Football Wham vs Stoke Preview

If the England fans in Sweden are to be proved correct in the fact that Zlatan Ibrahimovic is just a poor man’s Andy Carroll then this Monday night game should be a real cracker as I can only imagine the kind of goals that we will see.

Carroll to score with a tap in would be enough to please the Hammers fans as he has not found the net this season. Since his move to West Ham he has been playing well and created a lot for midfielders like Kevin Nolan however he might need to start netting a few himself as the London side are being linked with a move for Nicolas Anelka. Anelka worked with Allardyce at Bolton and is thought to be open to a move back to England in January after his spell in China comes to an end. Carroll is the 11/2 (188 Bet/Coral/william hill) favourite to grab the first goalscorer while Carlton Cole is 13/2 (general) and Kevin Nolan is 7/1(bet365/ladbrokes). Nolan has already hit five in the Premier League this season (four of these coming at Upton Park). Those looking for a Stoke player to score first can get Peter Crouch at 9/1 (paddy Power) or Jon Walters at 25/2 (BWin). Michael Owen has a great scoring record against West Ham netting 13 goals in 17 Premier League appearances and is 17/4 (BWin) to score at anytime. One player I really like the look of in this market is Charlie Adam who is a massive 20/1 (bet365) to score first or 7/1 (bet365) to score anytime. Adam is the furthest forward of the Stoke midfielders and also hits a great set-piece which in a tight game like this could be key.

The recent head to head record between these sides favours West Ham who have won four of their last five home games against Stoke in all competitions also the Hammers have lost just one of their six home games (winning three of these) in the league this season. If you think this will be another West Ham home victory you can back them at 21/20 (general). The Potters away record is not great either with them winning none of their last 15 Premier League away matches (drawing six of these). If you think Stoke can get something out of this game then you can get the draw at 22/9 (pinnacle) and the away win at 45/14 (pinnacle). I expect this to be a cagey encounter and would recommend a small play on the time of the first goal market. Coral go 23/20 that the first goal will come after the 28th minute which would have paid in three of the last four West Ham games and in each of the last three Stoke games.

Those looking to play the overs/unders markets will see that just one of the last eight Stoke games has featured more than two goals and five of the last seven featured no more than one goal. Bookmakers are wise to this though and have made the under 2.5 goals no bigger than 4/5 (Stan James).

This is not the only game Monday night as Serie A and La Liga both have games. In Serie A Roma take on Torino in a game that pits seventh against 13th. Roma are the 19/29 (Pinnacle) favourites though they have lost three of their last four and they look worth swerving at those odds. In Spain Real Sociedad take on Rayo Vallecano with Sociedad 5/6 (general) favourites. It might be worth a little play on the No in the both teams to score market at 23/18 (32 Red). This would have paid have paid out in six of the last seven Real Sociedad home games.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: First goal in West Ham v Stoke after 28th minute, 23/20 (Coral)
SILVER: Charlie Adam to score v West Ham, first 20/1 (bet365), anytime 7/1 (Bet365)
BRONZE: Both teams not to score in Real Sociedad v Rayo Vallecano, 23/18 (32 Red)

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19/11/2012     © Frixo 2024