- The odds suggest that Stoke are heavy favourites at 41/100, with Oldham 27/5 and the draw 77/20.
- Oldham have failed to win either of their last two away matches.
Stoke should be short enough at 41/100
Stoke will take all the beating in this EFL Cup clash with League Two Oldham Athletic, but the fact that Oldham play a direct, high-tempo game, means that this one could be closer than the odds indicate if the visitors can nick the opener. Stoke are certainly the favourites here, but the gap between the sides is nowhere near as wide as the market suggests.
Stoke are back on the up after two wins and a draw from their last three games in all competitions, and after back-to-back victories over Chester FC and Everton, the Potters will have a spring in their step coming into this cup tie. However, a run of two wins, two draws and six defeats from their last 10 is still fresh in the memory and there remains a lot of cup danger about Mark Robins' side.
Mark Robins has set Stoke up in a structured 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 system. The Potters will be looking to pressure the ball in a timing-based press, while the team will look to switch the point of attack quickly when they win the ball back.
Oldham will try to run into Stoke
Micky Mellon's Oldham are set up to make things happen in an entirely different way. The Latics will look to crowd the middle of the pitch from narrow compact blocks in either 3-5-2 or 4-2-3-1 shapes, before launching to create direct, high-tempo counters.
Oldham's overall form is also patchy, as their record of three wins, one draw and six defeats from their last 10 matches in all competitions suggests. They did beat Accrington Stanley 3-0 in their penultimate game, but defeats to Newport County and Bolton have stopped them from gaining any momentum since.
Potters to prevail in control vs counter clash
This is a control vs counter fixture on paper and Stoke's higher level of structure should see them control the game more than the visitors. Robins' side should have more of the ball and that should help them to dictate the pace, although Oldham will be ready to take advantage of any high line from the hosts with their own brand of lightning counters.
With that in mind, Stoke and under 3.5 goals looks an excellent play at the current odds, as the hosts should have just about enough quality to get it done, while BTTS - Yes is also a consideration at 3/4.
