With the struggles that the Potters are having this season in the Premier League, this will be a really uncomfortable trip to the Ricoh Arena for them on the weekend when they go up against League Two outfit Coventry in the FA Cup. The Sky Blues are a very strong home side and they will boast a defence which may keep their Premier League opponents at arm’s length. Coventry are 7/2 to get the home win with Stoke at 4/5.
FA Cup – Saturday 6th January / 15:00
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Draw Best Odd of: 5/2 at Betway |
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Coventry Form:
The Sky Blues could be one of the underdogs on the weekend to get behind. They have been strong at the Ricoh Arena because of their defence this season and they are on a four-match winning streak on home soil, including a 3-0 easy win over Boreham Wood in the last round of the FA Cup. They do know how to defend and look as if they are getting back to their best again. Going forward they have scored in each of their last five home games and have tallied nine in their last four. They should be well in this contest and will sense the opportunity of getting a big scalp.
Stoke Form:
The Potters are all over the place and suffered a hammer blow of a home loss against Newcastle in the league on New Year’s Day. Away from home, they have had little to cheer about with a D2 L4 record produced in their last six road games. It has been poor from them. They have scored frequently on their travels but will they have the punch to take down what is a solid Coventry defence at the Ricoh, especially if they don’t go at this full strength? They should have enough to muster up a goal so both teams to score does make sense. This won’t be a comfortable afternoon for them.
Head to Head News:
The last meetings between these were in the 2007/08 Championship and there were away wins traded on that occasion. Coventry are winless in four at home against the Potters (D2 L2). They have met just once before in the FA Cup though and Coventry won that tie 1-0 back in 1987
Top Betting Tips:
There would be nothing wrong with backing the home side in a double chance in this one. They are good at home, have started to find their form again and the Potters may well struggle to break them down.