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Stoke City and Newcastle United are both struggling a little bit right now, so whoever wins this match will take a big gulp of fresh air, at the same time escaping from the danger zone.
Stoke, usually a top notch team at Britannia Stadium, is the only side who failed to score a single goal at home this season, losing both matches 1-0. On the other hand Hughes` side has been surprisingly good on the road, being undefeated in 3 matches and coming after a 2-2 draw at QPR where they were equalized in the dying minutes. Last time out Stoke defeated Sunderland 2-1 in the League Cup, so the hosts are looking in decent shape right now. Huges was adamant that his side must improve the home record and he wants that to start with three points today.
Newcastle has allowed no less than 11 goals in the first 5 rounds and the Magpies have yet to win a Premier League match this season. The Magpies’ manager Alen Pardew seems to be under pressure right now even though his team did manage to get past Crystal Palace in the League Cup midweek in extra time. Last time out in the Premier League Newcastle was held to a 2-2 draw at home by Hull City. The Magpies will have a huge tast ahead today, being absolutely decimated by injuries.
Team news & lineups
Stoke will miss Odemwingie and Cameron, while Walters is doubtful. Newcastle has an absolute squad crisis, missing De Jong, Santon, Gutierrez, Taylor, Ferreyra, Good, Aarons, Abeid and Campbell, while Janmaat is doubtful but he will probably be forced to play in lack of other solutions.
Stoke: Begovic – Bardsley, Shawcross, Wilson, Pieters – Whelan, N’Zonzi – Diouf, Adam, Moses – Crouch.
Newcastle: Krul – Janmaat, Williamson, Coloccini, Dummett – Colback, Tioté, Cabella, Sissoko – Rivière, Cissé.
With the huge number of missing players and coming after an 120 minute match in the League Cup, I can`t see Newcastle playing a good match today, especially considering that their form is very poor. They have few solutions on the bench to replace players that will inevitably get tired in the second half. Stoke has been the slightly more consistent team this season and I expect them to finally get going today. With home court advantage and Newcastle`s squad problems, I believe Stoke will win this, they are just to good at Britannia Stadium to go 3 matches without a win and this is the perfect opportunity to gain 3 massive points. The odds are just great on the hosts. My tip is Stoke City to win. Prediction: Stoke City – Newcastle United 2-1.
Pick: Stoke City
Odds: 2.15 @ William Hill
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 9.2
Event date: 29 September
