An entertaining weekend in the Premier League draws to a close with the Monday Night Football which this week comes from Old Trafford as Manchester United look to pull clear of the chasers behind them when they entertain a Stoke City side who are desperate for points.
You would have to say there is pressure on both teams here for differing reasons which might make this a little more tense and nervy than perhaps we are used to when they do battle.
Man Utd
Manchester United have only suffered three defeats all season and just one in their last 10 matches but all does not appear to be right at Old Trafford. I guess that is just down to their legacy and lofty expectations and the fact Man City are away and gone might be piling up the pressure so they could do with a win here.
You always get the feeling United are a better side when Paul Pogba is in it so they will be delighted that he is available. His powerful running from midfield could be what United need to unlock what is likely to be a tightly packed defence. Nobody have conceded fewer goals this season than the Red Devils which is something that bodes well for them.
Stoke City
A new era will begin for Stoke City in this match after Mark Hughes was fired last week. They desperately need a result for their own peace of mind more than anything else with defeat to League 2 side Coventry last weekend really highlighting their struggles at the minute. They arrive here with just one win in seven.
After the weekend results Stoke have dropped into the bottom three in the table and that is somewhere they will not want to be so the need for points is increasing. We don’t really know how they are going to set up here but it will take a brave side to turn up to Old Trafford and be open and expansive.
Team News
Manchester United will be without some big players for this match. Ashley Young is suspended while Michael Carrick, Eric Bailly and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are all injured. Antonio Valencia could return from injury.
Stoke have been decimated in defensive areas in recent times but they are hoping to have Ryan Shawcross, Bruno Martins Indi and Erik Pieters back. New signing Moritz Bauer could play a part for them.
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Betting
I expect Manchester United to win this match and given their defensive record and Stoke’s struggles at the minute the obvious bet would be for them to win without conceding. They have one of the best defensive records in the league and Newcastle are the only side who have lost at Old Trafford this season who have scored a goal.
Stoke have failed to score in four of their last six matches and given that they are likely to be pinned back for long periods and not see much of the ball I think there is a good chance they will be beaten without finding the net here.
Tips
WON – Back Man Utd to win to nil for a 4/10 stake at 2.00 with Boylesports
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