Premier League betting – Chelsea vs Stoke odds

Chelsea vs Stoke betting preview

Carlo Ancelotti conceded that the red mist descended on John Terry after his sending off in the 2-1 defeat at Spurs. And now the Blues’ must prepare to do battle with Stoke on Sunday without their skipper. Terry’s sending off at White Hart Lane summed up a disappointing afternoon and ended the FA Cup finalists four match winning run. Tony Pulis’ Stoke side visit the Bridge looking to avenge the reverse fixture at the Britannia in September, where Chelsea came from behind to win thanks to a 94th minute Florent Malouda winner. The Potters’ FA Cup run was also ended by the Blues’ in March at the quarter final stage, and the bookies are sounding Stoke out of this one at a massive 20/1, Chelsea are poor value at 1/6 while the draw pays out at 7/1 with Bet365.

While Chelsea left White Hart Lane empty handed at the weekend, Manchester United blew the title race wide open thanks to Paul Scholes’ last-gasp header at Eastlands. One point now separates the leading pair, but Chelsea face a difficult trip to Anfield in their next game which could be the season defining game. The Blues’ are odds on at 8/13 to hold the Premier League Crown aloft on May 9, but United are breathing right down their necks and at 11/8, they could yet nick the closest title race in Premier League history. Prior to their loss at Spurs, Chelsea had taken maximum points from their last four outings including victory at Old Trafford. A league and cup double is still on the horizon, so snap up the 15/8 SkyBet are offering for Chelsea to end the campaign with two pieces of silverware.

It was the Potters versus the Trotters last weekend, but it was Owen Coyle’s men who came out on top thanks to a late Matty Taylor double salvo. Wanderers inflicted only Stoke’s sixth home defeat of the season leaves the club mulling over mid-table mediocrity guaranteeing a third season in England’s top division. The Staffordshire based club’s bold, unfashionable, physical approach at the Britannia has caused problems for every visiting team, yet their away form this season has been something of a worry. They have won only three times on their travels all season and have hit just 9 goals in the process, the lowest in the league. Their inconsistent form of late has seen two wins, two draws and two defeats but three more points from their remaining four games will see them better last term’s tally of 45.

The Stamford Bridge faithful have yet to witness their side fail to score at home this season. The majority of these goals have been scored by Didier Drogba and it is no surprise he is the bookies favourite to open the scoring on Sunday at 9/4. Frank Lampard netted a late consolation at Spurs and has rediscovered his goal scoring from of late, scoring four against Aston Villa at the end of March, he looks a good bet at 4/1 to break the deadlock. Perhaps better value is for the England midfielder and Florent Malouda to both score in the game, SkyBet offer a plausible 5/1. Stoke’s main goal threat lies with Ricardo Fuller, the Jamaican already has eight goals to his name this term, 14/1 says he grabs the opener in this one. The Blues have rolled teams over at the Bridge on many occasions this campaign, they have scored three or more goals in thirteen games here in all competitions. With this in mind and Stoke’s poor scoring record on the road, it might be worth a flutter on the 13/10 with William Hill that Chelsea score over 3.5 goals.

Can Stoke upset the odds and have a big say in the destination of the Premier League title? Get your spectacles and find out ready because this one’s live in 3D.

Recommended bets:

Over 3.5 goals @ 13/10 with William Hill. Visit William Hill

By Mikey Mumford

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