Spurs’ quality individuals can mastermind 5/6 win at Stoke

Whisper it but with a six point cushion and a vastly superior goal difference to Wigan – six points behind them with two games to go – Stoke go into their clash with Tottenham knowing that bar some spectacular Latics results they’re safe. The relaxation that safety engenders could see the hosts allow Spurs to nick their first win in the sides’ last four meetings to keep their slim Champions League qualification alive – Coral go 5/6 about a Lilywhites triumph.

In the last three games Stoke have finally awoken from slumbers which saw them kop just one win in 13 league outings from the turn of the year, winning twice and drawing at Sunderland to shuffle onto and all but over the finish line in the race to safety. However their stalemate at the Stadium of Light – in which they had a man advantage for 56 minutes – is indicative of the enduring trouble Tony Pulis’ men have in scoring goals.

Tottenham’s defence had little trouble keeping the Stoke storm troopers at bay at White Hart Lane earlier in the season – when the sides fought out a 0-0 draw  – and a Spurs clean sheet can be backed at 6/4 with Stoke the third lowest home scorers in the league this term.

The Lilywhites proved once again at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday that a less than stellar performance won’t necessarily stop them claiming a result, such are the game-changing capabilities of their star men, with Emmanuel Adebayor beaming back from whatever parallel universe he’s been living in all season to mastermind a 2-2 draw the scarcely deserved.

This bodes well for a potential smash and grab job in the Potters back yard and the often sonambulent Togolese can be backed to register the first or last goal at 11/2.

Still on the subject of star names, Andre Villas-Boas welcomes back imposing box-to-box midfielder Moussa Dembele from a hamstring injury for the clash and his strong presence in the middle of the park should give Spurs leverage in the endless battles and scraps that playing Stoke engenders. His importance to his side’s cause is clear from the fact that Tottenham have lost just four of 34 games he’s started this term.

Given Spurs were able to nick a point at Stamford Bridge even without the Belgian, they can be expected to step up on that showing with Dembele back in the fold and nick a victory.