21:00 Stoke - Newcastle 3+ (2.25)
For the very end of the sixth round of the English Premier League, we have two teams from the lower part of the table, the 13-ranked Stoke which currently has two points more than the last Newcastle. Let us add that a few days ago, both teams qualified for the next round of League Cup, and that five of their last duels ended with the victory of the hosts.
That is why the team of Stoke now hopes for a favourable outcome against Newcastle, especially since they six days ago celebrated as guests with 2-1 against Sunderland in the third round of the League Cup. In this way, coach Hughes players have only proceed with an entirely unusual practice for them, and that means that they are at the start of the season playing much better on the side than on their Britannia Stadium.
Thus they won all five points won on the side, when they played a draw with Hull and QPR and celebrated over the current champion Manchester City, while they were at home defeated by Aston Villa and Leicester. All this tells us that Hughes will have to change the tactics of his team before this duel with Newcastle, and that means that we expect a lot more offensive edition of Stoke, with the proviso that the injured defender Cameron and midfielder Palacios are still out of action for this match.
Probable lineups Stoke: Begovic – Bardsley, Shawcross, Wilson, Pieters – N’Zonzi, Whelan – Moses, Adam, Diouf – Crouch
As for Newcastle, they definitely represent the biggest disappointment at the start of the Premier League, since they are at the very bottom of the table, and with the effect from just three draws and two defeats. So far their only two victories in this season happened in the English League Cup, first in the second round against Gillingham, and then five days ago away at Crystal Palace, where they admittedly celebrated only after extra time with 3-2.
However, their slightly better performance, especially in attack, will probably give them a little more confidence before this away match with Stoke and therefore we believe that their experienced coach Pardew, whose position is seriously in jeopardy, could again send an offensive lineup to the field. In addition, he rested some of his key players against Newcastle in the League Cup, so they will now be much more prepared for this very important challenge in the championship, but he still cannot count on the injured defensive players Santon and Ryan Taylor and midfielder Gutierrez.
Probable lineups Newcastle: Krul – Janmaat, Williamson, Coloccini, Dummett – Tiote, Colback – Sissoko, Cabella, Gouffran – Papis Cisse
Although Stoke for years applies for the most defensive team in the Premiership, they presented themselves in a completely different edition at the start of the season, which with traditionally offensive and aggressive approach from Newcastle only suggests an open and efficient match on Monday at Britannia Stadium.
Pick: 3+ (over 2.5 goals)
Stake: 9/10
Odds: 2.25 at betvictor (down to 2.15 can be played)