By Tomi Rantanen
Low scoring affair at Stoke
Overachieving West Ham is travelling to Britannia Stadium to face Stoke City in what AccuScore simulation engine is predicting to be extremely low scoring and close matchup. Both of the clubs are likely to miss prolific goalscorers: Stoke will be without suspended Peter Crouch and West Ham’s Diafra Sakho is doubtful with injured shoulder.
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The Sakho-factor for West Ham has been remarkable, as the Senegalese striker has scored six goals in seven appearances for the East London club. Here’s what AccuScore simulation engine predicts if Sakho indeed will sit out the matchup today and Carlton Cole will start in his stead:
| Money Line |
Line |
Line% |
ACC% |
Goals |
| West Ham |
3.07 |
31.9% |
21.9% |
0.89 |
| Stoke City |
2.48 |
39.5% |
49.3% |
1.46 |
| Draw |
3.43 |
28.6% |
28.8% |
|
The lack of goal scoring prowess in addition to the solid defensive play of Stoke will keep the visitors’ chances low, resulting in less than one goal scored on average. The home team – even without Peter Crouch – have proven to be capable of scoring goals with the likes of Mame Diouf, Victor Moses and Charlie Adam in the lineup. However, if Sakho will be able to start for West Ham here’s what will happen:
| Money Line |
Line |
Line% |
ACC% |
Goals |
| West Ham |
3.24 |
30.2% |
16.9% |
0.70 |
| Stoke City |
2.42 |
40.5% |
56.5% |
1.52 |
| Draw |
3.35 |
29.3% |
26.6% |
|
To our surprise the scoreline seems almost the same, with the exception that Hammers are likely to score LESS goals with Sakho in the lineup than when he’s replaced by Carlton Cole. There are many factors causing this, one being the lack of possession Sakho has presented as well as more fouls commited towards Cole than the Senegalese. Whoever will start for West Ham, it is unlikely to be a goals galore.
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