Will the Cherries also score at home to Stoke?

Last season Bournemouth missed out on promotion to the English top flight. Instead, the Cherries are now on course for the Premier League this season. Twelve matchdays after the start of the 2021/22 season, head coach Scott Parker’s team is at the top of the Championship table.

The Cherries, meanwhile, are the only team in the second division not to have lost a game this season. The Championship leaders now face a stern test at Stoke City during the week, with no clear favourites – at least according to the best bookmakers.

The Cherries’ Tuesday opponents are, after all, one of the Championship’s strongest teams at home. Stoke City already managed to beat West Brom at home before the recent international break. Therefore, it would not be surprising if a home win against the league leaders from Bournemouth were to come as well.

The last time the Potters won against their upcoming opponents was almost six years ago. Since then, Stoke have lost three home games in a row against the Cherries. If that negative streak is ended in the upcoming match, odds of 2.90 are being paid out on Stoke vs Bournemouth for a bet on the hosts from Stoke-on-Trent.

Stoke – Statistics & current form

Just like Tuesday’s opponents from Bournemouth, Stoke City are also among the tight group of promotion candidates in the Championship this season. Year after year, the Potters have lagged behind the great expectations and had to postpone their return to the English top flight again and again.

Now, for the first time, there are realistic chances of promotion to the Premier League – at least that is the interim conclusion after twelve match days. Stoke City, meanwhile, are in one of the four places for the promotion play-offs. In addition, the second, direct promotion place is also within reach with a gap of only four points.

The recent defeat against Sheffield United was therefore all the more serious, especially as the Potters also squandered a lead. Within three minutes, Stoke conceded two goals, which ultimately led to the narrow away defeat. They now have the chance to make amends at home against the Cherries from Bournemouth

Does Stoke use home advantage?

At home, Stoke City are aiming for their sixth home win in the Championship. Apart from the draw against Barnsley, Stoke have won five games at the Bet365 Stadium so far. That includes the recent home win over West Brom, in which the Potters kept their clean sheet for the second game in a row.

If they can build on their strong performance against the Championship runners-up, SCFC are likely to score at home against the league leaders. The defensive bulwark of the fifth-placed team in the table speaks in favour of this, as they have conceded only four goals in six home games so far.

If Stoke vs Bournemouth even manage a home win, attractive odds will be paid out for a bet on the Potters. Head coach Michael O’Neill is expected to have all players available for the top-of-the-table clash against the Cherries. Changes compared to the last starting eleven cannot be ruled out.

Predicted Stoke line-up:
Davies; Chester, Souttar, Wilmot; Smith, Allen, Sawyers, Tymon; Powell, Vrancic; Brown

Last games played by Stoke:

Bournemouth – Statistics & current form

Last season, AFC Bournemouth failed in the promotion play-offs and thus missed the chance of direct promotion back to the English top flight. As in the last season, the Cherries are again among the close circle of promotion candidates in the current season. So far, Bournemouth have made a strong start to the season and are even leading the table after twelve match days.

Head coach Scott Parker’s team has yet to lose a match in the Championship. In twelve games, Bournemouth have a record of 8-4-0, with a goal difference of 20:8 for the Cherries. Statistically, the Championship leaders have the strongest defensive bulwark in the league, equal to last-place Derby Count.

Bournemouth have gone three of their last five games without conceding a goal. This was also the case last weekend at Bristol City, where the Cherries celebrated an unchallenged away victory (2-0). In Stoke-on-Trent, Bournemouth now face an endurance test against the Potters, who are strong at home. The recent away record against their upcoming opponents is particularly encouraging.

Will the fourth away win in a row against Stoke be on the cards?

Bournemouth have visited Stoke City three times since September 2015. All three away games were won by the Cherries. Betting fans who would like to make a prediction on the visitors in the upcoming match between Stoke vs Bournemouth can pick up attractive betting odds at the bookmakers if they are successful.

Bournemouth have a 4-2-1 record away from home so far, with the Cherries’ only away defeat coming in the EFL Cup against Norwich City. Since then, Bournemouth have gone unbeaten away from home four times in a row. Parker’s side have also conceded just one goal in their six Championship away games.

Against Stoke City, the visitors from Bournemouth will only be missing Brooks, Smith and Cook. There are no other absentees for the Championship leaders.

Predicted line-up of Bournemouth:
Travers; Stacey, Cahill, Kelly, Zemura; Lerma, Billing, Pearson; Christie, Solanke, Anthony

Last matches played by Bournemouth:

Stoke – Bournemouth Direct comparison / H2H balance

This is the 23rd time the two clubs have met across competitions. So far, Stoke City lead the direct comparison against the Cherries with a record of 11-4-7. However, the Potters have lost four of their last seven games against AFC Bournemouth. Last season, Stoke squandered home advantage in the first leg (0-1) but produced a surprising away coup in the second leg (2-0).

Stoke City have not won a home game against Bournemouth since September 2015. There have been three defeats in the last three home games against the Cherries, with the Potters conceding a total of four goals.

Stoke – Bournemouth Tip

AFC Bournemouth are not only hot contenders for the two direct promotion places after their impressive start to the season, but also one of the big Championship favourites. The Cherries have not lost in twelve games so far, so Parker’s team will travel to Stoke City with a broad chest.

The Cherries’ opponents on Tuesday have not made a bad start to the season either, but Stoke City have already suffered three defeats in the current season. One of those three defeats came against Sheffield United last weekend, with head coach Michael O’Neill’s side squandering a comfortable lead in the closing stages.

Because Stoke have been convincing at least in their own stadium so far, the Potters will hardly hide against their upcoming opponents. Recently Stoke could already score three times against West Brom. We therefore by no means rule out another surprise coup for the hosts from Stoke-on-Trent and expect a match on a par.

With the defensive qualities on both sides, we tend to expect a low-scoring encounter. With a stake of five units, we therefore dare to bet on Stoke vs Bournemouth at good odds on less than 2.5 goals.