English Premier
2010-11-13 - Stoke vs Liverpool
A Sports Betting Pick by Cruiser
Analysis:Stoke welcomes Liverpool to the Britannia Stadium and both sides will be looking to get the win after some improvement on their results lately.
The first 12 games of the season were dreadful for both sides. Stoke lost four straight games before they rallied to beat Birmingham 3-2 on Tuesday. Stoke have not been invincible at the Britannia stadium this season. That was evident when Chelsea scored two goals in two minutes to level the score when it seemed they had things under control.
Dean Whitehead's late goal to win it however demonstrated the spirit of Tony Pulis' side, but Liverpool will be a much more tougher test here. Stoke have been on the wrong side of the referee's decisions against his side in recent weeks, so he will be keeping his eye on the officials for any decisions that might go against his side.
Liverpool, meanwhile, have picked up their form since their derby defeat to Everton and are now unbeaten in their last four games and are now climbing up the table.
The Reds still has work to do as they drew with Wigan 1-1 last Wednesday despite being in control of the match. Star striker Fernando Torres looks to be getting back to his best, having scored three goals in his last two games.
Roy Hodgson will be confident his side can come away with all three points considering that Stoke seems vulnearable at times this season. Liverpool have not won at The Britannia at their last two season so this will be of a test to them if they are to climb up the standings.
It has been 25 years since Stoke last beat Liverpool. Nevertheless Stoke has the ability to surprise while Liverpool the constant ability to disappoint its fans.
As for the team news, Stoke skipper Ryan Shawcross is likely to make his return to the heart of defence after serving a one-match ban following his sending off against Sunderland.
Other than that, Pulis may stick with the same side that beat Birmingham, with Danny Higginbotham the most likely to go to the bench as Shawcross returns to the side. Tuncay however could make a return to the starting line-up after Pulis admitted the recently recovered Ricardo Fuller may be rested.
Jermaine Pennant could face his former team after leaving Liverpool to join Zaragoza in 2009.
Liverpool could welcome back Sotirios Kyrgiakos and Glen Johnson to the squad and the defenders are set to be in the starting lineup. Joe Cole and Fabio Aurelio have also made a recovery form their knocks but will likely be for the bench.
Martin Kelly was used at right-back in their win over Chelsea and draw with Wigan, however he is likely to lose his place if Johnson return from his groin injury. Kyrgiakos, who has had tonsilitis, has been in good form for the Reds, but it is yet to be seen whether he recover in time and displlaces Jamie Carragher or Martin Skrtel.
Midfielder Raul Meireles came off at half-time with illness against Wigan and will be checked if he has fully recovered to see if he can start this match. Hodgson has no new injury worries and is likely to stick with the same midfield and forward line, with Ryan Babel and Daniel Agger still out with long term injuries.
Take Liverpool to get the win here.
Cheers and good luck,
Cruiser
The Pick :
Stoke 1-2 Liverpool
