Both Stoke and Bournemouth have really struggled so far this season, and will be desperate to improve their fortunes. Stoke sit just outside the relegation zone with eight points, but Bournemouth are in the relegation zone, with only four points this season. Both are certainly capable of better, and both will be looking to climb the table and move away from a potential relegation scrap later in the season. Both teams come into the game with an identical record in their last five games, so we should be in for an even game, between two teams who are desperate to pick up some points. It may only be October, but clubs have to start thinking about survival, and that will be on the mind of both managers going into this game.
English Premier League – St. James’ Park, Newcastle upon Tyne – Saturday 21st October 2017 – 15:00 UK Time
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Draw Best Odd of: 5/2 at Ladbrokes |
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Stoke City
Crystal PalaceStoke Form
While Stoke are only one place above the relegation zone, the Premier League is very compact at the moment and they are just one point away from being in 11th. There are many teams involved in the bottom half of the season and anyone who can go on a run of three or four games unbeaten will be able to move right up the table quickly.
After a disappointing 7-2 defeat last weekend against Manchester City, Stoke now have the joint worst goals conceded record in the division. Their stats are heavily influenced by the game from last weekend, although they are struggling to score a lot of goals, so they must find a way to defend better. Over the past few seasons we have seen Stoke consistently finish in the middle of the Premier League and their squad this season certainly looks capable of that. They are only a couple of good results away from really climbing the table and being where they should be, and that is what they need to focus on.
Bournemouth Form
It has been a very disappointing start for Bournemouth, they have just one win and one draw from their opening eight games. That is nowhere near good enough for a team that have spent and invested well over the past few seasons. They must find a way to improve and get out of the positon they are in, they are clearly good enough to survive in the league, and need to start showing that.
One area they must improve on if they are to succeed is their goal scoring. They have scored just four goals from eight games, something that is well below par and aside from bottom team Crystal Palace, they are the worst scorers in the league. They signed Jermain Defoe from Sunderland during the summer to help them score goals but so far that hasn’t happened. They have the quality to score in the Premier League, but need to find the right tactics to make that happen.
Team News
Obviously Stoke have to defend much better than last weekend when they conceded seven against Manchester City. They don’t face anywhere near the same quality here, and that will help but they also need to continue their progression at the other end of the field. They have many talented attacking players, and need to start using them better. For Bournemouth right now the task is very simple and that is to score more goals. Scoring just four is simply not good enough, if that doesn’t change then relegation is a real possibility for the club. They have creative players, and they also have Jermain Defoe, who needs to find his scoring boots quickly.
Top Betting Tips
Both teams are looking to do better over the next few games, and they both know they are certainly capable of better. Stoke are in the better position right now and just a couple of wins will make a huge difference to their league position, because the Premier League is so tight right now. Bournemouth are in a much worse position, and need to start converting their games into wins so they can climb the table. I expect to see a lot of clubs involved in the relegation fight this season, Bournemouth need to start picking up points otherwise they will be one of those involved.
I am going to back Stoke to win this game, in the hope that they can put their tough 7-2 defeat last weekend behind them. They are priced up at 23/20 with Ladbrokes and will be looking to take advantage of playing against a struggling Bournemouth team. This will be a close game, but I think Stoke have enough to sneak a winning goal.