Stoke v West Ham FA Cup Betting Tips & Odds, 13 March 2011

Football Betting

West Ham, in their unpredictable form are actually worth taking in your betting here. The cups seems to have been a good outlet for Avram Grant’s men this year, with the Hammers reaching the semi final of the Carling Cup. This is a big opportunity for them, a break from their relegation battle, and after hammering Stoke 3-0 at Upton Park at the start of March, then they should be confident. You can also go back to last October when the two sides met in the Carling Cup, a match which West Ham also won by a 3-1 scoreline. In their troubled season, the Hammers look to enjoy breaking out against Stoke, and are therefore worth backing again, as there are not too many team selection problems for Grant to worry about. Even Robbie Keane may be ready to make an appearance for them. Many will perceive West Ham to be the weaker side, because Stoke are at home and they can be a stubborn side to break down at times, and their tough tackling, direct football under Tony Pulis, may upset West Ham’s rhythm. Still it is worth taking some value on West Ham, as they have proven that they can get the better of their northern opponents.

Stoke haven’t  managed to beat West Ham in three attempts this season. They were held at home by the Hammers in September, before losing at Upton  Park in the league and the Carling Cup. Although Stoke are six places higher in the Premier League than West Ham, it is the London side who are carrying the better form. Over the last four league matches, Stoke have lost three and drawn one, while Saturday’s FA Cup opponents West Ham have won two, drawn one and lost one. The Hammers are on something of a bit of a revival and there are only three points separating those six places in the league. Stoke’s only recent victory was the 3-0 victory over Brighton in the FA Cup, which set up this all Premier League Quarter Final. However, Stoke haven’t actually been beaten at the Britannia Stadium in 2011, so that may tip the favour in the FA Cup football betting markets. Stoke did do the double over West Ham in the league last year, and at home, City have a 52% win percentage against West Ham. Out of 42 matches between the two sides at Stoke, the home side have won 22, with West Ham tallying 12 victories there. Eight of the encounters have been draws. Stoke have netted 59 goals, while the Hammers have responded with just 44.

So, looking at things, there may not be too much between the two sides, but the match going to a replay doesn’t look to be too high of a possibility. Neither team are great and chances at both ends should come, and should be plenty enough for someone to grab a semi final place. The Hammers are carrying decent form to cause an away upset here, and they haven’t been beaten away since the end of January, when they lost to Birmingham in the Carling Cup. It is worth looking at West Ham in your football betting for this one, they seem to be getting things together a bit, and could edge this one.

Stoke v West Ham FA Cup Odds

Stoke to win: 6/5 at Bet365
Draw: 5/2 at BetFred
West Ham Utd to win: 11/4 at Blue Square

Stoke v West Ham Betting Tip:

Both teams to score – YES Evens at Totesport