Stoke City v Arsenal Predictions, Betting Tips and Previews

Bet365 Stadium - Premier League

After their barnstorming opening win over Leicester, Arsenal travel to the Bet365 Stadium to play Stoke City on Saturday evening. Mark Hughes’ side are looking for their first points of the new Premier League season after losing at Everton.

Past Meetings

Stoke have been something of a bogey team to Arsenal since their return to the top flight in 2008. The Gunners had only beaten the Potters away from home once - in 2010 - until last season. However in May of this year, Olivier Giroud, Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez were all on the scoresheet in a 4-1 win.

Team News

There were some encouraging performances from Stoke new boys Darren Fletcher and Kurt Zouma at the weekend. The duo are expected to retain their places along with Saido Berahino, who’s yet to score for the Potters since joining in January. Hughes continues to be without long term absentees Ibrahim Afellay and Stephen Ireland.

Visiting boss Arsene Wenger meanwhile is likely to be without Alexis Sanchez as the Chilean’s transfer saga rumbles on. The official line is that the forward has an abdominal strain, but this could be a facade. Defender Gabriel meanwhile is another few weeks away from making a return after a knee ligament injury.

Stoke v Arsenal Preview and Predictions

Although Giroud’s late winner against Leicester managed to stave off early shouts for ‘Wenger Out’, the Arsenal boss only ever seems one bad result away from discontent these days. Considering this, a trip to Stoke is hardly a fixture the Frenchman will be relishing this early in the season.

For their part, Stoke will be wary of the threat the Gunners pose after last season. It’s a tough way for the Potters to start at the Bet365 Stadium, especially after travelling to Goodison Park in their opening game. They could be boosted by the arrival of Jese Rodriguez though. The former Real Madrid forward looks set to join Stoke on loan from Paris Saint-Germain in what would be an exciting signing.

The odds may swing a bit further in the favour of the hosts if the Jese signing comes off, but at the moment the bookmakers have Stoke as 17/4 underdogs for this one. Wenger’s side are full of optimism after that fabulous comeback, while new striker Alexandre Lacazette has already shown he knows how to find the back of the net. The Gunners start the game at 4/5 in the betting, while the draw’s available at 3/1.

Recommended Bets

Arsenal to win to nil at 12/5

After losing Marko Arnautovic to West Ham, Stoke must rely on the unpredictable Berahino, Bojan and Xherdan Shaqiri. If they don’t fire and Jese isn’t available, expect Arsenal to win to nil.

Berahino to score first in 2-1 Stoke win at 70/1

Back Berahino to finally break his duck at Stoke, as the hosts return to winning ways against the Gunners.