Tip #1: Back Arsenal to win @ 1.70 with bet365.com

Tip #2: Back Under 2.5 Goals @ 2.10 with bet365.com

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Stoke City v Arsenal Betting Tips: Match Preview

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Stoke City

Stoke City have been a mainstay of the Premier League ever since they debuted during the 2008/09 season. At this point, Stoke have struggled to make a step up and attempt to disrupt the sides that are just outside of the top teams.

This season, Mark Hughes should be grateful if he can manage to repeat the 13th-placed finish that they secured last time around. The rationale behind this thinking stems from the fact that the Potters have sold pivotal attacking talents in Marko Arnautović and Jonathan Walters.

In the summer, Stoke have solidified their defence by securing the long-term signing of Bruno Martins Indi, while young centre-back Kurt Zouma has arrived on loan from Chelsea. Josh Tymon has also been added in defence, but is unlikely to be a major contributor.

Saido Berahino arrived in January to improve the front-line, but is yet to score in the league. Of course, it didn’t help that the Potters could only create one shot on target in the 1-0 loss to Everton.

If Berahino continues to struggle, then Hughes could try to use new signing Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting instead. However, they will need to figure out who will do the creating. Hughes is the latest manager to fall in love with 3-4-3, but Bojan, Xherdan Shaqiri, and Joe Allen will have to do more against Arsenal’s questionable defence.

Arsenal

Arsenal fans endured a rollercoaster experience during their opening 4-3 victory of the Premier League season. Leicester City weren’t solid at defending last season, so Arsenal will have been confident of putting a couple of goals past the Foxes. However, the goals conceded made Arsenal’s victory anything but routine.

Alexandre Lacazette made a solid debut by scoring a header from a Mohamed Elneny cross after only two minutes. Gunners fans were buoyed by that positive opening, but the doubts arose almost immediately after Leicester equalised just three minutes later through Shinji Okazaki.

At point, Arsenal were 3-2 down to the Foxes and staring at embarrassment in their first game of the Premier League season. And they would have to wait for a little late magic on 83 minutes and 85 minutes for Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud, respectively, to score and save the day.

Arsenal are currently dealing with injuries and or suspensions to centre-backs Laurent Koscielny, Shkodran Mustafi, and Per Mertesacker. This is especially problematic considering Arsène Wenger is using a 3-4-3 formation.

Mustafi is said to be close to returning and his presence would be vital for upgrading on Rob Holding or Nacho Monreal, while free signing Sead Kolašinac looks to be a shrewd signing. Arsenal are still capable of scoring without Alexis Sánchez, but their shaky defence could drop points.

Verdict

In seasons past, it would have been tempting to back the draw at 3.80, but Stoke City are questionable this season. The Potters have sold key attacking talents without taking steps to properly replace them.

This will make life easier on an Arsenal defence who will surely concede fewer goals than last weekend, and thus contribute to a victorious performance.

Tip #1: Back Arsenal to win @ 1.70 with bet365.com

Tip #2: Back Under 2.5 Goals @ 2.10 with bet365.com

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Category: Football Betting Tips
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