Premier League preview and odds: Stoke City vs Watford

Published on: 03/01/2017

Premier League preview and odds: Stoke City vs Watford

January 03, 2016 20:00pm - Bet365 Stadium

Referee: Neil Swarbrick

Premier League

Stoke City will look to end their difficult holiday period on a positive note when they welcome Walter Mazzarri`s faltering Watford side to the Bet365 Stadium on Tuesday night.

Eight goals conceded in last two games for Stoke City

It hasn`t been an easy Christmas schedule for Stoke City, who were handed back-to-back trips to Anfield and Stamford Bridge in the space of four days. However, Mark Hughes` men now have a great chance to bounce back against a side who are just one point above them in the table.

A winless run of five games has left the Potters languishing in 15th place in the table, just six points above the relegation zone. On home soil, their record makes much better reading with three wins, three draws and just one defeat from their last seven games.

Meanwhile, opponents Watford have hit a sticky patch of their own, with just one win in their last seven matches. Away from home, they have lost their last four games in a row and failed to score in their last two.

The Hornets have reaped just one point form their festive schedule so far and come into this game on the back of a 1-4 defeat at home to Tottenham Hotspur. They have conceded at least one goal in each of their last nine Premier League matches.

Team news

Jonathan Walters (knee), Marc Muniesa (knee), Geoff Cameron (knee), Jack Butland (ankle) and Stephen Ireland (leg) are all out of action for the home side.

Meanwhile, the visitors are still managing an extensive injury list that includes Nordin Amrabat (ankle), Juan Camilo Zuniga (hamstring), Daryl Janmaat (groin), Valon Behrami (hamstring), Roberto Pereyra (muscle), Stefano Okaka (hamstring), Adrian Mariappa (knee) and Brice Dja Djedje (foot). Ben Watson will also miss out for personal reasons.

Recent form (League):

Stoke City: LLDDL

Watford: LDLLW

Betting odds and tips

On Saturday, Stoke became the first team in 13 matches to score more than one goal against league leaders Chelsea. So despite losing 4-2, they deserve plenty of credit for their performance. The Potters also have a decent record against the teams outside of the current top six, with five wins, five draws and just three defeats in their last 13.

Watford have been inconsistent this season but they are capable of pulling a decent result out of nowhere. However, they have not picked up any points on the road since October and have been plagued by injuries in the last few weeks. As a result, the home win looks like the best bet.

You can back the home win at a best price of 4/5 or Stoke City/Under 2.5 at 29/10.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 03/01/2017

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (03/01/2017 12:24:18) but are subject to change.