STAR PREVIEW: Rochdale v Stoke

[dropcap]N[/dropcap]ormal service resumed yesterday after ‘Silly Saturday’ and thankfully I got a winner with the Arsenal HT/FT bet. However, in the end, even that got a little nerve-wracking at the Amex despite Arsenal leading 2-0 at half-time.

At 8pm tonight Rochdale play Stoke in the final fourth round game (apart from replays) but before that at 7pm there’s a reason to watch The One Show on BBC – it’s the draw for the fifth round !!!

Stoke are actually playing good football this season, demonstrated by their 10th position in the Premier League table so should prove far too strong for League One rivals Rochdale who are fifth in the table and come into this on the back of three wins.

Rochdale have some good FA Cup successes to their name in recent years, especially at home at Spotland and have dispatched Nottingham Forest and Leeds in the last two seasons. However, they’ve never progressed further than the fifth round.

The biggest worry for their manager Keith Hill is Keith Hill ! The player-manager is suffering from a virus and has been unable to train with his players.

The two sides have never met in the FA Cup and have enjoyed totally contrasting build-ups to this game.

Rochdale have been forced to train indoors in a local sports centre with snow on the Spotland pitch whilst Stoke returned on Friday from a training camp in Dubai !

Rochdale v Stoke
FA Cup Fourth Round
8pm LIVE ON BT SPORT

HEAD TO HEAD STATS
(Maximum 10 matches)
Aug 2007 Carling Cup Rochdale 2-2 Stoke
Aug 2003 Carling Cup Stoke 2-1 Rochdale
Mar 2000 League Trop Stoke 1-0 Rochdale
Mar 2000 League Trop Rochdale 1-3 Stoke
Feb 1999 League Trop Rochdale 2-1 Stoke
Aug 1997 League Cup Stoke 1-1 Rochdale
Aug 1997 League Cup Rochdale 1-3 Stoke
Apr 1927 Div 3 (north) Rochdale 4-0 Stoke
Nov 1926 Div 3 (north) Stoke 3-1 Rochdale

Keeping it simple tonight with a win bet on Stoke at around 4/6 with Star Sports.

RECOMMENDED BETS (scale of 1-50 points)

BACK STOKE for 10 points at around 4/6 with Star Sports

RETURN SINCE START OF WORLD CUP: PROFIT 54.77 POINTS

What’s your view? CALL STAR SPORTS 08000 521 321