English Premier
2009-10-24 - Tottenham Hotspur vs Stoke City
A Sports Betting Pick by Gooner
Football: England, Premier League
Saturday, 24th October 2009 - Kickoff 15:00
Tottenham (3rd) Home 3-0-1 10:5
Tottenham have made a very good start to the season under manager Harry Redknapp, and once again there is talk in the air of the possibility of Champions League football at White Hart Lane.
Certainly, I think that this is an ideal season for Spurs to achieve it, as Tottenham do not have any European distractions, and the overall quality of the squad is definately in the top 5-6 clubs.
Goals win games, its a very basic truism, and Spurs have scored 21 goals in their first nine games, only failing to get on the scoresheet in the 0-3 defeat at Chelsea, and that sort of strikerate has the potential to push Spurs into the top five.
Last weekend's 2-1 win over Portsmouth at Fratton Park was a solid result, and an emotional one for Redknapp and Jermaine Defoe. Unfortunately the situation got the best of Defoe who was send off - and he'll be suspended for this game. That's a blow as Defoe was top scorer with 6 league goals so far.
Friday Night Team News :
Tottenham's Jermain Defoe is banned, so Peter Crouch will start alongside Robbie Keane in attack.
Jonathan Woodgate played in a midweek friendly against Dagenham and Redbridge and could make his first-team comeback this weekend.
Stoke City (9th) Away 0-3-1 2:6
Stoke City have made a good fist of their return to the Premier League last season, and they've continued on in the same vein this season and come into this game in 9th place.
A lot of points have been won at home at the Brittania Stadium as Stoke find ways to win there, but points on the road have been harder to come by with a first up 0-4 loss at Liverpool being followed by three draws.
With just two goals scored in four away games, I don't see the visitors scoring more than once here, so it's going to be a question of whether the defence holds firm.
Friday Night Team News :
Stoke's Robert Huth starts a three-game ban, so Andy Wilkinson is ready to take his place in defence.
Glenn Whelan should return, but fellow midfielder Liam Lawrence is doubtful after missing training with a virus.
Head to Head
Last season these two clubs split the games, with Spurs winning 3-1 here at White Hart Lane and Stoke winning the reverse fixture 2-1.
The Betting Verdict
Obviously Tottenham are favoured to win this match at home, they've put together a good run of form, and Manchester United apart, have had too much for other visitors.
But, the absence of Defoe, and the demonstratable ability for Stoke City to frustrate opponents this season means that this one has the possibility to spring a potential surprise draw.
Still, I favour the home side, and the odds are good enough to be considered "fair value" based on my estimates.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Tottenham 2-1 Stoke City
