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Oh yes, Premier League football. The best league in the world has finally arrived and bettors must surely be ecstatic, so let`s get going with the tips. One of the highlights today for me is Stoke City against Aston Villa – not the most glamorous encounter but surely one with some very good betting options.
Stoke has established as a solid mid table Premier League side thanks mainly to their excellent home record where they are always posting impressive win-loss stats. Stoke is a force at Britannia stadium and this is where they will get most of their points this season as well. There are some important new faces in the team this season, most notably Krkic, Diouf, Sidwell and Beardsley, players who have the quality and / or experience to help Stoke improve. The preparation period was not spectacular regarding results, but Mark Hughes stated that he was happy with the level of football the team showed and that Stoke is ready to go in the new season.
Aston Villa managed to escape relegation last season but they will have an even tougher test this season, with most sides strengthening in the off season. Villa brought in some good players as well, like Cissokho, Joe Cole, Richardson or Senderos, but Benteke will again be the instrumental man in Villa’s hopes to avoid the drop – and he will not play today. A stat analysis will reveal that the visitors had problems playing on the road last season, losing more than 50% of their away games (4-5-10), including the last six in a row. As a comparision, Stoke won more than 50% of their home games (10-6-3), so the stats are pretty telling here.
Team news & lineups
Stoke has no injuries or suspensions aside for Wilkinson, who is doubtful. Villa will miss its best player Benteke and fellow striker Kozak, while Joe Cole is highly doubtful and Vlaar is not fully fit – he will probably start, but will undergo a late fitness analysis.
Stoke City: Begovic – Bardsley, Shawcross, Huth, Muniesa – Whelan, N’Zonzi – Odemwingie, Bojan, Arnautovic – Diouf.
Aston Villa: Guzan – Hutton, Vlaar, Senderos, Cissokho – N’Zogbia, Richardson – Delph, Agbonlahor, Westwood – Weimann.
Odds should be slightly lower on the Stoke to win bet, stats and current game analysis suggest that and I`m not surprised that they are dropping. Stoke City is a slightly better team than Aston Villa but the thing that will make the difference today is home court advantage. Stoke is so strong at Britannia Stadium where they are capable of defeating even the top Premier League sides, while Villa is well known to struggle on the road. Injuries will also hurt Aston Villa today, especially on the offensive end. Without Benteke and Kozak it will be very hard for them to score against a disciplined side like Stoke. All in all Stoke is a more balanced and organized team, they should complete the job at home and start the season with an important win. My tip is Stoke to win and I will back this bet with high stakes. Prediction: Stoke City – Aston Villa 2-0.
Pick: Stoke City
Odds: 1.95 @ Doxxbet
Stake: 9
Possible profit: 8.55
Event date: 16 August
