Newcastle v Stoke: Ba to continue scoring record against Potters
Published:Newcastle welcome Stoke City this weekend and the Magpies are 8/13 to come out on top and record a sixth straight win in the Premier League that will leave them only one away from matching their record of seven consecutive league victories and secure a Europa League place at least for next season.
Alan Pardew’s men have lost just one of their last eight and blew the Potters away earlier in the season at the Britannia, whilst Stoke have failed to win on their travels in their last seven.
Tony Pulis’ side will go to the Sports Direct Arena in confident mood despite only winning one of their last seven they have not lost on the Geordies home turf since their return to the top-flight and are 4/1 to upset the North East side with a triumph here.
The draw is available at 11/4, and with the visitors drawing in three of their last five outings this may be the best they can hope for against the in-form Toon.
Demba Ba seems to enjoy playing against Stoke, Pulis famously pulled out of a move for the number 19 due to a knee problem, the Senagal international has gone on to show him what he is missing with four in two league matches against them.
The rangy striker is 4/1 to extend his fine record against the team he nearly joined by opening the scoring in this one.
Ba’s strike partner currently has the best goal to minute ration in Premier League history, netting every 68.4 minutes; Papiss Demba Cisse is 7/2 to be first on target.
Peter Crouch has hit some form just in time for the Euros and has three in his last six, he will be out to impress the incoming England boss and is 10/1 to put his team 1-0 up.
If games finished at half-time the Staffordshire club would find themselves lingering in 19th position, so it looks sensible to go for Newcastle to be leading at half-time and at the final whistle at 13/8.
