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Football News: Premier League Match Preview Monday 16th April 2018

Premier League Match Preview Monday 16th April 2018
Image from: redchairornaments.com

Monday 16th April 2018

 


West Ham United v Stoke City 8pm kick off

 

Cresswell (knee injury) slight doubt
Antonio (hamstring injury) out
Lanzini (MCL injury) late fitness test
Collins (hamstring injury) late fitness test
Reid (MCL injury) out
Byram (ankle injury) out
Obiang (MCL injury expected return 2nd July) out
Carroll (fractured foot) late fitness test

The win over Southampton a couple of weeks ago has given them a nice buffer over the drop zone, though not entirely out of danger they do look like they have enough about them to avoid the drop. Anything other than a defeat to Stoke leaves them in a very strong position heading into their final five games of the season. If they are going to reach safety, it is very likely it will be at home, as their away record is truly awful. This is the best chance they will get to put it to bed and start their preparation for next season as a Premier League team.
Most important player: Joao Mario. I am really not sure what he brings to the side and it feels like David Moyes has even less idea of how to use him. He needs to start making an impact.

 

Stafylidis (fractured rib) out
Choupo-Mouting (groin strain expected return 22nd April) out
Grant (wrist injury) out
Adam (suspended) out

Not even a win will be enough to pull the Potters out of the relegation places, though their form suggests a win is unlikely as it has been 9 matches since they won. It has been four defeats on the bounce as they have slumped miserably, with no sign of any genuine improvement after replacing Mark Hughes with Paul Lambert. They are fast running out of games to even put up a fight against relegation in, let alone avoid it. Every game is becoming a must-win for Stoke now.
Most important player: Badou Ndiaye. Has a lot of energy but has lacked the quality required so far.

 

Defining Battle: this is one of those games that is likely to be played under immense pressure with lots of passion and lots of fear holding back players. Stoke are sluggish at the back and anything played in behind their defence or anyone running at them will cause real problems. They just have to be careful of giving Shaqiri too much time and space.

 

Editors' Predictions:
Ed002 - 2-0
Ed003 - 1-2
Ed004 - 2-1
Ed007 - 2-0
Ed018 - 2-1
Ed025 - 2-2
Ed033 - 1-0

 



Editor's Predictions Table
1. Ed002 - 214 points
2. Ed018 - 209 points
3. Ed025 - 208 points
4. Ed007 - 207 points
5. Ed033 - 204 points
6. Ed004 - 202 points
7. Ed003 - 186 points

 

*1 point is awarded for the correct result, 3 points for the correct score.
**updated 13th April 2018 (not including results for that day)

Written by Tris Burke April 16 2018 06:49:14