Stoke – Southampton

Stoke City and Southampton will square off in what looks to be an evenly matched clash, counting for the 16th round of the Premier League.

Stoke is coming after a 3-1 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates, a deserving loss despite the fact that Stoke led 1-0 at one point. That was just the second defeat in 10 matches for the hosts who are in very good form lately, particularly at home – where they won 3 out of the last 4.

Southampton sits one spot above Stoke in the standings, on the 11th place and is on the back of a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough in a clash between the most defensive sides in the league. The Saints are in pretty solid form despite a 0-3 loss to Crystal Palace two rounds ago – however, that is mostly because of their home form. Southampton is struggling on the road this season, winning just one of their 7 away matches in the Premier League.

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Team news & lineups:

Both teams struggle with injuries, but mostly old news. Ireland, Afellay, Cameron, Bardsley and Butland are unavailable for Stoke, but there are also questionmarks over the fitness of Johnson, Muniesa, Shawcross and Walters. Southampton will not have Targett, Pied, Hesketh, Gardos, McCarthy and Austin in the lineup.

Stoke City: Grant – Johnson, Indi, Muniesa, Pieters – Imbula, Adam – Shaqiri, Allen, Arnautovic – Bony

Southampton: Forster – Soares, Van Dijk, Fonte, Bertrand – Clasie, Romeu, Davis – Redmond, Boufal – Rodriguez

Stoke lost just twice in the last 10 matches, at the Emirates and against Bournemouth – an unlucky 0-1 home loss in which they missed a penalty. Stoke is playing some good football right now and they might actually be slight favorites against a team that badly struggles on the road, despite the fact that the bookies are rating Southampton with the first chance here.

I don`t see the visitors winning this game away from home. However, it will be a difficult match for Stoke as well, against a solid (and better overal) team that is excellent when it comes to defending. The hosts might lack the quality to create many chances here.

I believe Both teams will have a hard time breaking down the opposition back line and it`s hard to see any of them coming out on top. There truly is very little separating these two sides in this match and I`m sure a point would make sense for both parties involved.

No matter how you spin the match analysis, the draw seems to be the most likely outcome here. This will be the result I`m going for, but I will secure my bet in case Stoke wins, as I don`t think they should be underdogs at home.

My tip is a draw on the Stoke win no bet market. Stoke’s high odds allow us to not lose value with this bet, in comparison with the straight draw. I reckon the risk of losing this bet is much lower than odds 2.10 suggest. Prediction: Stoke City – Southampton 0-0.

Pick: Draw – Stoke win no bet
Odds: 2.10 @ Bwin
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 8.80
Event date: 14 December