Stoke City vs West Ham
English Premier League
Date: Saturday, 29th April 2017
Kick-off at 15:00 UK / 16:00 CET
Venue: Bet365 Stadium, Stoke on Trent
Match Preview
In the case of Stoke City this offers an opportunity to make up for yet another poor performance on the road. Last week at Swansea, Stoke played poorly, missed a penalty and conceded twice. Stoke should be going out to win this one, but could be caught out if they’re not careful.
West Ham however are only a point behind Stoke and with a win could get as far as 9th if results elsewhere go their way. After plenty of problems throughout the season and even nearing relegation at one point, a win at Stoke could be the perfect way to finish a respectable top half for West Ham.
Neither side is seriously threatened by relegation but both will want to put on a good display for their fans and in aid of a higher finish.
Opta stats
Stoke are unbeaten against West Ham in the Premier League under Mark Hughes, winning three of their seven clashes (D4).
West Ham have won only once in their last seven away trips to Stoke in all competitions (D2 L4) - winning 1-0 in March 2013.
Saido Berahino has scored in three of his four previous starts against West Ham United in the Premier League (three goals).
However, Berahino hasn't scored a Premier League goal since February 27, 2016 (for West Brom vs Crystal Palace) and has since gone 24 games and 1567 minutes without a goal in the competition.
Mark Hughes' next win as a manager in the Premier League will be his 150th. Only six managers have previously reached this tally in the competition: Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger, Harry Redknapp, David Moyes, Sam Allardyce and Jose Mourinho.
West Ham have won 38 points from 34 Premier League matches this season - it took them only 24 matches to win more points last season (39).
Slaven Bilic's side have conceded in the 83rd minute or later in each of their last four Premier League away games, with these goals costing the Hammers four points.
Stoke City vs West Ham: Head-to-head
Four out of five previous meetings between the two sides ended as a draw. The December’s reverse in London ended as a 1-1 draw. Three out of last five clashes between Stoke and West Ham saw 2 or fewer goals scored.
Stoke City vs West Ham: Prediction
The absence of inspiration on both sides and the recent meetings point to another draw and a low-tempo match with only a goal or two.
Stoke City vs West Ham: Bet tips
The first pick will be Draw at 3.40.
You could also try Correct Score 1-1 at the odds of 7
