Burnley To Take Advantage Of Stoke`s Injury Crisis?

Bottom club Burnley could move out of the relegation zone with a win away at ninth-placed Stoke City tomorrow (22nd November).

A victory at the weekend would be a second in as many games for the North West side who have had to wait eleven games to pick up their first three points of the season. A solitary Ashley Barnes goal five minutes after the break proved to be the difference at home to Hull City.

The clean sheet came after shipping three goals in three successive games with consecutive 3-1 defeats at the hands of West Ham United and Everton preceding a 3-0 loss away at Arsenal. George Boyd and Danny Ings grabbed goals against the Hammers and Toffees respectively.

Coral are offering 9/1 on Burnley recording back-to-back wins to nil whilst a clean sheet against Stoke is priced at 4/1 with both bet365 and Spreadex. Should you think Sean Dyche`s men will concede three times for the fifth time this season, its 5/1 (Skybet, william hill) on the home side hitting exactly three goals past Tom Heaton.

It would be the first trio of goals for Stoke in the league this season, having only managed to slot three past League 2`s Portsmouth in the second round of the League Cup. Mark Hughes` men`s most recent league form is patchy, having recorded two wins, two defeats and a draw in their last five top-tier games.

Charlie Adams` goal was a mere consolation as the West Midlanders conceded three against Sunderland away at the Stadium of Light, though he scored a penalty to equalise in his team`s 2-1 win over Swansea.

The Potters had to come from behind after Wilfried Bony converted a penalty kick of his own in the 34th minute with Jonathan Walters following Adam`s lead in hitting the second and secure all three points for Stoke.

Southampton`s solid defence put pay to any chance of back-to-back victories as the Hampshire side ran out 1-0 winners and there was further disappointment as City let slip of a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with West Ham United a week later. Both Victor Moses and Mame Biram Diouf found their names on the scoresheet.

Many fans thought it might be a case of groundhog day as Nacer Chadli grabbed a goal for Tottenham late in the second half to reduce Stoke`s lead to 2-1 in their clash at White Hart Lane last time out. The visitors made sure they learnt from their mistakes against the Hammers to take all three points against the faltering Europa League hopefuls. Bojan Krkic and Jonathan Walters were the Potters` first half scorers.

With an improving record at the Britannia, Stoke are the 8/11 (william hill) favourites to win on Saturday. It`s 5/1 with the same bookmaker to back Dyche`s side for successive victories whilst a tie is being offered at 29/10 at boylesports.

There`s a crisis at the back for Hughes` men though, who last kept a clean sheet in September. Injuries to Phil Bardsley (groin), Eric Pieters (Achilles) and Marc Wilson (hamstring) means that the mid-table side may have to organise a makeshift defence with Robert Huth (calf) and Dionathan Teixeira (foot) also unavailable.

Such news may mean that Betvictor`s 11/2 on Burnley scoring exactly two goals may be generous.

Midfield maestro Glenn Whelan has returned to training after fracturing his leg whilst on international duty, whilst Asmir Begovic played for Bosnia and Herzegovina during the international break.

The Clarets are without Nathaniel Chabolah who picked up his second injury of the season whilst playing with England Under 21s. The former Watford man was substituted after being seen clutching his leg.

Matthew Taylor (Achilles) and Sam Vokes (knee) are long-term absentees.

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21/11/2014     © Frixo 2024