Pundits predict a nail-bitting affair as Stoke City take on Brighton at the bet365 Stadium needing a victory
The Potters are in the Premier League relegation zone following their 2-1 defeat at Bournemouth last week
Keith Wales
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The pundits are split on the outcome of tomorrow's crunch game between Stoke City and Brighton… but none of them see the Potters losing.
The worst it gets for Stoke is the 1-1 draw predicted by the BBC's Mark Lawrenson, and while not the result that Potters fans will want to see it would be better than nothing.
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However, Sky Sport's Paul Merson is tipping Stoke to go one better than their "bad result" in drawing with Watford in their last home outing. The ex-Arsenal man is backing the Potters to come out 2-1 winners at the bet365 Stadium.
It is a similar story for the Metro's Michael Owen, who reckons his old club will sneak a 1-0 victory over the Seagulls.
Glenn Murray scores Brighton's first goal against West Ham at the Amex Stadium. (Image: Glyn Kirk)
Lawrenson, the former Liverpool defender, tells the BBC: "Brighton's win over West Ham last week was a massive result for them and lifted them out of the bottom six - they are 13th now, three points above the relegation zone.
"Stoke are still in the thick of it, though, following their defeat against Bournemouth after leading 1-0 and having enough chances in the first half to put the game out of reach.
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"Brighton are still short of goals away from home – they have managed only one in their past seven league games on the road – but I am not quite sure how much of a threat Stoke will pose either, especially if 37-year-old Peter Crouch is leading the line.
"The Seagulls usually come and sit when they play away from home, and they are even more likely to do that here and say 'we will take a point now' after beating the Hammers, so I'm going for 1-1."
Kurt Zouma leaps for a high ball as Stoke City draw 0-0 with Watford. (Image: Leanne Bagnall)
Merson, who traditionally looks kindly on the Potters, despite his club allegiances, tells Sky: "Stoke had a good win and then drew with Watford , and that was a bad result for me.
"People look at it and think it's not too bad, another clean sheet, but following that up with a defeat means you're back in a bit of trouble. It was a bad result for Stoke to lose at Bournemouth.
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"Brighton struggle away from home. I thought they played well at Southampton the other week (in the FA Cup), but sat back when they went in front and I think they'll do that again at Stoke, whether they're leading or not. That's why I think it will end 2-1."
As for Owen, he says: "Brighton have only scored six times away from home in the league this season, three of those came at West Ham, and haven't scored a goal in their last four visits to Stoke.
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"I would be surprised if there were many goals in the Potteries, but suggest my old club will edge a low-scoring affair 1-0."
And with Stoke desperate for points to lift themselves out of the Premier League relegation zone, that result would certainly do for their fans.