Stoke vs Sheffield Wednesday
Stoke City have had a good run of form lately even though Saturday’s loss at Sunderland is one they’d want to forget quickly. Before that they picked up impressive wins away to Southampton and at home to Chelsea as well as knocking Chelsea out of the League Cup. Tonight they face Championship side Sheffield Wednesday in the quarter finals of the same competition, fully focused on progressing to the semis. City boss Mark Hughes insists they will not underestimate their opponents, while admitting a home game to Wednesday was what he was hoping before the draw. Hughes knows this is one of the competitions his side can actually go all the way in and he’s not likely to rotate on too many positions. He will however be without skipper Ryan Shawcross, who is suspended. Jack Butland will start in goal ahead of Shay Given and Ibrahim Afellay is likely to start in one of the attacking positions.
Sheffield Wednesday have come to life under new coach Carlos Carvalhal. The Portuguese, who took the reins in the summer, has guided Wednesday to a respectable 8th place in the Championship with realistic hopes of actually clinching a playoff spot. They have also knocked both Newcastle and Arsenal out of the League Cup, which means they probably won’t be underestimated in this competition going forward. Carvalhal will, unlike Hughes, rotate on several positions in his starting eleven. Michael Turner, Vincent Sasso, Barry Bannan, Marco Matias, Fernando Forestieri and first choice goalkeeper Keiren Westwood haven’t even been called to the squad. Carvalhal will instead give 19-year old Joseph Wildsmith a chance to shine in goal.
While Sheffiield Wednesday are more focusing on the league, Stoke really want to claim a trophy this year. This will be their one and only chance to do so.
Date & Time: 1 Dec 2015 – 20.45 CET
League: Capital One Cup (England)
Match: Stoke – Sheffield Wednesday
Pick: Stoke to win
Odds: 1.75 @ bet365
Highest Odds: 1.75 @ bet365
Stake: 15 EUR
Rating: 1/5
Result: 2-0, bet won!
