Can Stoke City recover from Man U beating in time for visiting WBA

After crashing to their worst defeat of the season at the Old Trafford, following the full force of Man U’s fury, Stoke City returns to their stomping ground at Britannia Stadium for their upcoming fixture against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, and has to somehow move forward and get ready.

Sports betting bettors did not really expect Stoke City to beat the European and League champions, Man U at the Old Trafford. But after the tad excessive 5:0 loss, the concern for sports bettors is not whether Stoke City can recover from the disappointment of losing a match they were not really expected to win but whether they can recover from the manner in which they lost. Can Stoke City see the bigger picture and accept the comprehensive beating for what it was: a consequence of coming up against a world-class club that had just suffered a shocking setback in its previous match?

Man U had entered the match somewhat chaffing to the bits following a loss against Arsenal in an all-important derby and slipping in to fourth place in the table. So a Man U retribution was to be expected –even though they were coming up against a different opponent in Stoke City.

If Stoke City can put the Old Trafford chapter behind them quickly, maybe even take a page from the hapless episode, it would follow that they could take the same fury Man U unleashed on them and direct it at West Bromwich Albion.

Soccer Betting Line:

Stoke City -½ +125 +125 2½ O Ev U -120 1½ O +120 U -150 Draw +225

West Bromwich +½ -145 +220 2½ O Ev U -120 1 O -110 U -120 Draw +225

Match Time: 10:00 A.M. Eastern Time, Saturday November 22, 2008

Soccer Betting Analysis:

Stoke City +125: After the beating the Potters received, the odds makers decided not to give them a firm fave nod in their upcoming home fixture though they are still slightly favoured over West Bromwich. Stoke City is delicately poised on the disadvantage plane in the market at +125 and that is not too bad as they hold value for sports bettors. In fact, the Potters enjoyed a modest run before the crushing loss at the Old Trafford. In their five matches prior, they went 3-1-1. At home, they have gone 4-0-2 in their last six – beating Tottenham, Sunderland and Arsenal.

West Bromwich +220: The Albions are at the butt of the Premier League table – a truly undesirable position to occupy – that it is somewhat surprising to find them so modestly disadvantaged in this matchup. They are on an abysmal run – losing five and drawing one of their last six fixtures. Two losses came to powerhouse sides –Chelsea and Liverpool – but they also lost to Newcastle United and Hull City. The draw came against Blackburn at home. Their away record is discouraging as well – 1-1-4.

Soccer Betting Verdict: Stoke City is a good play for the win on Saturday. They have home edge and aside from the crippling trip to the Old Trafford, they had recorded some good results. I expect they will take the loss in the right context and bounce back at home. They might even try to give WBA a taste of their own fury and find the back of the net more than once.

Soccer Free Picks: Stoke City +125 | Over 2.5 goals Even

Nila Amerova is a freelance sports writer and regular contributor to the BetUS.com Locker Room