Stoke City – Blackburn Rovers

Stoke are a decent home side and despite not so good results lately (only 2 wins at home of last 10 games), they’ve been playing good and I expect better results. Against Spurs (1-2) were unlucky, as well as against West Ham (1-1). They’re creating plenty of chances (Stoke have hit the woodwork 8 times, more than any other team), but lacking in goals. Club made some serious investments in new players (Jones, Pennant and signing Gudjohnsen should be right move considering his aerial abilities) and I’m sure they will be improving.  They won at Newcastle 2-1 in last round and that should be additional moral boost.  Andy Wilkinson and mentioned Pennant are doubts, while Fuller’s injury is not as bad as it looked and he’ll be in the squad.

Rovers have noticed a good start of the campaign, but oppositely from the hosts they were lucky in few occasions that allowed them to sit in the middle of the table. God knows how they resisted against City (1-1 away) and they deserved a defeat at Blackpool but scored in additional time for a win. However, fact is Blackburn under Big Sam are very poor traveler. In previous season they won just 3 times on the road and in one before that 4 times. Majority of their points are collected at home, while away play without a pressure, keep 0-0 and try to use their most dangerous weapon – set pieces. Striker Roberts and midfielder Andrews should be fit for the game, but key man Dunn and Grella are still sidelined.

                                                                                     

Both sides carry old fashioned English football with lots of fight in the air and this won’t be pretty game to watch. However, I can see bigger desire for a win at Stoke and a decent amount of unused potential. Expect a tight game and 1-0 home win.

Bet: Stoke -0.25
Odd: 2.00 bet365
Stake: 8/10

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Birmingham - Blackburn

Birmingham noticed a great season in their Premier League debut. Especially were good at their home soil when they had just 2 defeats (Villa and Bolton, both in September). Their main problem was limited number of players and as a consequence a big injury list through the season. They haven’t brought too many players and will suffer because of that, but no injury problems right now. New man is 202cm striker Nikola Zigic. I’m very suspicious about his scoring abilities, but his contribution will be to tight central defenders for himself and to allow Jerome to “run around” and some run on the flanks. Birmingham are unbeaten in their last 15 games and defeated Blackburn in last five at St Andrew's.

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Rovers started the season with surprising (but, very lucky at the same time) home win over Everton 1-0. Personally, don’t have too much sympathy for their playing potential. Big Sam led them to 10^th place last season and I would be really shocked to see them higher than that. Also they had a terrible away record last season, won just 3 games of 19 and scored only 13 goals! Key man David Dunn is injured, as well as another midfielder Vince Grella.

 

I've been thinking a lot about this one and can not fully exclude a possibility of a draw. Expect a tight game and home win, but will make a limitation.

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Bet: Birmingham -0.25

Odd: 2.03  Pinnacle

Stake: 7/10

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