Swansea Host Stoke At Liberty Stadium

Swansea`s game against Stoke is the only Premier League match-up this weekend that neither has a bearing on the immediate top of the table or the relegation battle at the bottom. The hosts currently sit in eighth position in the top tier of English football whilst Stoke are a mere place behind in ninth.

The result of this close proximity is that a victory for the Swans would damaged Stoke`s attempts to penetrate the top eight. Garry Monk`s men would also have a shot at closing in on seventh placed Southampton who are currently seven points ahead and battling it out for a Europa League spot. The Welsh club are three points clear of the Potters with the same minus three goal difference meaning that losing to Mark Hughes` men would see them usurped by them.

So whilst the visitors would supersede Swansea with a victory away from home, losing to the Liberty Stadium outfit could see them fall below Everton should the Toffees manage to get the better of Aston Villa away from home. Roberto Martinez`s men are currently three points off the Potters but have a superior goal difference.

The two sides have met just the once this season, this being in the reverse Premier League fixture at the Britannia Stadium. Despite Swansea taking the lead late in the first 45, it was the hosts who romped to victory, bagging two goals to their opponents initial deadlock breaker.

This opener came from the penalty spot after Ryan Shawcross was adjudged to have impeded Wilfried Bony. It was the Ivory Coast star, now a bench-warmer for Manchester City, who converted the spot kick to give the visitors the advantage.

A second penalty, this time for the Potters, restored the parity just minutes from half time. Charlie Adam converted the chance after Angel Rangel`s tackle on Victor Moses.

Jonathan Walters grabbed the only goal to not come from the penalty spot deep within the second half to secure all three points for the hosts.

Betvictor have 13/1 on Stoke recording their second 2-1 victory of the season over the Swans. Whilst bet365 have 11/2 on Charlie Adam adding to his tally of seasonal goals at any time, Walters is a 9/1 shout with a number of bookmakers to hit the last goal of the match once again. Skybet have 3/1 on one or more penalties being awarded at any point during the clash.

Despite failing to get the better of Stoke at the Britannia Stadium, it is Swansea who are the favourites to grab the win this time around. Both betfred and Betvictor have 11/8 on a home win whilst 5/2 (Numerous) is the price on a victory for the visitors. A draw can be backed at 12/5 at both bet365 and sportingbet.

Monk`s home side have performed well of late, winning three and losing one of their last five clashes. They scored three goals against both Hull (3-1) and Newcastle (3-2) in this period and are up for grabs at 11/2 (Coral) to score over 2.5 times tomorrow.

Being responsible for three of the seven goals that Swansea have scored in this five match period, Bafetimbi Gomis is the current favourite to hit the back of the net at any time. The Ivory Coast international can be picked up at 6/4 at Stan James despite his hamstring injury.

Stoke are unbeaten in their last three Premier League encounters but have not won any of their last three away from home. They failed to hit the back of the net any more than once in any of these games and are available at 5/2 (Coral) to score more than 1.5 goals tomorrow.

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01/05/2015     © Frixo 2024