Blackburn, Fulham and Liverpool tactician have to deal with? Basically a team on the wane, a side well and truly on the downward slope and heading straight for a routine relegation. A hard-fought but slightly fortuitous 3-2 victory over Blackpool at The Hawthorns remains their one and only triumph in an otherwise barren two-and-a-half-months spell. That’s one win in eleven in the league, a run which is only compounded by the fact that seven of those were defeats and somewhere in between all of this carnage was an FA Cup Third Round reverse away to Reading.

Throw in some severe lack of confidence and belief, some drastic away form which has seen them lose five on the spin in the league but also fail to score in 450 minutes of away football, as well as some injury concerns and a recent bout of illness, and there would be few who would argue with out next statement that surely Roy Hodgson has signed over his managerial soul to a club destined for the drop, so it would seem anyway.

As one corny 90′s track once went, things can only get better. Put it this way, how can they possibly get any worse? It’s been apparent for some time now that the dressing room is in desperate need of a confidence booster, so perhaps Hodgson’s arrival will be the catalyst for an heroic last-ditch effort to fend off a seemingly inevitable drop. Scoring a stoppage-time equaliser in the Black Country derby last weekend may have also done the trick, Carlos Vela scoring on his début on loan from Arsenal and a second goal in only his second appearance for the Baggies would only further endear him to the Baggies’ fans.

———————————————–

Background Information

Previous encounter

These two last met back in November when West Brom were going through a sticky patch at the same time as Stoke were enjoying one of the better spells of the season. The in-form side won, justifying the form book, although few seen a 3-0 scoreline coming. Goals from Matthew Etherington and a Jonathan Walters brace sealed an outstanding 3-0 victory for the Potters at The Hawthorns, home of a Baggies side whose best stuff invariably tends to come on home soil.

Form

Stoke entertain West Brom on the back of a disappointing 1-0 defeat away to Arsenal, disappointing because of the fact they did carve out enough opportunities in front of goal to take something from an extremely difficult fixture. That was their fourth defeat in seven games, each of those without finding the back of the net, with the Potters bizarrely alternating between winning and losing for the past seven matches and after their loss at the Emirates, are now due a winning outcome should the pattern continue.

However, it’s worth baring in mind that the Brittania does bring a more consistent side out of Stoke, who are now without defeat in their previous five matches on home soil, winning four. Victory on Monday would also be their fourth league win on the spin, equalling their longest ever winning sequence in the Premier League.

To some, the dismissal of Roberto Di Matteo as West Brom manager came of little surprise considering the Baggies are stuck in a right old rut at the minute which has seen them muster just one win in their last twelve matches, seven of which were league losses, while they are currently without a win in five in the league.

It only gets worse when you look at their away form, the Baggies having lost their previous five away matches in the Premier League, the last four without even scoring – 450 minutes of football without scoring on their travels. And in this same losing five-match sequence on the road, West Brom have shipped an alarming amount of goals, 12 in total, and post the second-worst defensive record in the entire top-flight, conceding 52 goals in just 27 matches.

Head-to-Head (Premier League):

Stoke WINS – 3
Draws – 0
West Brom WINS – 0

2010/2011: West Brom 0-3 Stoke
2009/2010: West Brom 0-2 Stoke
2009/2010: Stoke 1-0 West Brom

———————————————–

Team News

Stoke City

The Potters could be without one of their main goal providers for Monday’s night contest with West Brom, with tricky winger Matthew Etherington doubtful because of a back problem which kept him out of Stoke’s trip to Arsenal a week ago.

With Kenwyn Jones having plundered just the one goal since September, Jonathan Walters should lead the attack alongside on-loan Villa hitman John Carew, who has a 100% strike rate at the Brittania as a Stoke player and already has three goals under his belt during his loan spell.

Abdoulaye Faye has a hamstring complaint and is unlikely to play any part in proceedings.

West Brom

After missing the Black Country derby with Wolves last weekend, Baggies keeper Scott Carson could return to the starting fold following a bout of illness.

Jonas Olsson and Graham Dorrans were also absent a week ago with illness but should return to the squad at least, as should Yousuff Mulumbu from a hamstring injury.

Defender Marek Cech is extremely doubtful with a groin injury which has kept him out of West Brom’s last couple of games.

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Betting Odds & Tips

Match Prediction: West Brom to WIN – 3.50 Betfred

As highly as the club rate him as a manager, I’m afraid to say we don’t fancy his chances much of saving West Brom’s bacon. Absolutely everything would point towards a home win, the Potters boasting some outstanding credentials on paper, so anything other than a resounding victory for the Potters inside a raucous Brittania Stadium would be a gigantic turn up for the books.

Then again, we mustn’t forget what league this is. The Premier League has a tendency to throw a few spanners in the work, as Sunday’s results showed.

Unfortunately, finding reasons why we should oppose the Potters and take a chance on the hopeless Baggies is proving almost impossible. Their form over the last couple of months has been appalling, while their recent form on the road is atrocious, we try to back the underdog whenever possible, simply because it brings more satisfaction when you call it right, and on this instance we’re clinging onto the Hodgson factor, the fact his appointment is still fresh and that some may actually put in a decent shift for a change.

Value Bet: Carlos Vela to Score – 4.50 Unibet

There are several in this West Brom team with a point or two to prove, some who weren’t getting a look-in under the previous regime. Vela is one of them, not that he was even there when Di Matteo was around but the Mexican starlet has barely been in contention for Arsenal this season and after scoring the equalising goal on his début last time out in the Black Country derby, will be eager to send out another message to his onlooking manager, Arsene Wenger.

Match Odds:

Stoke City – 1.91 Bet365
Draw – 3.50 Betfred
West Brom – 4.50 Coral

First Goalscorer Odds:

All odds with Betfred, who will be doing their ‘Double Delight & Hat-Trick Heaven’ promotion for the match in question. In its simplest form, simply choose who you will think will open the scoring and if that same player goes on to finish the match with two goals, BetFred will double your winnings. Should that same player who opened the scoring go on to score a hat-trick (3 goals), BetFred would then treble your winnings!

Stoke City

John Carew – 5.50 (9/2)
Kenwyn Jones – 5.50 (9/2)
Jonathan Walters – 6.50 (11/2)
Matthew Etherington – 10.11 (9/1)
Roberth Huth – 13.00 (12/1)
Jermaine Pennant – 17.00 (16/1)
Glenn Whelan – 17.00 (16/1)
Ryan Shawcross – 21.00 (20/1)
Marc Wilson – 21.00 (20/1)
Rory Delap – 26.00 (25/1)
Danny Higginbottom – 26.00 (25/1)

West Brom

Peter Odemwingie – 8.50 (13/2)
Carlos Vela – 9.00 (8/1)
Marc-Antoine Fortune – 10.00 (9/1)
Chris Brunt – 12.00 (11/1)
Graham Dorrans – 12.00 (11/1)
Jerome Thomas – 13.00 (12/1)
James Morrison – 15.00 (14/1)
Somen Tchoyi – 15.00 (14/1)
Paul Scharner – 21.00 (20/1)
Youssouf Mulumbu – 21.00 (20/1)
Nicky Shorey – 41.00 (40/1)
Gianni Zuiverloon – 41.00 (40/1)
Pablo – 51.00 (50/1)

More information:
Soccer Bet

Stoke City V Brighton Hove & Albion

Date and Kick-Off: Saturday, 19th February – 15:00 (GMT)
Venue: Brittania Stadium
Competition: FA Cup; Fifth Round

Gus Poyet’s Brighton have been setting the nPower League Two alight all season and have even had the audacity to replicate their league form – the Seagulls sat atop of the League Two table with a healthy three-point cushion but also with a couple of games in hand – into their FA Cup campaign, a competition in which they are now searching for their third successive scalp after beating supposedly superior opposition in the Third and Fourth Rounds in Portsmouth and Watford respectively. Stoke, though, will take the shape of a giant inside the intimidating Brittania Stadium, but this is a Brighton side in top-top shape who will genuinely believe they have what it takes to slay their Goliath on Saturday.

This an interesting match-up between Stoke City from the Premiership, who will be under intense pressure considering they’re the favourites and won’t want to be remembered as that side who played their part in a famous FA Cup giant-killing, and a Brighton team bang in form and brimming with confidence. However, it will also be the first ever meeting between the two in the FA Cup, and also the first in any competition for nearly five years.

Despite the bookies wary of an upset, they’ve had little choice but to install the Premiership side as the favourites in a match which has every chance of producing the shock of the round. Stoke, sat 10th in the Barclay’s Premier League, are 7/10 (1.70) with WilliamHill to avoid a Fifth Round shocker and dump Brighton, who are as big as 9/2 with PaddyPower to complete the giant-killing, out of the competition. Should this end in stalemate, Brighton will definitely fancy their chances in the replay back at the Withdean. It’s 3/1 the draw with VictorChandler.

Stoke City

In the knowledge that the team are going great guns in the league and with the club seemingly on course to retain their top-flight status for a third successive year, Stoke manager Tony Pulis has the luxury of naming a full-strength starting XI for Saturday’s Fifth Round FA Cup tie with League One’s Brighton Hove & Albion.

The word consistency hasn’t been branded about a lot of late with regards to Stoke City, with the Potters struggling to string a couple of wins together at present. But the team haven’t forgotten how to win games and despite going the best part of three months without notching up back-to-back victories in the Premier League, still find themselves in a cushy mid-table position, six-points above the drop-zone. So, for the time being at least, the threat of relegation isn’t immediate and that leaves Pulis with the freedom to select whichever team he fancies on Saturday at the Brittania.

Pulis will also feel he has a score to settle with the Quarter-Finals after bowing out at that very stage last season away at Stamford Bridge, home of eventual winners Chelsea. The Stoke boss felt his team didn’t get their just rewards for all their hard work during that campaign, where they beat Arsenal and Manchester City along the way only to be handed an almost impossible Last-8 encounter. Their journey hasn’t been as strenuous this time around, dumping Cardiff City out in the Third Round before snatching a spot in the Fifth Round courtesy of a typically clinical display away at Wolves, when winning 1-0 at Molineux. And it would appear their route through to the Quarter-Finals is a lot more straightforward on paper than it was last term, with the Potters being handed lower league opposition in the Fifth Round in a match the vast majority expect them to do the business in.

There is little doubt as to who the favourites are, but there’s also no doubt as to which of the two will end up looking silly should they fail in their bids to reach the Fifth Round. Stoke are playing a team from League One, albeit the league leaders, and so anything less than victory at the Brittania, a stadium in which they boast a 50% winning ratio in the Premier League this season, genuinely would send ripples around the country. Fortunately for Pulis, Matthew Etherington could return to bring some much-needed creativity to the fore, however, Kenwyn Jones, Stoke’s second top-scorer this season with 6 in all competitions, may lose his place after plundering a miserly one goal in his last 14 games.

Brighton

No-one at Brighton Hove & Albion is under any illusion of how difficult their Fourth Round assignment with Premiership-outfit Stoke City is, nor have they lost their sense of perspective and forgotten that the club’s main goal this season is to secure promotion back to the Championship, but there’s a growing sense of excitement, dare we even say expectancy, that the League One pacesetters are set to provide FA Cup romantics with the shock of the round.

Brighton have been almost unstoppable down in League One this season, the club well on their way to not only securing promotion but also clinching the 2010/2011 nPower League One. The Seagulls are three points clear at the top but having also played two games fewer than their nearest pursuer. However, the club are refusing to put all their eggs in one basket and for that reason, Gus Poyet, the Brighton manager who has first-hand experience with the FA Cup having won this competition as a player with Chelsea back in 2000, will name his strongest possible eleven on Saturday in a bid to oust the Premiership big-hitters from the competition and secure another possibly lucrative tie in the Quarter-Finals.

Victory at the Brittania Stadium would also be another notable scalp to add to their growing collection. The League One outfit have been involved in the competition since the very beginning, well, since the rounds had ‘Proper’ at the end. However, as soon as the big boys entered the fray in the Third Round, Brighton were one of a select few who rolled up their sleeves and believed they could be the team to really turn heads this season. In the Third Round, Portsmouth were their victims at the Withdean, while it was Championship side Watford in the Fourth Round. Of course, it goes without saying that Stoke are a more established club, and boast a better array of players than the aforementioned clubs combined, but it’s all the proof anyone needs that Brighton won’t be overawed by the romantic settings nor the formidable presence of Stoke at the Brittania which awaits them on Saturday.

The statistics only paints a more colourful image of what is a team enjoying their football at the present time, and team flying high in their domestic division. Just one defeat in their last nine games is formidable form they’re taking with them to Stoke. And they definitely shouldn’t be outplayed either, as this is a side who play possession football, and they’ll be patient in going about working an opening. Glenn Murray (14) and Ashley Barnes (10) account for almost half of their league goals this season, so there’s already two players folk need to keep an eye out for in a team which scores plenty of goals but also knows how to defend.

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Recent Form

Stoke City

Last 5 in All Competitions

12/02/2011: Birmingham 1-0 Stoke (Premiership)
05/02/2011: Stoke 3-2 Sunderland (Premiership)
02/02/2011: Liverpool 2-0 Stoke (Premiership)
30/01/2011: Wolves 0-1 Stoke (FA Cup)
22/01/2011: Fulham 2-0 Stoke (Premiership)

- Stoke have been alternating between winning and losing for five games and after defeat last time out in Birmingham, are now due a win should the pattern continue.

Last 5 Home Games

05/02/2011: Stoke 3-2 Sunderland
15/01/2011: Stoke 2-0 Bolton
08/01/2011: Stoke 1-1 Cardiff (FA Cup)
01/01/2011: Stoke 2-0 Everton
28/12/2010: Stoke 0-2 Fulham

- The Potters are without defeat in their last four games at home, with three of those wins, while they’ve only suffered four defeats at their Brittania stadium all season (16 games).

2010/2011 FA Cup

Third Round: Stoke 1-1 Cardiff (Stoke won the replay 2-0 over in Cardiff after Extra-Time)
Fourth Round: Wolves 0-1 Stoke

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Brighton

Last 5 in All Competitions

12/02/2011: Brighton 4-1 Hartlepool (League One)
05/02/2011: Bristol Rovers 2-4 Brighton (League One)
01/02/2011: Leyton Orient 0-0 Brighton (League One)
29/01/2011: Watford 0-1 Brighton (FA Cup)
25/01/2011: Brighton 2-0 Colchester (League One)

- Brighton have lost just one of their last 11 games, 8 of those were victories.
- Have scored in 13 of their previous 14 fixtures.

Last 5 Away Games

05/02/2011: Bristol Rovers 2-4 Brighton
01/02/2011: Leyton Orient 0-0 Brighton
29/01/2011: Watford 0-1 Brighton (FA Cup)
22/01/2011: Bournemouth 1-0 Brighton
03/01/2011: Exeter 1-2 Brighton

- Are without defeat in their last three away matches, scoring at least one goal in 12 of their previous 14.

2010/2011 FA Cup

First Round: Brighton 0-0 Woking (Brighton won the replay on penalties after a 2-2 draw in normal time)
Second Round: Brighton 1-1 FC United of Manchester (Brighton won the replay 4-0)
Third Round: Brighton 3-1 Portsmouth
Fourth Round: Watford 0-1 Brighton

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Head-to-Head

Last 5 Seasons

No fixtures contested between the two during the previous five seasons.

FA Cup

These two have never contested an FA Cup tie previously.

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2010/2011 League Statistics

Stoke City (Premier League)

League Position: 10th
Win-Draw-Lose: 10-3-13 (Home: 7-2-4)
Goal Difference: 31-33 (Home: 19-14)
Top Scorer: Robert Huth (6)

Brighton Hove & Albion (League One)

League Position: 1st
Win-Draw-Lose: 16-8-4 (Away: 6-4-4)
Goal Difference: 52-22 (Away: 20-12)
Top Scorer: Glenn Murray (14)

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More information:
Football Gambling

Birmingham City V Stoke City

Saturday, 12th February – 15:00 (GMT)
Venue: St Andrews

If the neutrals are after a thriller this weekend to rival those which encapsulated what the Premiership is all about seven days ago, I would steer well clear of St Andrews as the league’s two most unimaginative teams clash in Birmingham on Saturday in what has ‘dull’ and ‘stalemate’ written all over it.

No team in the top-flight has carved out fewer goalscoring opportunities this season than Alex McLeish’s Birmingham, who have Stoke directly above them in this most glamorous of charts. Furthermore, after careful observation and painstaking number crunching, no venue in the Premier League has seen fewer goals than St Andrews this season, edging out Fulham’s Craven Cottage and Blackburn’s Ewood Park for the unwanted honour of being the dullest ground in the English top-flight as far as goals-per-game goes. At this rate, especially if the Blues do go down, fans will be demanding a refund at the end of the season as St Andrews certainly doesn’t boast value for money.

So, anyone fancy the draw? The only previous meeting at St Andrews in the Premiership came last season when the pair played out a not-so-enthralling 0-0 draw. Even the encounters at the Brittania have been close-run-things – 2009/2010: Stoke 0-1 Birmingham; 2010/2011: Stoke 3-2 Birmingham – so it would appear the writing is well and truly on the wall as another evenly fought contest looms large.

Match Odds:

Birmingham City – 2.50 Boylesports (General)
Draw – 3.30 VictorChandler
Stoke City – 3.00 Coral

Birmingham City

The Premiership is establishing a nasty reputation when it comes to the dismissal of managers, and reports suggest Birmingham’s Alex McLeish isn’t too far off being the next manager to see his managerial tenure with a club he’s worked wonders with brought to an abrupt end. Fortunately for him, his team have come good as soon as the rumour mill began to churn – registering four points from their last two league games as well as qualifying for the Carling Cup final – his players doing their absolute all for his cause at a time when one more horrific result could spell the end.

Hopefully these rumours circling aren’t true, as while we cannot stand watching Birmingham under Alex McLeish’s watch, we do admire how he has gone about making a previously lightweight Blues side into one of the most difficult sides to overcome, especially when playing on home turf. Only Arsenal and Everton have won at their St Andrews stadium all term, while draws with Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur only emphasise our points. Oh, and they did beat Chelsea 1-0 back in November.

Before last weekend’s fixtures came to a dramatic conclusion, Birmingham were floundering in the relegation zone. A dogged, workmanlike display at Upton Park last Sunday earned them a hard-fought 1-0 win courtesy of Nikola Zigic’s fourth league goals of the season. The three points may prove invaluable in the long-run, but even in the short term it has given the Blues a more healthy complexion. Sitting in 16th, albeit just a point above the bottom three, is still far better for morale than occupying a relegation berth and on Saturday, when McLeish welcomes Tony Pulis and his hard working Stoke side to St Andrews, Birmingham have the opportunity to register back-to-back victories in the Premier League for the first time in eleven months, although, more importantly, put even more breathing space between them and the drop.

Ben Foster has been a revelation in goal for Birmingham this season, with the Blues boasting a more tidier defence than any of their relegation counterparts. However, the former Manchester United shot-stopper’s participation at the weekend remains shrouded in doubts after he withdrew from the England squad during the week with injury. McLeish is, however, confident Foster will be fit in time for Saturday, when he will be aiming to keep his eighth clean sheet of the campaign. Alex Hleb was fit enough to play for Belarus on Wednesday so should be available for Stoke, however the rock-solid Scott Dann has been ruled out for the rest of the season after tearing his hamstring.

Stoke City

Tony Pulis, ever the pragmatist, is urging both his own team and the fans to air on the side of caution and to remain professional until the very end of the season if the club are to set new personal bests. The Potters have only spent two season in the Premiership but, after finishing both campaigns well clear of the bottom three, have become an established top-flight club in the eyes of most. We still have our doubts although, after another remarkable league campaign which recently saw Stoke become only the seventh side this season to reach double figures in the wins column, even we freely admit that Pulis has once again done a sterling job and you get the feeling now that only a couple more points are needed in order to pop open the bubbly and celebrate another successful battle with relegation; with Pulis speculating that another seven points should seal the deal.

Even though the club are on course to comfortably avoid the drop for a third successive season, Tony Pulis won’t set his sights on bettering Stoke’s previous best finish of 11th during the 2009/2010 term until everything is finalised. However, the club are well on course to clinch a top-ten finish for the very first time although Pulis is wary that the fans are beginning to demand more than is humanely possible from a side which continues to punch above its weight, though mixing it with the finest in the country has almost become second-nature to those still enthusiastic Potters.

Form-wise, Stoke are a mixed bag. The middle of November was the last occasion when Stoke strung a couple of victories together, with league wins not exactly being at a premium ever since but consistency certainly hasn’t been their forte of late. For instance, last weekend’s comeback victory at home over Sunderland helped end a two-match losing sequence yet the club are already gearing up for the possibility of a second successive Quarter-Final appearance in the FA Cup after Stoke drew League One’s Brighton in the Fifth Round.

The Brittania Stadium has a certain aurora to it which makes playing at home a powerful advantage. Take the Potters outside of the comfort zone, though, and you have a team nowhere near as potent (W3 D1 L8). And on Saturday, Tony Pulis will go about plotting Birmingham’s downfall as Stoke go in search of their first away point of 2011, after losing all three of their away encounters since the turn of the year: Manchester United 2-1 Stoke City; Fulham 2-0 Stoke City & Liverpool 2-0 Stoke City.

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Recent Form (Last 5)

Birmingham City

Premiership: West Ham 0-1 Birmingham City
Premiership: Birmingham City 2-2 Manchester City
FA Cup: Birmingham City 3-2 Coventry City
Carling Cup: Birmingham City 3-1 West Ham
Premiership: Manchester United 5-0 Birmingham City

Stoke City

Premiership: Stoke City 3-2 Sunderland
Premiership: Liverpool 2-0 Stoke City
FA Cup: Wolves 0-1 Stoke City
Premiership: Fulham 2-1 Stoke City
FA Cup: Cardiff City 0-2 Stoke City

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2010/2011 Premiership Statistics

Birmingham City

League Position: 16th
Win-Draw-Lose: 5-12-7 (Home: 3-7-2)
Goal Difference: 24-33 (Home: 12-13)
Form: WDLDW (Home: DDLDD)
Top Scorer: Craig Gardner (5)

Stoke City

League Position: 9th
Win-Draw-Lose: 10-3-12 (Away: 3-1-8)
Goal Difference: 31-32 (Away: 12-18)
Form: LWLLW (Away: DWLLL)
Top Scorer: Robert Huth (6)

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Head-to-Head (Premiership: Last 5 Seasons)

2010/2011: Stoke City 3-2 Birmingham City

2009/2010: Stoke City 0-1 Birmingham City
2009/2010: Birmingham City 0-0 Stoke City

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Value Bet: Under 1.5 Goals @ 3.00 Bet365

Quite simply, Birmingham do not do goals. Neither does St Andrews for that matter, while Stoke aren’t a great deal better at this scoring lark either. Stoke’s 12 away goals is right up their with the very worst, while no team has mustered fewer goals at home this season than Birmingham City. It would be typical for this game to end 3-3, but that seems highly unlikely. Instead, I’d be more inclinded to stick a few quid on a dour 0-0 draw.

If the form book is right, this match will end without any goals. BlueSquare go 9/1 (10.00) on such a scenario, which seems mighty generous. Too good to be true I suppose.