Why Stoke can gain a share of the spoils at home to Man City
The champions haven't won at the Britannia in their last four trips and the Potters have every chance of continuing that record.
Still in search of their first victory of the season following three successive draws, Stoke City welcome Premier League champions Manchester City to the Britannia Stadium this weekend.
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And as he prepares his players for the toughest of tests in the Saturday evening kick-off, Potters boss Tony Pulis will be encouraged by his side’s recent home record against the champions.
Since their promotion back to the top flight, Stoke are undefeated against City on home soil in four matches, winning one and sharing the spoils in each of their last three meetings with Roberto Mancini’s men.
However, as will be the case for near enough every league fixture they play this season, City are priced as favourites heading into the game at odds of 7/10, which is understandable considering the players both sides have at their disposal.
| Champions League | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dortmund | 1-1 | Bayern Munich | £150.00 | (13/2) |
| Dortmund | 1-2 | Bayern Munich | £160.00 | (7/1) |
| Dortmund | 0-2 | Bayern Munich | £175.00 | (31/4) |
| Dortmund win | £84.00 | (16/5) | ||
| Draw | £82.00 | (31/10) | ||
| Bayern Munich win | £34.00 | (7/10) | ||
One of the main reasons Pulis has been able to establish Stoke as a Premier League club is in large part due to their home form, which saw them lose just four times in total last term, with the eventual top four sides all failing to secure victory at the Britannia.
Pulis’ men can be backed at 4/1 to cause an upset in the Potteries, while the draw can be had at 5/2 in the bwin 3way football betting market – and it is the latter price which looks particularly tempting in light of the previous meetings between the sides.
One of the main reasons Pulis has been able to establish Stoke as a Premier League club is in large part due to their home form, which saw them lose just four times in total last term, with the eventual top four sides all failing to secure victory at the Britannia.
The last three times City have made the trip, they have returned home with a 1-1 draw, so the same scoreline this time round should certainly be considered at 11/2.
This fixture has also been far from a goalfest in recent years, with the last four clashes at the Britannia involving less than 2.5 goals, and that outcome can be backed to occur once again at 83/100.
After ending his three-year stint with Manchester United, Michael Owen could feature at some point this weekend for his new club after his move to the Potters was ratified by the Premier League last week despite some last-minute concerns about the deal.
The former European Player of the Year has an impressive goalscoring record against City, bagging seven goals in nine league games against the Citizens, and while unlikely to start, backing the forward to score at any time at 11/4 could prove fruitful.
On paper, there should really only be one winner, but taking into account their ability to mix it with the big boys at home, there’s every chance Stoke can stifle City once again and collect their fourth point of the season.
Recommended bet: Stoke and Man City to draw @ 5/2
Outside punt: Stoke and Man City to draw 1-1 @ 11/2
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