ROSS Casey (@RossCasey24) has scoured the markets ahead of Monday Night Football as Stoke host Premier League leaders, Man City.
Stoke v Man City | Monday 12th March 2018, 20:00 | Sky Sports
Last weekend’s results certianly went Stoke's way with just one of the nine teams ahead of them picking up three points.
The Potters will be keen to take advantage of that as a win against the odds at home against Man City tonight will see them climb out of the relegation zone.
For a long tome of course, this fixture had the added edge of Mark Hughes being on the touchline for Stoke, after his unceremonious departure from Man City.
He has since been sacked and now it is Paul Lambert who will try to mastermind a victory over the impressive Cityzens.
Stoke
Stoke come into this match on the back of some promising form, with the Potters losing just one of their last six league games – with the form of Xherdan Shaqiri certainly catching the eye.
The Swiss international failed to be a consistent threat for The Potters for a long time, but this season he has scored seven goals – including three in his last four games.
The performance of the former Bayern Munich international could well be key to the result tonight.
Stoke have picked up eight points from their last five games at home and conceded just three goals in the process – however those matches were all against sides in the bottom half and Watford who are 10th.
Man City
Man City arrive into this fixture at the 365 Stadium on the back of a surprise 2-1 defeat at home against Basel in the Champions League.
There is a caveat of course that Pep Guardiola made a lot of changes to his side that evening, but it will be interesting to see if they suffer a hangover from that defeat or they bounce back.
So far this season it has proved to be the latter as all three defeats this season have been followed by victories for Man City.
The 365 isn't a particularly happy hunting ground for City though – they have won just two of their nine Premier League fixtures away to Stoke!
The betting angle
Stoke are bringing no real winning form into this one with just three wins from their last 20 games in all competitions. However, they have lost just one of their last five.
Man City arrive into this one on the back of a humbling 2-1 home loss to Basel in the Champions League and on a Monday night in Stoke, the atmosphere can be pretty fierce. We have already seen Wigan do Man City on a Monday night and Stoke are not to be underestimated here.
Paul Lambert will set his team out to be resolute and strong but also offer plenty on the break with Xherdan Shaqiri in the best form we have seen him in during his largely disappointing spell at Stoke. For that reason I am going to go to the handciap market here and back Stoke +2 at 11/10 so if they lose by less than two goals or better we are a winner.
Best Bets
Stoke v Man City – Stoke +2 Handicap (11/10 Betfred)
