Monday 15th January 2018
Manchester United v Stoke City 20:00, Sky Sports
Manchester and Stoke have to wait for all the other 18 Premier League sides to play before facing-off on Monday night.
United start the weekend in second place on 47 points, but by the time this game comes around they could easily find themselves back in third or fourth with Chelsea and Liverpool hot on their heels.
So next up for Mourhino’s men is Stoke, who have plenty of issues at the moment – most notably having sacked their manager, Mark Hughes, last week.
Some people might see this as a positive and in the past sides that have got ridden of their manager can often increase their form overnight. Players will be wanting to impress a potential new boss being one of the main theories.
Having said that, it will take a brave man to back Stoke at Old Trafford – even at 15.00 – with Man Utd as low as 1.20, with the draw 6.00.
There is hope for Potters fans though as they drew 2-2 with United earlier this season, while this repeat fixture last term ended 1-1.
In fact, the last three clashes have ended in draws and with United having drawn 3 of their last 4 league games – including their last 2 at home – then this wouldn’t be the worst shout in the world.
Teams that come to Old Trafford, come here to frustrate and barring two or three sides in the league most would be happy to walk away with a point.
United have never lost at home to Stoke in the Premier League though and are currently 16 games unbeaten at home vs the Potters – Stoke last beat the Red Devils away in the league back in 1976!
4 of the last 6 head-to-heads went UNDER 2.5 GOALS, so this might appeal at 2.40, while it’s interesting that both teams have scored in 7 of the last 9 head-to-heads. Stoke have netted in 4 of their last 5 league visits to Old Trafford too so the 2.20 price on both sides scoring here looks a decent option.
However, this season United have kept a clean sheet in 8 of their 11 home league games (72%) so there is a bit of caution attached to this bet and the Potters also head into the game having scored just 1 league goal in their last three.
In terms of scorers, United’s Lukaku, with 10 league goals, will be popular, as will the in-form Lingard (7) and Martial (7), while Stoke’s Choup-Moting might be some value with 4 league goals this term and also netted twice against Untied this season.
But the call here is for UNDER 3.5 GOALS at 1.53. Yes, the brave might want to get a bit better value with the 2.40 on offer on Under 2.5 goals, but we prefer to play this safe.
As mentioned, we can expect Stoke to make life hard for United, but with the Potters also having trouble in front of goals then this further adds to confidence behind this bet. Yes, United’s class should see them through and with Stokes added off the field issues then Mourhino should be getting three points here. However, Stoke have drawn their last three against United so will head into the game with no fears and that is a further indication they can keep things respectable here.
BEST BET: UNDER 3.5 GOALS @1.53
====================================================
Monday 15th January 2018
Manchester United v Stoke City 20:00, Sky Sports
- Already played this season, Stoke 2-2 Man Utd
- Last season’s repeat fixture ended, Man Utd 1-1 Stoke
- The last 3 head-to-heads ended in DRAWS
- 3 of the last 6 head-to-heads ended 1-1
- Both teams scored in 7 of the last 9 head-to-heads
- Man Utd have NEVER lost at home to Stoke in the Premier League (9 games)
- Man Utd are 16 games unbeaten at home (league) vs Stoke
- Stoke last beat Man Utd at Old Trafford in the league on 1976
- 4 of the last 6 head-to-heads went UNDER 2.5 GOALS
- Choup-Moting (Stoke) scored 2 in this season’s head-to-head
- Stoke have won just 1 of their last 7 league games
- Stoke have scored just 1 league goal in their last 3
- Man Utd have lost just 1 of their last 11 league games
- Man Utd have drawn 3 of their last 4 league games
- Man Utd have kept a clean sheet in 8 of their last 11 home league games