Stoke City

Stoke City continued their impressive 2nd season in the top flight of English football by reaching the 6th round of the FA Cup on Wednesday night. They have proven adept at picking up points at the Brittania Stadium as they were last season and look like they will be far too strong to get relegated this season.

Stoke are 11th in the Premier League and find themselves 11 points better off than Bolton in the final relegation spot. In fact, they are closer to a top 8 finish than a relegation scrap, finding themselves only 4 points behind Everton who currently occupy 8th. The Potters are 6-4-3 at home this season, scoring 19 goals and conceding 14 in those games. Birmingham were the latest side to win at Stoke, following Manchester United and Chelsea.

They are unbeaten in their last 11 games in all competitions since they lost to Birmingham at home. Stoke have won just over half of those games and are unbeaten in their last 7 at the Brittania in all competitions. Of those 7 games, Stoke have won 4 in 90 minutes and drawn the other 3.

Matthew Ethrington has a late fitness test to determine if he can make the squad. Abdoulaye Faye and Andy Wilkinson are back in the squad after suspension.

Arsenal

Arsenal remain on the edge of the title battle this season, and with their last 11 games seemingly posing an easier run in than their rivals, they must have a real chance to take this to the wire. They have struggled against the 2 teams that are above them in the table, losing all 4 games this season, but their wins over the rest , especially the bottom half, leaves them with a real chance to end 4 years without a trophy.

At the moment, the Gunners are 3rd in the Premier League, sitting 6 points behind Chelsea at the top of the table. They are 6-3-4 away from home where they have scored 25 goals and conceded 16. Only Chelsea and Manchester United have won more games away from home than Arsenal this season.

Arsenal faced a sticky patch of their season, losing 3 out of 4 games which knocked them out of the FA Cup and losing ground in the Premier League. They have won their last 2 Premier League games, their only successes in their last 7 matches in all competitions. Arsenal have failed to win any of their last 4 away games in all competitions, losing 3 of those matches.

Eduardo could make his comeback in the squad but Arshavin will be missing again. William Gallas is not back yet, so either Sol Campbell or Mikael Silvestre will deputise.

Head to Head

Stoke and Arsenal have met 4 times in the last season and a half, and both have 2 wins each. They have also both won their home games.

Stoke lost 2-0 at Arsenal earlier this season in the League but gained a measure of revenge by knocking the Londoners out of the FA Cup here at the Brittania Stadium.

Last season, Stoke won this game 2-1.

Prediction

Tony Pulis has done an excellent job at Stoke City and they should be very confident coming into this game after putting Manchester City to the sword on Wednesday night. Stoke are a tough side to beat in front of their own fans and we can expect Ricardo Fuller and Mamo Sidibe to give Arsenal a tough time at the back.

Arsenal still have a chance in the title race but have looked far from convincing in recent weeks. There are still a number of concerns at the back with the goalkeepers looking a little nervous and Gallas missing. Arsenal are likely going to need to score 2 times if they want to win this game.

I was very surprised with the prices being offered and was a little tempted to play Stoke to win this game. I cannot recommend backing Arsenal at odds on at a venue where they have lost twice in the last 18 months and so I will pick Stoke City on the handicap to come through.

The Pick :

Stoke City 2-1 Arsenal

HANDICAP BETTING :

Stoke City +0.75 Asian Handicap