POTTERS FAVOURED FOR VICTORY IN STOKE VS ASTON VILLA

Gerard Houllier’s first fixture in charge of Aston Villa is looking to be a serious test as the bookmakers are favouring Stoke City to win this match at home. It’s been an interesting season or two in the Premier League for Stoke City and this match is indicative of just how established the Potters have become.
As it currently stands, you can back Stoke City to win at a 6/4 margin while Aston Villa are trading at a 15/8 price. The draw can be had at 11/5 and that looks a decent enough selection for the neutrals.
Stoke on a (-1.0) handicap is trading at a lengthy 9/2 and there’s plenty of money to be made from backing either side to win by a considerable distance. The bookmakers don’t favour many goals here with Paddy Power listing the over/under at 2.5 and the under being listed at 4/7. The over is trading at 5/4.
Stoke are listed at 3/1 to win to nil while Aston Villa are trading at 7/2 to do the same. Stoke are 8/1 to win both halves while Villa are 10/1. It’s clear that they expect a see-saw type of affair and this brings the half-time/full-time market into play with draw/Stoke available at 9/2 while draw/Villa can he had at 11/2.
If you’re really looking for a big payout here, try either side to win by a (-2.0) handicap where you’ll find Stoke at 13/1 and Villa at a massive 18/1.
A penalty to be scored at any point in this match is priced at 10/3 while Villa are favoured for the first booking with an 8/11 price ahead of 11/10 Stoke City.
This match could be quite a nervy affair for both sides and you can expect the first goal to be crucial. If the score does stay below 2.5 then this will likely be a match defined by one or two crucial mistakes. If you fancy a low-scoring affair, try backing the defenders to score and you’re into the over 2.5 then backing either side by a (-2.0) margin is going to pay serious dividends.