Stoke v Crystal Palace: Great price for home win

Stoke v Crystal Palace
Saturday, 15:00

Stoke

A four match unbeaten run in the Premier League came to an end for Stoke last week with a defeat away at West Brom.

A less optimistic way to sum up Stoke's recent results would be to say that they are now without a win in three games, but when you consider that their opponents - Manchester United, Everton and WBA - are among the most in-form teams in the top flight, that would be a little harsh.

Now they have the chance to get back to winning ways when they host struggling Crystal Palace, as Stoke look to finish in the top half of the table for the fourth successive season under Mark Hughes. Considering that many managers have already paid for a poor start with their jobs, it is a measure of Hughes' ability that he was able to turn things round, after his team won none of their opening seven games.

Hughes is without several senior players right now. Jack Butland, Geoff Cameron, Stephen Ireland, Glen Johnson, Xherdan Shaqiri and Jonathan Walters are all injured, though Ramadan Sobhi could return after a spell at the African Cup of Nations.

Crystal Palace

Sam Allardyce could be forgiven for thinking that his Crystal Palace side had turned a corner when they won their last away game against Bournemouth. It was his first victory in the Premier League since taking over at Selhurst Park, but it was soon followed by disappointment.

Crystal Palace's 4-0 thrashing by Sunderland last weekend, with all four goals having been scored in the first-half, was among the most shocking results of the season. Palace may have been in terrible form for a long time, but the same is true of Sunderland, who had scored only one goal in their previous five games.

It just goes to show how big a job Allardyce has taken on. Though Palace have more talent in their squad than the majority of the teams that are battling against relegation with, this is a side that have grown very used to losing and are defensively chaotic.

Like Stoke, Allardyce has a number of players currently injured. Jonathan Benteke, Yohan Cabaye, Scott Dann, Steve Mandanda, Bakary Sako, Jeffrey Schlupp, Pape Souare and Connor Wickham are all out, while new signing Luka Milivojevic is still waiting for visa clearance.

Ref Watch

Martin Atkinson will officiate. He has not sent off a player in the 14 games since he dismissed West Ham's Aaron Cresswell in their October encounter against Crystal Palace.

Match Odds

Stoke are the 2.10 favourites, with the draw at 3.45 and Crystal Palace out at 4.10.

That looks like a very generous price for the home win. Palace have lost five of their last six games, so anything over evens is generous for a Stoke side in decent form.

Over/Under 2.5 Goals

Under 2.5 goals is the favourite at 1.80, with overs out at 2.16.

Stoke's last three games have produced under 2.5 goals, but as previously discussed this was against in-form teams, all of whom are defensively sound. That description does not apply to Crystal Palace and it's not difficult to envisage Stoke scoring at least a couple of goals here.

Stoke have conceded in all of their last five games, making Both Teams To Score worth considering at 1.96.

To Score

Peter Crouch has been an unlikely source of goals of late for Stoke. The 36-year old has rolled back the years to score four goals in his last six games and is 3.50 to add to his tally.

Recommended Bets
Back Stoke to win at 2.10
Back over 2.50 goals at 2.16