Verdict: Manchester United to win to nil
Best Odds: 4/5
Bookmaker: Bet 365
Manager-less Stoke City head to Manchester United on Monday night as they look to end their 17-match winless streak in all competitions at Old Trafford. We make our prediction on the Premier League clash.
Manchester United
After struggling to get going during the festive period, Manchester United will look keep their faint title hopes alive with victory over Stoke City. The Red Devils had endured a run of four games without a win and were knocked out of the League Cup by Bristol City but they are back to winning ways after victory in their past two matches. Jose Mourinho’s team are second in the Premier League on the same points as Chelsea and even though they will remain optimistic of winning the title, realistically it looks out of reach. Nonetheless, Manchester United should still have enough about them to beat a Stoke City side that looks destined for the drop and are on a terrible run of form. The Red Devils have just came back from a training camp in Dubai too so they should be fresh and full of energy for the clash. Additionally, Jesse Lingard has been terrific this season and has scored eight goals in the last 10 games, so backing him to net first could be a good outside bet.
Team News
Right-back Antonio Valencia could be fit to face Stoke after a recent hamstring injury but Zlatan Ibrahimovic (hamstring), Eric Bailly (ankle) and Michael Carrick (heart) remain out.
Stoke City
After just two wins in their last 12 Premier League games, Stoke have slipped into the relegation zone and are manager-less after sacking Mark Hughes last week. The onus is now on Eddie Niedzwiecki who has been in temporary charge since and he must find a way to rally his troops ahead of a daunting trip to Old Trafford. Last week’s FA Cup defeat to Coventry was a new low point of the season and it’s now three games on the bounce the Potters have tasted defeat. Stoke do actually have a good record recently against Manchester United having lost just once in their last six encounters but any result on Monday night looks highly unlikely. The Midlands team have struggled to score on their travels in the league and the fact that United have kept a clean sheet in eight of their last 11 games epitomises how difficult the match is going to be.
Team News
Stoke may have Erik Pieters and Bruno Martins Indi available after they have stepped up their recoveries from injury this week.
There could be a debut for right-back Moritz Bauer after his transfer from Rubin Kazan.
Key Factors to Consider
- United have won 25 of a poassible 27 points in home Premier League games against Stoke
- The last three league matches between the two sides have finished level
- The Red Devils have only won one of their last four games at Old Trafford (D2 L1)
- The Potters have never lost a Premier League away game on a Monday before (W3 D5)
- However, United have lost just one of their 29 Premier League games on a Monday (W21 D7)
Conclusion
Even though Manchester United haven’t had the best results of late, they are playing a Stoke City side bereft of confidence and without a manager. When you combine that with their lack of goals away from home, you can only see one winner.
Verdict: Manchester United to win to nil
Best Odds: 4/5
Bookmaker: Bet 365
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
