Chelsea vs Stoke FA Cup Betting

Chelsea look to defend their FA Cup crown with a home fixture against Stoke on Sunday. The Blues do have some selection problems ahead of the match, with the defence awaiting news on the fitness of Ricardo Carvalho. They will also be missing the influence of Michael Ballack who was sent off in last week’s defeat against Manchester City in the league. Chelsea also heard news this week that defender Jose Bosingwa won’t be back in action this season. Regardless of their starting line up, Chelsea will go into the match as favourites. The defeat at Stamford Bridge to Man City, was the first defeat which Chelsea have suffered at home all season, and ended a run of 37 consecutive games without defeat at home. Their plight wasn’t helped by the fact that goalie Petr Cech is out of action.

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti needs to get his team going again, the way they were earlier in the season. Backup goalie Hilario, is no Petr Cech, and that means the Chelsea defence, which looked vulnerable defending set pieces this season, will need to dig deep and stand firm. Having lost their last two games, one against Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan, and the 4-2 loss against Man City in the Premier League will have set nerves jangling just a little bit around Stamford Bridge. They started out as favourites for the FA Cup though, and having seen Man United, Liverpool and Arsenal all fall cheaply, it will be a surprise in many circles, not least the bookmakers, if Chelsea do not lift the trophy. They will firmly have their eyes set on a semi final place, as they take on Arsenal’s FA Cup conquerors Stoke City.

Recent England call up, defender Ryan Shawcross will be missing at the heart of the Stoke defence. It will have been hard to avoid the reason why. He was the one who ended Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey’s season with a boisterous tackle, which got Arsene Wenger all hot under the collar. Stoke, under Tony Pulis, have given a good account of themselves this season, and look fairly secure in their mid table position. They had an extended unbeaten run in the Premier League, during 2010, until they lost their last match against Arsenal last weekend. Pulis has turned Stoke into one of those sides which are extremely tough to play against, as they favour the physical and direct route to goal.

Stoke’s win column away from home, is looking a little sparse though as they have only managed two in the Premier League. This, for betting strategies, is another aspect which will have betting leaning towards a Chelsea win. Stoke do have an offensive weapon from the thrown ins, as Rory Delap launches horizontal missiles goal wards, and gets such distance on them, it is the equivalent of a corner when Stoke get at throw in anywhere in the final third of the pitch. Stoke gave Chelsea run for their money on the opening day of the season, when the Blues had to come from behind to seal a late win at the Britannia Stadium. Stoke will be the sternest test Chelsea have had in the FA Cup this season, as the Premier League favourites have played only Championship opposition up until now.

BETTING STATS (All competitions)

Head to Head
Stoke 1, Chelsea 2
Chelsea 2, Stoke 1
Stoke 0, Chelsea 2

Last 5 Match Goals:
Chelsea: 10 For, 9 Against
Stoke: 6 For, 7 Against

Last 10 Form
Chelsea: W6, D1, L3
Stoke City: W3, D6, L1

Win Percentage:
Chelsea have an 85.7 win percentage at home
Stoke have a 12.5 win percentage away from home

MATCH PRICES
Chelsea to win: 3/10 at Expekt
Draw: 5/1 at Bet365
Stoke to win: 11/1 at SkyBet

Asian Handicap Betting Advice: Chelsea will be expected to reach the semi finals. They will want to gain a bit of confidence by winning this one at the first attempt. With their dodgy away form this season, Ancelotti will not relish this going back to the Britannia for a replay. One streak which may be worth taking a punt on, is an Anytime Scorer Bet on Chelsea’s Daniel Sturridge, who has scored in each round of the competition so far. He has four in the competition, the same as Stoke’s Ricardo Fuller, who is their best source for goals. As for the Handicap, the best returns will come from backing Stoke in the positive. Yes, they may lose, but they could be tough enough to hold on to:
Stoke +1.5 Asian Handicap: Evens at Bet365

Daniel Sturridge Anytime Scorer: Evens at SportingBet
Ricardo Fuller Anytime Scorer: 4/1 at SkyBet