English Premier
2013-01-12 - Stoke City vs Chelsea
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Saturday 12 January 2013 - Kick Off 3pm
Stoke City
Already compounding most of the experts by avoiding a relegation scrap, Tony Pulis is hoping his side might be able to push on in the next few months and lead Stoke City to their highest finish in English football in years. Stoke have enjoyed ruffling the weathers of most of the top sides in England, especially when they entertain them at the Brittania Stadium.
The side are 10th in the Premier League and they have picked up 29 points so far this season which actually leaves Stoke closer to the Champions League places than the relegation zone in terms of points. They have been very tough to play at home all season, going 5-5-0 there while scoring 14 goals and conceding 7. Stoke still have the best home defence in the League so far this season.
Stoke have the best home defence despite conceding 3 in a draw with Southampton most recently at home. They have lost just 1 of their last 12 games in all competitions, while Stoke are unbeaten in 18 games in all competitions at the Brittania Stadium. That run includes games against Manchester City (twice), Arsenal (twice), Everton and Liverpool.
Marc Wilson and Rory Delap are the only absentees in this squad.
Chelsea
It has been a tough couple of weeks for Rafa Benitez as any corner turned by the Chelsea fans in their response to him has quickly changed. The 0-2 home loss to Swansea in the Capital One Cup has stunned the club and the last thing you would want is to visit a team like Stoke City when confidence may be a little low.
Chelsea are 4th in the Premier League table and have earned 38 points which leaves them 14 behind Manchester United, although they do have an extra game to play than most of their rivals. They do have a very good away record in the League, going 6-2-2 so far while scoring 17 goals and conceding 11. Only leaders United have earned more away points than Chelsea so far this season.
The loss to Swansea means Chelsea have lost 2 of their 3 games in 2013, although both of those have come at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea have actually won 5 straight away games in all competitions since a 3-1 loss at West Ham United, including a 1-5 win at Southampton in the FA Cup last weekend.
Petr Cech and John Terry are expected to remain on the sidelines. Jon Mikel Obi should be able to play, while Demba Ba will be hoping to make his Premier League debut for the Blues.
Head to Head
Chelsea scored a very late goal through Ashley Cole to beat Stoke City 1-0 at Stamford Bridge earlier this season.
The sides drew this fixture 0-0 last season meaning the last 2 games at the Brittania Stadium have ended in draws, while the game prior saw Chelsea escape with the three points thanks to a last minute winner.
Prediction
I was very tempted to back Stoke City to avoid defeat in this one at evens, but Chelsea have shown some solid away form to think that they can cause Stoke some problems in this one.
I still want to back against this Chelsea team that haven't got on the same page for a few months and I think it will be worth backing this fixture to end in a draw for the third consecutive season.
Stoke are the draw specialists in the Premier League and while they trouble the best sides in the League at home, they rarely record wins. I think they make it tough for the away side and will be just good enough to earn a point.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Stoke City 1-1 Chelsea
