Stoke

Queens Park Rangers

Manager: Neil Warnock
Stadium: Loftus Road
Star Man: Adel Taarabt
2010-2011 Position: Champions in Championship

Summer Transfer Activity (Notable Transfer)

Arrivals – Kieron Dyer, Danny Gabbidon, Jay Bothroyd,

Departures – Mikel Leigertwood

Overview: You would have thought, what with Queens Park Rangers securing promotion to the Premier League as Championship champions, that fans would be buzzing ahead of the new season. That hasn’t really been the case at Loftus Road. Owned by F1 duo Berie Ecclestone and Falvio Briatore, between them the pair have handed manager Nigel Warnock next to nothing in regards to a summer transfer kitty, and as a result the QPR boss has had to have his wits about him in the window.

Three of Neil Warnock’s four summer signings arrived at Loftus Road without the club having to shell out a fee, with Jay Bothroyd having failed to agree terms with former employers Cardiff while Danny Gabbidon and Kieron Dyer were both released by West Ham upon relegation from the Premier League last season. Striker DJ Campbell is Warnock’s only major coup so far, costing the club somewhere in the region of £2M, which is nothing in Premier League terms.

So an underwhelming pre-season so far for QPR, who have spent considerably less than the other newly-promoted outfits, Norwich and Swansea. And it could get a whole lot worse were their star man from last season, Adel Taarabt, who, from what I’ve heard from Nigel Warnock, seems to cause more hassle than he’s actually worth.

A long season is in the offing for Rangers in what is their first spell back in the Premier League since they were relegated in 1995-1996.

QPR TO BE RELEGATED: 7/4 UNIBET

Stoke City

Manager: Tony Pulis
Stadium: Brittania Stadium
Star Man: Jonathan Walters
2010-2011 Position: 13th

Summer Transfer Activity

Arrivals – Matthew Upson, Jonathan Woodgate (Tottenham)

Departures – Abdoulaye Faye, Eidur Gudjohnsen, Ibrahima Sonko,

Overview: Clubs who aspire to be in the Premier League should follow Stoke City’s philosophy, a club who refuse to spend beyond their means. Not once, since they were promoted to the top-flight in 2008, have the Potters looked a club in danger of going down. In fact, they’ve grown in stature year-by-year, and last season they were on the cusp of achieving something truly remarkable, only to lose 1-0 in the final of the FA Cup to big-spending Manchester City.

So just how do Stoke better their achievements of last season? Simple really; stay-up. That is the goal each and every season, and it will be the same in 2011-2012. But are they at their most exposed after a summer of very little transfer activity – especially as they’ll also have Europe to contend with!

Tony Pulis has successfully retained all of his prized assets though, and while Matthew Upson and Jonathan Woodgate arrive at the Brittania on free transfers, after both defenders were deemed surplus to requirements at West Ham and Tottenham, the pair have both been capped by their country and will be fantastic acquisitions, joining up with a group of tenacious, hard-working individuals.

However, their European commitments could cause them a spot of bother. The Potters will partake in the UEFA Europa League for the very first time in 2011-2012, provided they come through the qualifying rounds unscathed, which will mean plenty more air miles, possibly as far as Eastern Europe, while there’s also the not so small matter of exhaustion and fatigue creeping into the dressing room by the time the team are back in league action the following Sunday, just three days after competing in Europe.

Could the excitement of Stoke’s first spell in Europe for nearly four decades lead to their demise this season?

STOKE TO BE RELEGATED: 10/1 VICTORCHANDLER

Sunderland

Manager: Steve Bruce
Stadium: Stadium of Light
Star Man: Asamoah Gyan
2010-2011 Position: 10th

Summer Transfer Activity

Arrivals – Wes Brown (Man Utd), Ahmed Elmohamady, Craig Gardner, John O’Shea (Man Utd), Kieran Westwood, Connor Wickham, David Vaughan

Departures – David Healy, Jordan Henderson (Liverpool)

Overview: One man who is always on his toes during pre-season is Steve Bruce, and the 50-year-old has done his fair share of wheeling and dealing in the summer. To be honest, though, he had his hands forced after his team’s Jekyll & Hyde performance last season.

It really was a season of two halves for Sunderland in 2010-2011. Come Christmas they were shaping up as a good bet for a top-six finish and a return to European action. But then Darren Bent was controversially sold to rivals Aston Villa, a host of key men picked up injuries that would rule them out for the remainder of the campaign, and the team’s form suddenly plummeted – and, come the final game, Sunderland were very fortunate to still be a Premiership club.

So it was always a likely scenario that Steve Bruce would be a busy bee during the summer, as he seeks to resolve his team’s inconsistency issues -  after all, his war chest is bigger than most. The big-money departures of Darren Bent and Jordan Henderson meant Bruce had plenty of scope, enabling him to complete moves for Manchester United duo Wes Brown and John O’Shea, Birmingham’s Sebastian Larsson and Craig Gardner, as well as Blackpool’s David Vaughan and Connor Wickham from Ipswich, one of the hottest prospects around.

Time is of the essence, though, when you’re a football manager these days, and time is what Bruce may well need in order for all the new faces to bed-in on Wearside. However, the squad as a whole does appear a lot stronger than the one which was knocking on the door of the European places in the first half of last season. There’s an abundance of experience at the back with Brown and O’Shea, Gardner and Vaughan will bring their combative qualities to the midfield while Stephane Sessegnon and Asamoah Gyan should be a real handful for defenders up front.

Is something special in the offing at the Stadium of Light?

SUNDERLAND TOP-SIX FINISH: 10/1 BET365

Swansea City

Manager: Brendan Rodgers
Stadium: Liberty Stadium
Star Man: Scott Sinclair
2010-2011 Position: Play-Off Winners in Championship

Summer Transfer Activity

Arrivals – Steven Caulker (Tottenham; Loan), Danny Graham, Jose Moreira

Departures – Jamie Grimes, Cedric van der Gun, Darren Pratley (Bolton), Dorus de Vries (Wolves)

Overview: The Swans made history when defeating Reading in the Championship play-off final at Wembley back in May, when winning 4-2, thus etching their names in the record books by becoming the first Welsh club to compete in the Premier League. But can they hold their own up against the big names of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United – as well as Manchester City, who they face in their very first Barclay’s Premier League fixture.

Just over 60% of clubs who have gained promotion via the play-off’s have gone straight back down. That is what Brendan Rodgers and Swansea are up against this season, overwhelming odds. But they’re going to give it a good go, and they’ve spent a fair bit in the summer in a bid to prolong their stay in the top-flight.

Brendan Rodgers’ very first signing since guiding Swansea to promotion was Watford’s top-scorer last season in the Championship, striker Danny Graham. He was later joined by Leroy Lite, the former Reading striker who does have crucial first-hand experience of the Premier League, as does winger Wayne Routledge, who completed his move to the Liberty Stadium from Newcastle just days before the start of the season.

The star man, however, will be former Chelsea youngster Scott Sinclair, a player who will not merely cause full-backs all sorts of problems with his pace and skill but he’ll also chip in with a few goals, as he did last season when finished as the club’s top-scorer with 21 goals.

It’s a massive ask for a club like Swansea to remain in this division, but they do play some crisp football and could end up surprising a few.

SWANSEA TO BE RELEGATED: 4/6 SKYBET

Stoke City V Wigan Athletic

Date & Kick-Off: Sunday, 22 May 2011 – 16:00 (GMT)
Venue: Brittania Stadium

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Preview

The Potters had their moment in the spotlight, and they blew it. Now it’s the turn of Wigan Athletic to get their name up in lights. Well… sort of.

Sunday’s final game of the season at fortress Brittania – it is where its occupants have not lost a single league fixture in 2011 – sees last week’s losing FA Cup finalists Stoke entertain relegation threatened Wigan in a fixture which even were the visitors to prevail in, wouldn’t necessarily assure them of safety.

The Latics go into the game on the back of last week’s breathtaking 3-2 win over West Ham in Greater Manchester, which relegated Avram Grant’s Hammers on the spot, but still languishing in the relegation zone, although by virtue of a slightly inferior goal difference and very little else. What it all means is Wigan must get a result away at Stoke else run the risk of relegation back to the nPower Championship, even though earning all three-points may still be in vein.

Having said all that, Wigan could lose 1-0 on ‘Survival Sunday’ and still end up avoiding the drop should Blackpool (18th) and Birmingham (17th) be on the receiving end of drubbings away at Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur respectively, which is very much a possibility bearing in mind the form and stature of the four teams in question. 

So it promises to be a thrilling final day at the bottom of the table. However, we shouldn’t discount those who have an important say in matters, and Stoke will certainly play a prominent part on Sunday.

Just eight days after losing the biggest match in their history – losing 1-0 to Manchester City in the final of the 2010/2011 FA Cup – Stoke return home for the first time, to the Brittania Stadium that is, and will be greeted by their proud supporters who are waiting to congratulate the team for another highly successful campaign.

Making the final of the FA Cup for the very first time was a remarkable achievement for the club. Even more impressive is how for the third season running, Tony Pulis’s men aren’t even involved in matters at the foot of the table in the closing stages of the term, with a fourth consecutive spell in the top-flight of English Football already in the bag.

So irrespective of what happened at Wembley a week previous, when Stoke battled gamely and fought tooth-and-nail with Manchester City but ultimately came up a little short, it has been a season to savour for the supporters who will once again turn out in vast numbers on Sunday to say their goodbyes. Knowing Tony Pulis like I do, he won’t want to sign out on a sour note, not at home in front of their hardened supporters.

Tony Pulis does have a tough job on his hands, though, galvanising a demoralised dressing room which, to be frank, cannot wait to jet off on their holidays after a week they’d rather forget in the short-term. A 1-0 defeat in the FA Cup final was a bitter enough pill to swallow but to succumb to a 3-0 loss to the very same opponent just three days later will have knocked the stuffing right of them, and that takes some doing.

The Potters were never at the races on Tuesday, when Man City basically trampled all over them at Eastlands, and so it remains to be seen which Stoke side actually turn up, or who for that matter. Robert Huth and Matthew Etherington struggled to make last week’s final through injury but missed the trip to Manchester several days later. So there’s two doubtful players already, key ones at that. In-form duo Jermaine Pennant and Kenwyn Jones are also carrying knocks.

On the bright side, for all you anti-Wigan folk out there this weekend, Stoke are unbeaten at home in the league throughout the whole of 2011 thus far, winning six of eight at their Brittania Stadium, which is expected to be a sell-out on Sunday.

Wigan, though, have been in this very situation before, having to win on the final day to stay up, and doing just that away at Sheffield United back in 2007. Those Latics seem to have a knack of just doing enough as well, so I wouldn’t be at all surprised were they to come through Sunday’s drama unscathed… again!

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Form

Stoke – DWDWL (Stoke 3-0 Wolves, Blackpool 0-0 Stoke, Stoke 3-1 Arsenal, Man City 1-0 Stoke, Man City 3-0 Stoke)

Wigan – WLDDW (Blackpool 1-3 Wigan, Sunderland 4-2 Wigan, Wigan 1-1 Everton, Aston Villa 1-1 Wigan, Wigan 3-2 West Ham)

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Head-to-Head (Premiership)

Stoke wins: 1
Draws: 4
Wigan wins: 0

Last 5 Seasons

2010/2011: Wigan 2-2 Stoke
2009/2010: Wigan 1-1 Stoke
2009/2010: Stoke 2-2 Wigan
2008/2009: Stoke 2-0 Wigan
2008/2009: Wigan 0-0 Stoke

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Streaks & Trends

All but one of the five Premiership meetings have ended in a draw, including last season’s encounter at the Brittania Stadium (2-2).

Stoke were unbeaten in their last five matches in all competitions but have now suffered back-to-back defeats, both against Manchester City.

The Potters, though, remain unbeaten at their Brittania Stadium in the league for eight games (W6 D2 L0).

Only Chelsea and Sunderland have scored first half goals against Stoke at the Brittania Stadium in 2011 (eight games).

The Latics haven’t won back-to-back games in the Premier League since March 2009, over two years ago.

Wigan are now without defeat for three games, but have only won one of their previous nine away from home (W1 D4 L4).

Charles N’Zogbia has five goals in as many games, scoring Wigan‘s first goal in each of their last three league fixtures.

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Match Prediction: Wigan Athletic to WIN – 2.50 VictorChandler

Throughout their six-year tenure in the Barclay’s Premier League, Wigan have made a habit of surviving by the skin of their teeth, by grounding out important points in a sporadic fashion. We’ve seen plenty of that this season as well, with last week’s stunning comeback victory against West Ham proof of this, and in any other season they’d have survived. But after all their exertions at the DW last week, do the Latics have anything left in their locker to give on ‘Survival Sunday’ – when at the very end of another mentally draining and absorbing campaign, it looks likely to come down to survival of the fittest?

I’m a big fan of Wigan manager Roberto Martinez and his footballing philosophy, so I’ll be a Latics supporter this weekend. A trip to Stoke at any other time in the season would be daunting, but Wigan couldn’t of wished for a more ample time to tackle Tony Pulis’ robust Potters at the Brittania, immediately after back-to-back defeats, one of which was a gut-wrenching 1-0 loss in the final of the FA Cup, which clearly had an adverse effect on morale as just three days later Stoke were comfortably beaten 3-0 by Manchester City, again, at Eastlands.

Stoke’s demeanour in Manchester during the week was a tell-tale sign that Tony Pulis has a dejected group of players at his disposal, possibly even depleted. I have no doubt he’ll do his best to rally the troops so that the fans can catch a final glimpse of his team in all their glory, but I fear the players have gone mentally. In stark contrast, Wigan should be fired up for Sunday and if they begin proceedings where they left off against West Ham, which was storming back from 2-0 down to score three second-half goals at a time when their backs were well and truly up against the wall, then Wigan could overawe Stoke.

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Match Odds

Stoke City – 2.88 BetFred
Draw – 3.60 Bet365
Wigan Athletic – 2.50 VictorChandler

Manchester City V Stoke City

Date & Kick-Off: Saturday, 14 May 2011 – 15:00 (GMT)
Venue: Wembley, London
TV Coverage: ITV1 & ESPN

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Preview

It is easy to discount the fact that the 2010/2011 FA Cup has stretched over nine months, featuring more than 700 competitors. However, this year’s version of the oldest knockout competition in the history of the sport will finally reach a conclusion on Saturday, 14 May when the most expensively-assembled squad in the land take on this year’s surprise package as Manchester City and Stoke City do battle at Wembley in an intriguing final, because of the contrasting styles and personnel, that will be shown in front of a large scale audience across the globe.

We may even see a first time winner, with Stoke set to appear in their very first FA Cup final after several failed efforts in the semi-finals. They made no mistake this time around though, thumping Bolton Wanderers 5-0 at Wembley last month to book a final date with one of the two Manchester giants. Yaya Toure scored the only goal of the game as underdogs Manchester City prevailed over their hated rivals Manchester United, winning 1-0 and in turn put his team within touching distance of securing their fifth FA Cup; their first since 1969.

And it’s of no surprise that Manchester City, the team with the greater pedigree and the big names, are the favourites to win Saturday’s show-piece. Several hundred million has been spent by their multi-billionaire owner, Sheikh Mansour, for this very purpose, to win major honours, and so it would almost be criminal were they not to be crowned 2010/2011 FA Cup winners. Stoke, though, won’t care less regarding any inferiority complex and will, as they have done for the most part throughout their highly successful three-year tenure in the Barclay’s Premier League, look to defy all the odds en route to claiming another significant scalp – though there will be none bigger than Man City in the final of the FA Cup.

Indeed, recent history is also on the underdogs’ side. Since 2008, these two very teams have clashed on no less than seven separate occasions, with Stoke losing just twice (W2 D3 L2) and even dumped Roberto Mancini’s City side out of last season’s FA Cup with a 3-1 victory at The Brittania Stadium. However, there is little doubt as to which of the two are on the right path to stardom.

It has been well documented that Manchester City have spent large sums on building a team capable of competing at the highest levels and winning trophies, and at long last, under the tactical nous of an Italian by the name of Roberto Mancini, whom had a tidy CV when it came to winning silverware at his former club Inter Milan, the club are beginning to see some of the fruits of their labour. Not only are they within 90 minutes of bringing the first piece of silverware to a club which has been starved of such a thing for 35-years , the glamour of Champions League football awaits them next season. Exciting times at Eastlands, then.

So whereas Man City expect nothing less than to be entertaining such fixtures for many years to come, it is the exact opposite for their opponents. And punters can rest assured that there isn’t a club more rooted than Stoke City; they know full well that opportunities like this are rare and are unlikely to come their way again for a very long time, so you can expect nothing less than a typically committed performance from The Potters on Saturday in what for some, including their highly rated manager but even more so their supporters, is the biggest match of their life’s.

On paper, I would say they are fairly evenly matched. Of course, it goes without saying that Manchester City boast the greater array of players, with manager Roberto Mancini having an embarrassment of riches at his disposal. They’ll also be in jubilant mood following victory over Tottenham Hotspur, which secured Champions League football for next season, just four days previous. Stoke, though, are in terrific form – it’s now five games without defeat, stretching back to their 5-0 hammering of Bolton in the semi-final to last weekend’s 3-1 rout of Arsenal at fortress Brittania – while their supporters, and I genuinely believe this, are some of the most passionate in the country and will shed just as much blood, sweat and tears in the Wembley stands as their team will on the pitch.

A lot does however depend on who does and does not make the team-sheet. Roberto Mancini is sweating over the fitness of star striker Carlos Tevez, who has scored 22 goals in all competitions this season but could only manage the last ten minutes of Tuesday’s league fixture with Spurs. Tony Pulis, meanwhile, has major concerns over two key players, with defender Robert Huth – a prominent threat from the air and a defender who has chipped in with nine goals this season – and winger Matthew Etherington both facing a race against time to be fit for Saturday’s colossal encounter.

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Form

Manchester City – WWWLW (Man City 1-0 Man City, Blackburn 0-1 Man City, Man City 2-1 West Ham, Everton 2-1 Man City, Man City 1-0 Tottenham)

The Citizens will be in high spirits following Tuesday’s hard-fought victory over Tottenham, with their 1-0 triumph at Eastlands good enough to secure Champions League football next season. However, their form in general has been very inconsistent, and they have lacked similar continuity in this season’s FA Cup as well. In the earlier rounds they struggled to overcome lower league opposition in the form of Leicester City and Notts County, while they also encountered problems in the Sixth Round with Reading. On that form, City look mighty vulnerable against an in-form, confident Stoke.

Stoke City – WDWDW (Bolton 0-5 Stoke, Aston Villa 1-1 Stoke, Stoke 3-0 Wolves, Blackpool 0-0 Stoke, Stoke 3-1 Arsenal)

The Potters will head into Saturday’s FA Cup final, arguably the biggest game in the club’s history, with plenty of momentum following last week’s 3-1 hammering of Arsenal at The Brittania. Stoke have now gone five games without defeat, and that does include their 5-0 demolition of Bolton in the semi-final.

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2010/2011 FA Cup Results

Manchester City

Third Round: Leicester 2-2 Man City
Third Round (Replay): Man City 4-2 Leicester
Fourth Round: Notts County 1-1 Man City
Fourth Round Man City 5-0 Notts County
Fifth Round: Man City 3-0 Aston Villa
Sixth Round: Man City 1-0 Reading
Semi-Final: Man City 1-0 Man Utd

Stoke City

Third Round: Stoke 1-1 Cardiff
Third Round (Replay): Cardiff 0-2 Stoke
Fourth Round: Wolves 0-1 Stoke
Fifth Round: Stoke 3-0 Brighton
Sixth Round: Stoke 2-1 West Ham
semi-Final: Bolton 0-5 Stoke

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Head-to-Head (All Competitions)

Man City wins: 40
Draws: 21
Stoke wins: 35

Last 5 Seasons (Premiership)

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

FA Cup Meetings

2010/2011: Stoke 3-1 Man City (Replay)
2010/2011: Man City 1-1 Stoke

1975/1976: Stoke 1-0 Man City

1972/1973: Man City 3-2 Stoke

1933/1934: Man City 1-0 Stoke

1927/1928: Man City 0-1 Stoke

1910/1911: Stoke 1-2 Man City

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Value Bets

Manchester City to WIN to NIL @ 3.00 PaddyPower

Roberto Mancini’s men have won their last four FA Cup ties without conceding.

Carlos Tevez Last Goalscorer @ 6.00 WilliamHill

He has scored more goals than any other Manchester City player this season, however the Argentine striker has spent the last month on the sidelines with a hamstring injury but has conveniently recovered in time to be in contention for Saturday. However, despite his courageous efforts to regain his fitness, I believe Tevez may have to settle for an appearance from the bench, though that will only make him an even bigger threat, up against some tired Stoke legs in the second half.

Robert Huth to Score @ 11.50 Unibet

The German defender is trying every method possible to be fit in time for Saturday’s showdown and my inkling is that he may just make the cut. If he does, Huth, who has scored nine times this season, will be Stoke’s main threat from set-pieces and looks tremendous value to get on the scoresheet.

Kenwyn Jones to Hit the Woodwork (Post or Crossbar without scoring) @ 11.00 888Sport

No players has hit the post or crossbar more times in the Premier League this season than Stoke’s powerful forward, whom has also netted three times in his last four starts.

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Special Bets

To Lift the Trophy

Manchester City – 1.40 Boylesports
Stoke City – 3.00 Bet365

To Win in Extra-Time

Manchester City – 11.00 Bet365
Stoke City – 26.00 Bet365

To Win on Penalties

Manchester City – 13.00 Boylesports
Stoke City – 13.00 Boylesports

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Match Prediction: Stoke City to WIN – 4.60 Totesport

Although a couple of Stoke’s influential figures are touch-and-go for Saturday, my message is clear: Write off this particular underdog at your peril, as Stoke have the ammunition to turn over the odds-on favourites; a loyal and passionate following of supporters, an intimidating group of players in stature, as well as a shrewd manager, but also a taste for defying adversity, something they did to devastating affect just last Sunday, when comprehensively beating Arsenal 3-1, and have done throughout their stay in the most demanding of domestic leagues, the Barclay’s Premier League.

Manchester City are rightly favourites. That said, I definitely feel firms have gone mad with their price on a Stoke upset, and I’m certain I won’t be the only one who reckons Tony Pulis’ side are exceptional value this weekend.

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Match Odds

Manchester City – 1.91 VictorChandler
Draw – 3.60 Bet365
Stoke City – 4.60 Totesport

Stoke City V Arsenal

Date & Kick-Off: Sunday, 8 May 2011 – 14:05 (GMT)
Venue: Brittania Stadium
TV Coverage: Sky Sports HD1

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Preview

I’m sure all of you are familiar with the old adage that opposites attract, and all that mumbo-jumbo. Well, in football you’ll struggle to find two more contrasting styles than the two teams in question, and I can assure you that these two cannot stand each other.

It all began back in November 2008, when Arsene Wenger was left shell-shocked at the robust nature of the Potters following a 2-1 reverse at the Brittania Stadium. Then, almost a year later, Arsenal exacted their revenge in the form of a 3-1 success, however, Wenger was left furious after a Ryan Shawcross tackle floored Aaron Ramsey, leaving the talented young Welshman with a double leg-break and sidelined for a considerable period. Hopefully, the third Brittania clash between the two will pass by without a bad word said, although I’m not holding my breath.

Fortunately for Ramsey, the Arsenal youngster did recover from that horrific injury. And although the thought of revenge won’t even enter his mind on Sunday, I’m sure he’s eager nonetheless to exorcise a few demons when he pays Stoke’s Brittania Stadium, as well as defender Ryan Shawcross, a first visit since that unsavoury evening – and I’m sure he’ll receive a warm reception from both sets of supporters.

So expect nothing less than the pre-match headlines to centre around Arsenal’s Welsh wizard, though the focus may not entirely be on his injury.

Arsenal’s clash with league leaders Manchester United topped the billing last weekend, and it was fittingly Ramsey, making his first Premiership start for fifteen months, who popped up with the only goal of the game to hand Arsenal their first win for three games, quashing a dismal seven-match run with the Red Devils in the process of six defeats and one draw, but also blowing this title race wide-open – not that Arsenal are considered a contender any more, despite their heroics at the Emirates.

Six-points is the deficit Arsenal need to bridge within their remaining three matches of the season if they’re to be crowned champions, and looking at their fixtures in comparison to leaders United, and Chelsea for that matter, I think we can safely rule out the Gunners from producing what would be regarded as one of the greatest ever comebacks in English league history, let alone Premiership folklore. That said, Wenger insists that his team won’t throw in the towel until it is mathematically impossible, and for once his team did respond to the Frenchman’s battle-cry last Sunday.

Stoke, meanwhile, who haven’t had a look-in so far in this preview, don’t really have anything meaningful to play for with regards to the league, rendering their final three games meaningless. In fact, their focus is solely on next week’s FA Cup final with Manchester City. So we may even see Tony Pulis name a weakened side for the visit of Arsenal. In doing so, though, the Potters boss runs the risk of halting his side’s momentum.

Stoke are currently unbeaten in four, an encouraging run of form which does include their 5-0 rout of Bolton in the semi-final of the FA Cup, not to mention running riot against Wolves in their most recent home assignment, when goals from Jones, Shawcross and Pennant sealed an impressive 3-0 win; their ninth of the season at home in the Premiership.

No-one would begrudge Tony Pulis making changes, though he does have a couple forced upon him. Danny Higginbotham, Matthew Etherington and Ricardo Fuller are out injured while defender Andy Wilkinson is also nursing a knock and may not be risked.

As for Arsenal, Arsene Wenger could once again be without captain Cesc Fabregas, who hasn’t been playing to the high standard we’ve come to expect from the Spaniard. The midfielder is being linked with a move away from the Emirates in the summer, which is perhaps why his performances in the New Year haven’t been up to scratch. Samir Nasri is also a worry for Wenger, while Abou Diaby is definitely out.

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Form & Last Result

Stoke City – LWDWD (Tottenham 3-2 Stoke, Bolton 0-5 Stoke, Aston Villa 1-1 Stoke, Stoke 3-0 Wolves, Blackpool 0-0 Stoke)

Although Kenwyn Jones spurned a glorious opportunity to seal a priceless away win for the Potters, Stoke manager Tony Pulis will nevertheless be delighted that his team have now gone four-games unbeaten in all competitions – especially as the FA Cup final looms large. The final score at Bloomfield Road was 0-0, Stoke bossing much of the game but were unable to convert their superiority into goals.

Arsenal – WDDLW (Blackpool 1-3 Arsenal, Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool, Tottenham 3-3 Arsenal, Bolton 2-1 Arsenal, Arsenal 1-0 Man Utd)

It was a case of too little too late for the Gunners last Sunday as they dispatched of league leaders Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium. Youngster Aaron Ramsey, who was filling in for the injured Cesc Fabregas, with the only goal of the game as Arsenal finally beat their arch rivals at the eighth time of asking, grounding out a hard-fought but thoroughly deserved 1-0 win.

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Head-to-Head (Premiership)

Stoke wins: 1
Draws: 0
Arsenal wins: 4

Last 5 Seasons

2010/2011: Arsenal 1-0 Stoke
2009/2010: Stoke 1-3 Arsenal
2009/2010: Arsenal 2-0 Stoke
2008/2009: Arsenal 4-1 Stoke
2008/2009: Stoke 2-1 Arsenal

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Match Prediction: Arsenal to WIN – 1.73 WilliamHill

The Brittania Stadium is one of the most formidable venues, outside of the top-six, in the Premier League and is extremely difficult to take points from at any time of the season. However, considering the circumstances – Stoke preparing for next week’s FA Cup final with Manchester City and Arsenal still clinging onto the faintest of hopes that they could be crowned Premier League champions – I reckon we’ll not only see two contrasting teams – a possibly weakened Stoke against the strongest possible eleven of Arsenal – but mindsets as well, as it’s almost impossible for the Stoke dressing room not to begin fantasising about their dreamy date with Wembley in a week’s time.

The Gunners, meanwhile, were at their steely best at home to United last Sunday and that hard-fought triumph should have had a galvanising affect on the dressing room, which in turn should lead to a strong finish to an otherwise disappointing season.

Also, Robin Van Persie has been unstoppable away from home, scoring in each of his last seven away appearances in the Premier League.

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Value Bets

Stoke to WIN to NIL @ 9.00 Bet365

Six of the Potters’ nine league victories at home this season were without conceding a goal.

Stoke +0.5 AH @ 2.25 VictorChandler

Not since 28 December have Stoke been beaten in a home league fixture, winning five and drawing two.

Robin Van Persie to Score @ 2.10 888Sport (888sport free bet)

Arsenal’s Dutch striker has scored in each of their previous seven away matches in the league, nine goals in total.

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Match Odds

Stoke City – 5.50 PaddyPower
Draw – 4.00 VictorChandler
Arsenal – 1.73 WilliamHill

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

We are down to the final eight and although there have been some big name casualties along the way, we’re not on course to see a shock winner. However, there is the genuine possibility of seeing another surprise finalist, with several who are still standing unlikely to have been a popular betting selection in the early stages of the tournament. A lot does depend on the draw, which, to be fair, has been kind to the dark horses so far, as in the Quarter-Finals Arsenal and Manchester United were drawn together in a cracker of a contest which will whet the appetite of every neutral.

In fairness, whenever Arsenal and United come to loggerheads, there is a media frenzy. It’s an opportunity for Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson to renew their long-standing rivalry, but it could also prove a telling encounter between two of the more likelier teams for the league title – and the victor could land a decisive mental blow.

One man who will definitely cast an eye over Saturday’s tea-time fixture is City chief Roberto Mancini. The Italian will lead his team into battle against Championship side Reading the following day, The Royals having stunned Everton in the previous round when beating the Toffees 1-0 at Goodison Park. This, of course, being the same Reading side which dumped Liverpool out of last season’s competition in the Third Round with a 2-1 victory at Anfield. Will Brian McDermott’s men add Man City and Eastlands to their growing lists of scalps?

Then we have two all-Premiership ties, with Birmingham, the recently crowned Carling Cup champions after beating Arsenal 2-1 at Wembley, entertaining high-flying Bolton Wanderers at fortress St Andrews in the very first clash of the weekend. The Blues have never lifted the FA Cup in their history despite making two finals, whereas Bolton have won the competition no less than four times, their most recent back in 1958.

Stoke City have never even made an FA Cup final before, let alone lift the coveted trophy aloft, so Tony Pulis & Co have their sights set on making history and have been given the ample opportunity to do just that in the form of a quarter-final showdown with fellow top-flighters West Ham. However, the Hammers do have recent experience of an FA Cup final, not that they will want to reminisce  or anything, as they were agonisingly beaten by Liverpool on penalties back in 2006.

So there we have it, the line-up for the Quarter-Finals. The one thing we will say is that no tie is cut-and-dry, Manchester City included. The Citizens were only in action three days previous, making the arduous trip to Eastern Europe to tackle Dynamo Kiev of the Ukraine. Picking a few winners may prove a task-and-a-half,  though the lure of a Semi-Final appearance at Wembley may prove strong enough to ensure replays are kept to a minimum.

FA Cup; Quarter-Finals

Saturday, 12th March

12:45 (GMT) – Birmingham City V Bolton Wanderers
17:15 (GMT) – Manchester United V Arsenal

Sunday, 13th March

14:00 (GMT) – Stoke City V West Ham United
16:00 (GMT) – Manchester City V Reading

2010/2011 FA Cup betting:

Manchester United – 3.25 (9/4) PaddyPower
Manchester City – 3.50 (5/2) Boylesports
Arsenal – 4.50 (7/2) Bet365
Stoke City – 13.00 (12/1) SkyBet
Bolton Wanderers – 17.00 (16/1) Coral
Birmingham City – 17.00 (16/1) StanJames
West Ham United – 23.00 (22/1) StanJames
Reading – 67.00 (66/1) WilliamHill

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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

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