Stoke City will be looking to avoid the upset when they face Sheffield Wednesday in the quarter-finals of the Capital One Cup on Tuesday. The Potters will have to be wary of the Owls, who have already beaten Premier League sides to get this far in the competition. The two sides have last met in the 2007-2008 season, when both clubs were in the Championship. The Owls have won two of the last three matches at the Britannia Stadium and they also lead the overall head-to-head record with 37 wins compared to Stoke's 32.
Stoke City have reached the last eight of the League Cup two times in the last ten seasons, but never managed to push through to the semi-finals. In 2008 they got beaten at home by Derby County and in 2013 they were defeated 2-0 by Manchester United. Stoke have beaten Luton Town, Fulham and Chelsea to reach the quarter-finals, with two of those victories coming after the penalty shootout. Last weekend they lost 2-0 to Sunderland in the Premier League, a poor result for the Potters even though captain Ryan Shawcross was sent off on 47 minutes. The defender will be banned for Tuesday's match while Shay Given and Marc Muniesa are unavailable through injury.
Sheffield Wednesday are currently eighth in the Championship table after 18 games and they are targeting a promotion playoff spot. They have lost just four league matches so far this season and have pulled off two major upsets in the Capital One Cup by beating Newcastle 1-0 and Arsenal 3-0. They have lost just one of their last fourteen matches in all competitions, but have only won one of the last four away from home. Sam Hutchinson will be available again for the visitors after having served a suspension.
Probable line-ups:
Stoke City: Butland - Bardsley, Wollscheid, Wilson, Pieters - Sidwell, Cameron - Odemwingie, Ireland, Afellay - Crouch
Sheffield Wednesday: Wildsmith - Palmer, Lees, Loovens, Pudil - Sougou, Lee, Semedo, Helan - Forestieri, Nuhiu
My prediction: 1-1 draw (after 90 minutes)
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Stoke win - 1.83 Draw - 3.75 Sheff Wed win - 4.75
GREGJO
8 years ago
Stoke are a really dangerous team and a tough side to beat at home. They surely know this competition is their only real chance to win a trophy in the current season. They have a strong mid-table position in the Premier League (12th with 19 points) so they are not worried about relegation. Sheffield Wednesday played very...
Stoke are a really dangerous team and a tough side to beat at home. They surely know this competition is their only real chance to win a trophy in the current season. They have a strong mid-table position in the Premier League (12th with 19 points) so they are not worried about relegation. Sheffield Wednesday played very well last round when they knocked out Arsenal easily at home (3:0) and they have already beaten two Premier League teams in this competition (Newcastle and Arsenal), but I think their run will end today. Stoke have a quality squad and they have enough good players on the bench to replace the rested players. The Potters have a good record with lower league opponents: nine wins from ten meetings. Mark Hughes' side will fancy their chances of getting to Wembley if they get through this and avoid Manchester City in the semi-finals. I think under 2,5 goals is the best pick on this match but I almost sure Stoke will qualify to the next round as well. My correct score prediction is: 1-0.
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sharpe
8 years ago
Stoke probably didn't have to worry for their spot in the PL this season that's why they could concentrate on the CO cup performance. They are really strong home side so will be a tough game for Wednesday I think. Sheffield team is a big name in the English football and such a teams never have to be underestimated, they...
Stoke probably didn't have to worry for their spot in the PL this season that's why they could concentrate on the CO cup performance. They are really strong home side so will be a tough game for Wednesday I think. Sheffield team is a big name in the English football and such a teams never have to be underestimated, they still have some chances for a good performance in the Championship but no doubt that they will ambitious here as well. Johnny's prediction is a reasonable I think.
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