Stoke to effectively seal Fulham’s fate at fortress Britannia

Whether or not Mark Hughes has changed Stoke’s playing style for the better is a discussion best left to the drinking establishments of the Potteries, but one element of the Tony Pulis era he has maintained is a strong showing whenever they turn out at the Britannia Stadium.

Only the Premier League’s current top five can claim to have picked up more points at their own gaff than Stoke, which places their home form above that of both Tottenham and Manchester United.

Although Spurs did leave Staffordshire with the spoils last time out, Hughes had every reason to take umbrage with some dubious officiating from Andre Marriner and unfortunately for Fulham they are next in line for Stoke to take out their vengeance on.

What was already looking like a Herculean task to survive for Felix Magath’s visitors was made all the more tricky by relinquishing a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at home with Hull in their last game.

Now Stoke should be backed with confidence at 23/20 to drive a nail into Fulham’s Premier League coffin and send them the way of five other bottom-half teams to have visited, empty handed.

Any lingering doubts for those punters harbouring romantic notions about a plucky Fulham win at 11/5 should be suitably put off by the fact the Cottagers have scraped a single point against top-half opposition on their travels all season.

It’s safe to say that this is a top-flight low and just one of a plethora of reasons that the west Londoners’ Premier League jolly is going to come to an end.

Of the possible Potters goalscorers, Peter Odemwingie – with two strikes in his last four home appearances – is attractively priced at 6/1 to grab the opener.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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