Stoke City v Arsenal: Can Stoke hit Arsenal's Champions League hopes?
Arsenal and Chelsea almost bored the whole nation to tears last Saturday lunchtime as they played out a goalless draw at the Emirates but Stoke will be hoping the only tears will be in the eyes of the Arsenal fans as they look to put another spoke in Arsenal's Champions League hopes.
I don't know exactly what Arsenal have done to Stoke manager Tony Pulis but the Potters always raise their game when the Gunners are in town. They have beaten Arsenal every season they have been in the top flight and will be hoping to make it four-in-a-row when they clash this weekend.
In 2008/09 Stoke won 2-1, with Gael Clichy grabbing a late consolation. The following season, Stoke knocked the Arsenal out of the FA Cup 3-1, although the Gunners did gain revenge by beating them 3-1 in the league in the game where Aaron Ramsey had his leg shattered. Stoke kept up their impressive record last season by defeating Wenger's men again 3-1.
Arsenal return to the lion's den desperate for all three points as Newcastle United breathe heavily down their neck in the race for third place. The Mags are three points behind with a game in hand and Alan Pardew, who also seems to have a grudge against Arsene Wenger, would love to pip Arsenal to the post.
Stoke City's season is over bar the fighting. They have given their fans a European adventure and will be back again next season looking to terrorise more teams, but can they give their fans another famous win over the Arsenal? Our panel is not so sure.
Stoke v Arsenal; Kick Off 3pm April 28 2012
Prediction Panel
|
Arsenal |
Don McMahon |
0 |
V |
1 |
|
Aston Villa |
Frank Pattison |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Blackburn |
Terry Kennedy |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Bolton |
Dave Blackburn |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Chelsea |
Joe Tyler |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Everton |
Chris Goodwin |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Fulham |
Neil Springate |
0 |
V |
3 |
|
Liverpool |
Mark Williams |
0 |
V |
0 |
|
Man City |
Callum Rothwell |
0 |
V |
1 |
|
Man Utd |
Peter Lee |
0 |
V |
2 |
|
Newcastle |
Michael Stout |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
Norwich City |
Sue Read |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
QPR |
Arjun Swaminathan |
0 |
V |
2 |
|
Stoke City |
Philip Eccleston |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Sunderland |
Tony Ratton |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Tottenham |
Mike Richards |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Swansea |
Jim White |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
West Brom |
Andy Wakeman |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Wigan |
Alan Moore |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Wolves |
Chris Cox |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OUR EXPERTS |
|
|
|
|
|
Writer |
Colin Illingworth |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Writer |
Steve Coulter |
0 |
V |
2 |
|
Writer |
Phil Bundy |
0 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Mitch Waddon |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Writer |
Matt Turner |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Writer |
Chris Pettitt |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Hugh Larkin |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Villa fan |
Lynette Ranson |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Blackpool fan |
Phil Trow |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Boro fan |
Sue Gardener |
0 |
V |
3 |
|
Fulham fan |
Russell Goldman |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Pompey fan |
Dan Taylor |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Pompey fan |
Peter Rendle |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
West Ham fan |
Matthew Beeby |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
West Ham fan |
Nigel Telfer |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Editor |
Antony Melvin |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
Panel Verdict
Arsenal should leave the Brit with a point at least.
Home: 4; Draw: 12; Away: 16. TBA 4
* Do we have it right or do you know better? We’d love to hear from you.
