Stoke are yet to win this season but they have faced some very tough assignments to date and can register a first victory on Saturday.
I didn’t expect great things from Tony Pullis’s team this term but once again they have proved very difficult to beat and the Welshman will be eyeing three points against Swansea this weekend.
Draws against Arsenal and Manchester City were thoroughly merited and it would have been a trio of stalemates against three of the Premier League’s top teams were it not for a late Ashley Cole winner for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last time out.
Stoke have scored just four goals in five matches but having faced some of the meanest defences in the land they will welcome the visit of the Swans with Michael Laudrup’s new team looking vulnerable of late.
Completely outplayed last Saturday lunchtime by Everton, beaten 3-0 in front of their own supporters, Swansea were very fortunate not to succumb at Crawley in the League Cup in midweek, coming from behind to win 3-2, and it is now nine goals conceded in their past four matches.
Prior to that defeat by the Toffees the Welsh club lost to out-of-form Aston Villa and Laudrup must be wondering what has happened to his charges since opening with 5-0 and 3-0 wins over QPR and Wets Ham respectively.
Swansea recorded four away wins on their return to the top flight last season but they lost the corresponding fixture 2-0 in February, goals from Matthew Upson and Peter Crouch giving Stoke all three points, and it could be a long season ahead.
With a full week to prepare, unlike the visitors, Pullis will have been stressing the importance of three points to his players and I think they will deliver.
Stoke’s combative style should match up nicely against a Swansea team than can sometimes be overrun and the 1.95 about a home win greatly appeals.
3pts Back Stoke (vs. Swansea) @ 1.95 (William Hill)