West Ham v Stoke predictions

Match	Date	Selection	Bet	Odds	Bet now
West Ham v Stoke predictions Premier League England, England	19/11/2012 21:00	full time result	West Ham win	2.09	Bet at Pinnacle
Betting prediction was written by Matt

West Ham v Stoke predictions and preview: Betting stats

West Ham are currently 6^th in the Premier League and have amassed 18 points from their opening 11 games (W5 D3 L3). Their form has been fairly impressive recently but they haven’t been able to string together consistent results (LWLDW). At home they have won 3 times, drawn twice and lost just once; to Arsenal. Their games have averaged just 2.27 goals but 6 of their 11 games have seen over 2.5 goals; 5 have had fewer.

Stoke are 12^th on 12 points (W2 D6 L3) and have also been in patchy form lately with a 1-0 home win against QPR halting a winless run (DLDLW). Away from home they are yet to win but they have played teams such as Chelsea, Liverpool and Man Utd. Their games are the lowest scoring in the league at just 1.73 per game and just 2 of the 11 games have seen over 2.5 goals; 9 with fewer.

West Ham are 13-6-5 at home to Stoke and the last time they played, in 2010/11, the Hammers won 3-0. The Stoke side from that day is fairly similar but it must be said only 3 or 4 of the West Ham team remain.

Team News and Run of Play

West Ham look like being without a number of players for this game. Collison remains out, as do Diarra, Taylor and Vaz Te. McCartney, Jarvis and Benayoun have joined them on the injury list. Walters and Adam have added to Stoke’s injury woes as Owen, Delap and Wilson are still out.

I think West Ham’s large fanbase has helped them along to their dizzyingly high league position. Their home form has been impressive and I expect they will continue that throughout the season as Upton Park becomes something of a fortress for the Hammers. They are solid at the back and at home they are scoring goals; not many but enough.

Stoke are unable to secure wins it seems. Against QPR they only just managed to break down a pretty shaky and often leaky defence. They have conceded a few goals away from home but are still a good defensive side and will remain so for the season I expect. I shouldn’t think they’ll ship many goals in this game but I still think they need to do more in games, draws aren’t enough.

West Ham v Stoke predictions: 1X2 betting preview

For me, if the home side were odds-on I’d favour the draw, but at 2.09 with Pinnacle the bet here is a West Ham win. They are good at home and should do enough to beat this Stoke side. I expect it will be won by just a single goal and don’t see it being a classic, but the Hammers are the better side and will hope to make it show and keep up with the surprise packages in 4^th and 5^th.

If you agree the Hammers will take all three points, bet here.

West Ham v Stoke predictions: Asian Handicap preview

With the main handicap at -0.5, West Ham -0.5 is the bet but with the price also at 2.09 with Pinnacle I see no point in betting it with the match market easier to use.

West Ham v Stoke predictions: Total Goals preview

West Ham’s home games have seen an average of 2.5 goals but with Stoke’s away games averaging 2.33 I can see the sides cancelling each other out. A stale game will probably end 1-0 and therefore under 2.5 goals is the bet. The bookies tend to agree and the game is one of the shortest priced unders market I’ve seen in the PL. Best price is 1.80 with Stan James and is worth a punt.

If you agree with me and the bookies, bet here.