Blackpool vs Stoke – Potters to sustain their fine form
Published:Blackpool’s need for three points is far greater than Stoke’s as they battle to maintain their slender advantage over the bottom three, but the visitors never show anything other than total commitment.
Match odds
Most teams suffer a dip in their Premier League form after reaching an FA Cup Final but the opposite has been true of Stoke, who followed their stunning 5-0 semi-final win at Wembley by drawing with Aston Villa and beating Wolves.
The 3-0 victory over Wolves was the more emphatic result of the two, however it may well have been the point at Villa Park that pleased Tony Pulis most, as it ended a run of seven straight away league losses.
So they visit the division’s least successful home side Blackpool with plenty of momentum, whereas the Seasiders are winless in seven and enter the last of four consecutive games at Bloomfield Road having taken just a point from the first three.
Ian Holloway’s men have won only one of their last nine as hosts and so are too unreliable to back at 17/10, though as the Potters (6/4) haven’t triumphed on the road in the league in 2011, the draw looks the most likely outcome at 12/5.
Other markets
Stalemates are unheard of within the Golden Mile though, where all 17 of Blackpool’s top-flight fixtures have featured both clubs scoring, so expect that trend to continue at 4/7 and consider 1-1 and 2-2 at 11/2 and 14/1 respectively.
In terms of goalscorers, Kenwyne Jones has hit form of late with four goals in four games and is 6/1 to strike first and 7/4 to net at any time.
A £30 stake on Jones breaking the deadlock would provide a £180 profit. New customers can sign up here for a free £30 bet.
