STOKE v ARSENAL match + betting preview

STOKE CITY v ARSENAL

FA Cup Fourth Round

Saturday, January 24^th

Britannia Stadium. Kick off 13.30

By Joe Finegan

Stoke’s form has been incredibly in-and-out this season, portrayed by their mediocre 11^th placing in the Premier League. Their home form has been fairly solid and it will be vital to their survival in the Premier League to maintain that source of essential points. In their last game, they were quite fortunate to bag a late equaliser against Liverpool, but before that they almost threw away a three goal lead against Fulham but hung on for three points.

In the FA Cup Third Round, they went 1-0 down to York but rallied well to win 3-1. Before that game, they succumbed to a 1-0 defeat by Birmingham. Quite remarkably all those games were all at the Brittannia Stadium. Sunday’s game against Arsenal will be Stoke’s fifth home game in a row.

There is no doubting that Stoke’s solid home form is vital to their success, but in a cup game anything can happen, and with a buoyant Arsenal squad visiting Sunday lunchtime, Stoke’s home resilience will be put to the test.

Arsenal are now unbeaten in their last nine games, stretching right back to their 1-0 defeat away to Olympiakos at the beginning of December. In those nine games, the Gunners have bagged 24 goals, a ratio of 2.6 goals per game.

It may sound strange, but this FA Cup game may not be taking preference in the mind of Arsene Wenger. The Gunners have five enormous, season-shaping games coming up after Sunday’s match. Next Wednesday, they are away to Aston Villa, followed by a home game against Manchester United, followed by a trip to Chelsea before entertaining Liverpool. Then, they’ve got to go to Porto in the Second Round of the Champions League. Is it possible that Wenger may rest a few key players for this FA Cup game with Stoke? He has stated that he may “shuffle his squad” for this game, but no matter who brings in, the starting XI should be strong enough and skilful enough to cope with a moderate Stoke team.

TEAM NEWS

With Wenger hinting that he may use some fringe players for this game, Sol Campbell could be in line to play for Arsenal for the first time since the 2006 Champions League Final.

At the moment, Arsenal have the longest injury list in the Premier League. Apart from long term casualties Djourou, Van Persie, Gibbs and Bendtner, Wenger also has to contend with injuries to Sagna and Diaby for the next couple of weeks. Others keeping the physio busy are Merida, Ramsey and Wilshere but Walcott’s appearance as a substitute last Wednesday was a welcome sight for Gooners. It is also reported that Nasri has a hamstring strain which will keep him out for a least two weeks.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis will be hoping that long-throw specialist Rory Delap will have recovered from his groin strain suffered against Liverpool last week. Definite outs for Stoke are James Beattie and Amdy Faye.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Interestingly, Stoke have a pretty good record against Arsenal when playing at home. Last season’s league clash was the first since 1985 when Stoke won 2-0 and finished bottom of a 22-team First Division. Since then there have been three meeting at Stoke: one home win, one draw, and one win for the Gunners. The most recent was last season when Stoke won 2-1.

VERDICT

Despite the threat of a squad shuffle, Arsenal still have the strength and quality to overturn a plucky Stoke team. Stoke will be aiming to utilise home advantage to the max but the away side should just be able to step it up a gear to avoid a replay.

RECOMMENDED

MATCH ODDS Arsenal to win 1.96 (BETFAIR)

CORRECT SCORE Arsenal to win 2-1 9.6 (BETFAIR)

OVER 2.5 GOALS 2.1 (BETFAIR)