16/17 Premier League Preview – Matchweek 18: Stoke City (H)

16/17 Premier League Preview – Matchweek 18: Stoke City (H)
December 24, 2016 Gary Fulcher

Part One By Gary Fulcher.

The halfway point of the 2016/17 season is fast approaching, with Liverpool currently sitting in 2nd place in the league, into the semi-finals of the League Cup where Southampton wait and a home tie in the third round of the FA Cup against Plymoth Argyle, the Reds have a lot to look forward to in 2017.

Stoke City are our penultimate visitors to Anfield on Tuesday for the calendar year – 5.15pm kick off UK time – with the Reds having to play catch up with Chelsea, Man City and Arsenal all playing a day earlier. Stoke sit in 11th place with 21 points and are ranked 14th for goals scored (19) and 11th for goals conceded (24). Mark Hughes’ side have kept five clean sheets so far in the league with three shut outs at home (two wins, one draw) and two on the road (won both).

The Potters have recovered well after failing to win any of their opening seven league games – drawing three and losing four – scoring five and conceding 16 in the process. They secured their first victory against Sunderland at home (2-0) and have recorded five wins, three draws and two defeats in their last ten in the Premier League, scoring 14 and conceding 8.

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