After a quiet week for everyone at West Ham, the action returns with the ever exciting trip to Stoke City’s Britannia Stadium. The Hammers unbeaten run was ended last time out, losing 1-0 to Everton at Goodison Park. Prior to that, West Ham were five matches unbeaten and had won all 4 matches in February, promoting Sam Allardyce to receive the Premier League Manager of the Month award. As for Stoke City, they have lost just one of their last six matches, which was to Manchester City having previously beaten Manchester United and Arsenal in that six game period. Both sides have been in good form of late and are matched on 31 points with West Ham sitting two places above Stoke in 10th on goal difference.
In the last four Premier League meetings between the sides, West Ham have won two, with one draw and loss. The loss was in the last meeting between the two sides, earlier this season at Upton Park. Jermaine Pennant scored a fine free kick to steal all three points late on.
If there were two sides who were known for a long ball style of play, it would be these two. That will be expected and by no means will it be an excellent game for the neutral, going by previous encounters. Two sides with similar styles and also similar fortunes so far this season, so this one is shaping up to be a tight affair.
Team News
Stoke are missing three very much key players for this clash. They will be without Jonathan Walters and Charlie Adam through suspensions, who have notched 10 goals between them this campaign and set up a further five. Therefore directly contributing to over 50% of Stoke City’s Premier League goals this season. Robert Huth remains out due to injury and is certainly a key player at the back for Stoke. Oussama Assaidi is also out for Stoke City.
As for West Ham, Joey O’Brien remains out through injury and is joined by loanee Marco Borriello, who is unlikely to feature again this season. Andy Carroll will start after replacing Carlton Cole just 29 minutes into the defeat at Everton. Winston Reid will likely start on the bench again, but will be hoping for a permanent return to a solid West Ham defence soon.
Prediction
All the stats point towards a low scoring match, and in the absence of Charlie Adam and Jonathan Walters, Stoke come up against one of the most effective defences in the Premier League. West Ham will be expecting another clean sheet, and if Andy Carroll is back to his best, West Ham are always in with a chance for a goal. I fancy West Ham to knick this one. 0-1.
