English Premier
2011-02-02 - Liverpool vs Stoke City
A Sports Betting Pick by Lamps
Football : England : Premier League
Wednesday 2nd February 2011 - Kickoff 7:45pm
Liverpool
Last 5 Liverpool games at home : W3-D1-L1 F8-A4
Kenny Dalglish's side are moving up the table and after last weeks round of matches the Reds moved up 4 places from 11th to 7th. Unfortunately with 32 points from 24 played they trail leaders United by 19 having played a game more and also trail 4th placed Chelsea by 8 points, again having played one more. All this side can do is win and this starts on Wednesday against Stoke City at Anfield.
What a week it's been for the Reds, no FA Cup match after the 3rd round defeat to United but the transfer deadline day was a very eventful day for this side. Firstly top scorer and cult hero Torres was sold for a British record £million pounds. The Spaniard's departure is a massive blow to Dalgleish given he's the top scorer and has started to regain his form again with 3 goals in his last 4 since the Scot's arrival.
However, all is not lost, the £50m has been spent on a new number 9 Andy Carroll from Newcastle and Luiz Suarez for £22.8m. So basically it was a 2 for 1 deal, Carroll and Suarez for Torres and given Torres is a bit injury prone of late it's not the worst deal although that's a massive price tag for two players with little or no Premiership experience. Unfortunately for the Pool, only Suarez will make his debut in this one as Carroll is sidelined with a thigh injury.
At Anfield the Reds are always a threat despite some freak results earlier in the year (most notably losing 2-0 to Blackpool). With just 2 league defeats all season Liverpool still holds the 3rd best record at home and have a very healthy average of scoring over 1.5 goals a game whilst conceding less than 1 which is a solid formula for success.
With Torres gone it's time to move on and rely on this "new" Liverppol, many see this is a new start for the Reds under Dalgleish and I think the side will be highly motivated for this match. The fans didn’t have a game to go to this weekend so a game under the lights at Anfield with a new striker on show, I anticipate an electric atmosphere and quite a hostile one for Stoke to enter.
Team news is that only Carroll is out with Jovanovic, Lucas, Spearing and Carragher doubts. Carragher's return is huge but I think he’s going to need more time and Sunday’s showdown with Chelsea looks more likely a return. Lucas looks fit enough and will start in midfield with Suarez starting up front for his Liverpool debut.
Predicted Liverpool Lineup:
Reina, Kelly, Agger, Skrtel, Johnson, Meireles, Lucas, Kuyt, Gerrard, Maxi, Suarez.
Stoke City
Last 5 games Stoke away : W2-D1-L2 F8-A6
With two top 10 finishes in their 1st two seasons in the top division of English football, Stoke City are becoming a very reliable and solid member of this division. Tony Pulis is doing a great job and right now his side sit in 10th place and a solid 8 points clear of the drop zone.
I've only mentioned the deficit to the bottom 3 simply because the league is so tight, the reality is I don't see Stoke any where near the bottom 3 come May and more realistically in the top 10 for a third successive season.
Up next for Stoke is an awful fixture in Liverpool, I saw that because despite losing Torres the side is on the up and really optimistic about their new strike force of Suarez and Carroll. Yes, Carroll is out of this game but under Kenny this is a much better side and at Anfield under floodlights it’s really not set up well for Stoke at all.
The Potters away record is reliable and in line with the home record, Stoke has the 10th best home record, the 10th best away record and guess what place Pulis's side sit? Yep 10th! So basically right slap bang in the middle, one day they might get a win (3 away wins from 11) but then it could also go pear shaped (7 away losses from 11). Recently on the road they looked quite poor going down to Striker-less Fulham 2-0 and then lost at United 2-1, but City did win at Blackburn and drew to Wigan.
I can't ignore that Stoke is the 5th best away side in the last 5 form table right now but even then its still 2 losses from 5 and the side conceded more than a goal a game in that run. Liverpool will score and probably Stoke too given the Potters 8 goals in the last 5 away from home and if they can score at United they can score at Anfield.
Team news is that Shawcross is banned with Tuncay sold to Wolfsburg and Gudjohnsen loaned out to Fulham. That just leaves Higginbotham and Wilkinson as doubts with both expected to shake off their hamstring and back injuries in time to start in the back four.
The loss of Shawcross is massive especially given the new arrival of Suarez to handle, Huth and Wilkinson must play well if Stoke want to take something from this one. Jones will have new partner Carew to play with and both must hold the ball up in this one to give the midfield a chance to link up play, expect lots of aerial balls from Stoke in this one.
Predicted Stoke Lineup :
Begovic, Collins, Wilkinson, Huth, Higginbotham, Whitehead, Delap, Pennant, Etherington, Carew, Jones.
The Betting Verdict
I fancy Liverpool in this but a much safer option to me is both to score. Stoke are one of the form sides on their travels right now whilst Liverpool will be going all out for a win.
All in all it looks like a good match up that should produce at least 1 goal apiece.
Good Luck.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Liverpool 2-1 Stoke City
