ENGLISH PREMIER BETTING PICK - TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR V STOKE CITY

English Premier

2012-03-21 - Tottenham Hotspur vs Stoke City

A Sports Betting Pick by Cruiser

Match Preview :

Tottenham players comes into this match after the tragic circumstances in which they witnessed Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba collapsed in the 41st minute last Saturday after suffering a cardiac arrest and requiring treatment on the pitch from paramedics in full view of the players and fans of the FA Cup quarter final match which was abandoned after that.

The FA Cup quarter-final was abandoned and Muamba was taken to the London Chest Hospital, where his condition has improved over the past few days as he continues his recovery.

Bolton called off their midweek league match against Aston Villa and there were suggestions Tottenham's fixture would also be rescheduled, but it was confirmed on Monday the game would nevertheless go ahead.

However, Tottenham's players and staff were somewhat moved and traumatized by the whole experience with both counselling offered by the club as well as the opportunity for heart tests at the training ground in Chigwell.

Redknapp has also stressed that anyone 'not in the right frame of mind to play' will be allowed to sit out, as he targets a win against Stoke that could put Tottenham on the road to finishing in the top three back on track.

As it is now, their lead over Arsenal has been cut to just one point following a run of three straight league defeats, with Chelsea a further three points behind.

Redknapp has not been worried by recent performances and is confident his side can bounce back with a win here.

Indeed, the record books have shown that Spurs haven't lost four Premier League games in a row since November 2004 and haven't lost back to back home games since September 2008.

Meanwhile, Stoke comes into this match on the back of disappointment after they were knocked out of the FA Cup on Sunday following a 2-1 defeat at Liverpool,ending their hopes of reaching Wembley for a second straight year.

Now Stoke City now have just the Premier League to concentrate on after also being knocked out of the Europa League and will want to finish the season on a high.

They currently occupy 14th position but are a long way clear of the relegation zone and just three points behind eighth-placed Swansea in a congested mid-table, so a top-half finish is their ideal target now.

Tony Pulis' men, who beat Tottenham 2-1 at the Britannia Stadium in December, will be looking to complete a double over Harry Redknapp's men.

Team News :

Tottenham Team News :
Striker Emmanuel Adebayor is again a doubt (hamstring) and defender Ledley King(knee) will be checked upon prior to kickoff. Meanwhile, Winger Aaron Lennon remains out of the side with a hamstring problem while William Gallas is fit again following a calf injury.

The likes of defender Michael Dawson (ankle), goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes (knee), and midfielder Tom Huddlestone (ankle) are out of the team for tonight's clash.

Stoke Team News :
Goalkeeper Asmir Begovic is set to return to the Stoke team after making way for Thomas Sorensen in the FA Cup game at Anfield. Striker Ricardo Fuller misses out again through suspension following his marching orders against Chelsea, while Peter Crouch is set to feature against his former club.

Possible lineups

Tottenham : Friedel, Walker, Kaboul, King, Assou-Ekotto, Van der Vaart, Modric, Parker, Bale, Adebayor, Saha.

Stoke : Begovic, Wilkinson, Huth, Shawcross, Shotton, Whelan, Wilson, Whitehead, Etherington, Crouch, Walters.

Predictions :

Go for Tottenham to get the win here and give the 1 ball as they end their losing run of three straight matches here.

The Pick :

BEST BETTING TIP :

Take Tottenham to win here.