Stoke City vs Portsmouth – Betting Preview

Game: Stoke City vs Portsmouth
Competition: English Premier League
Venue: Britannia Stadium
Time: 16:00 GMT

Stoke City, with the loudest fans in the Premier League, take on bottom club Portsmouth in last of Sunday’s games. Portsmouth are the only club in the League with single digit points and are four points from safety. They let in three goals from set pieces against Blackburn in their last game. Stoke, who are famous for their long throws and route one approach, will pose a similar threat, egged on by the fans at the Brittania Stadium.

Form Guide ( Last few games- all competitions- Stoke City)
v. Hull (Loss) 1-2 (Etherington)
v. Wolves (Draw) 2-2 (Elekobi OG, Etherington)
v. Tottenham (Win) 1-0 (Whelan)
v. West Ham (Win) 2-1 (Beattie * 2)

Stoke skipper Abdoullaye Faye is suspended after being sent off against Hull in the last game. German international Robert Huth will deputise for him. Also, Glen Whelan is a doubt after picking up a slight knock in Ireland’s WCQ against France. With Dave Kitson being loaned out at Middlesbrough, James Beattie will lead the line alongwith Sanli Tuncay.

Form guide – Portsmouth(most recently played game on top)
v. Blackburn (Loss) 1-3 (O’Hara)
v. Wigan (Win) 4-0 (Dindane*3, Piquionne)
v. Hull (Draw) 0-0
v. Tottenham (Loss) 1-2 (Kevin Prince Boateng)

Paul Hart’s team has a mighty impressive record against Stoke. Portsmouth are unbeaten in five league and cup matches against Stoke, winning all three home games and drawing twice, both at the Britannia Stadium. They even demolished Stoke 4-0 in the League Cup Pre-Quarter Finals two weeks ago.

Pompey have injury troubles aplenty. Dindane, Ward, Utaka, Finnan and Yebda are all struggling with minor injuries. Heremann Hreidarsson though is available after a hamstring injury. Linvoy Primus and Papa Bouba Diop remain long term absentees.

Match verdict: Given the record that Pompey have against the hosts, you’d be tempted to go for a away win for the bottom placed club, given that you’d be getting decent odds on them. But I suggest you exercise caution. I’d go for a scored draw.

Stoke 1-1 Portsmouth (Beattie / Piquionne)