Stoke City v Arsenal Betting Tips: Bookings can turn a profit in Saturday’s late kick-off

May 11 2017
May 11 2017
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This fixture has been rather feisty over the years and is historically a match in which Arsenal, who are fighting for a top four spot, have struggled in.

Stoke have had a rather disappointing campaign and currently sit down in 13th. They do not look like they will be replicating their previous 9th place finishes as they have won just one of their last eight games, losing five of them.

Goals have been the big problem for the Potters this season with just 39 scored in 36 matches – the joint-worst record in the top 13 – whilst they have also failed to find the back of the net in four of their last seven. Defensively, Stoke have not been as solid as they have in previous seasons with 52 conceded and just one clean sheet in their last eight.

Something that Stoke have been able to rely upon in recent years is their home form and, in recent times, they have won half of their last six matches and lost just twice in their last eight at the Bet365 Stadium. Additionally, 66% of their total points this season have been taken at home. Having said that, the goal-scoring touch has not been there on home soil with just 23 home goals for Mark Hughes’s side this campaign.

Arsenal managed to secure a victory against Southampton last time out which means they are now just three points off the top four. However, they have an inferior goal difference to Manchester City so Champions League qualification still looks like an uphill task.

The Gunners have long been known as a team who like to play expansive, attacking football which helps them score a large number of goals. However, they have regularly been criticised for being weak at the back which many say has cost them numerous titles over the years. At the moment though, things are a bit different with Arsenal keeping three clean sheets in their last four matches and scoring just five goals in that time. This more solid approach seems to be working for now but is still unlikely to help their final position in the table.

Arsene Wenger’s men have been atrocious on the road in the last couple of months with five losses in their last seven away matches. However, with two wins in their last three and just one loss against teams currently below 8th spot over the course of the season, Arsenal will be confident going into this game.

This fixture has swung both ways in the last few seasons with three Arsenal wins, two Stoke wins and a draw in the last five meetings between the two. Stoke have not lost against Arsenal at home since 2010, however, given their current poor form, that could change here. As mentioned earlier, this is often a feisty affair and so, rather than backing either team to win, cards are the best way to go. ‘Over 3.5 Cards’ at 17/20 looks a decent bet.

You can read more from Thomas here.

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