Stoke – Man. United

Manchester United will hope to finally connect 2 consecutive wins after last doing so in late December. The Devils have a good chance for that, as they meet a totally out of rhythm Stoke team.

United (7th place) has been really streaky this season, alternating strings of bad form with periods of excellent results. In January United`s form has been poor, but this was also because of a lengthly injury list, which included both Rooney and Van Persie. Now both of them are back, and Moyes also has Juan Mata at his disposal, so results should quickly improve. Last round Manchester United routed Cardiff 2-0 in an easy home win.

Stoke (16th place) is in a very bad spot right now, just 3 points ahead of the relegation zone. After playing decent football in the first part of the season, Mark Hughes` side has gained a single point in the last 6 rounds, a timespan which saw them lose heavily a couple of times. Stoke has also lost the last 4 matches played in all competitions. However, their form seemed to improve a bit lately, at least on the defensive end, with the last three defeats (away at Crystal Palace, Chelsea and Sunderland) both coming with a narrow 1-0 scoreline.

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Team news & lineups

United is finally healthy again, as Ferdinand, Vidic and Nani are the only absentees for David Moyes. Carrick is questionable. N’Zonzi, Etherington, Huth and Wilkinson will miss the game for Stoke City.

Stoke City: Begovic – Cameron, Shawcross, Wilson, Pieters – Walters, Adam, Guidetti, Ireland, Arnautovic – Crouch.

Manchester United: De Gea – Rafael, Smalling, Evans, Evra – Jones, Fletcher – Valencia, Mata, Rooney – Van Persie.

Pick Manchester United to win this one. Stoke was simply impotent in front of goal in the last three matches, failing to score a single goal, and they should again have a tough time creating chances against an improving, superior side like United. On the other hand, the visitors’ attacking line with Rooney, van Persie and Mata looks stellar, and you have to expect them to produce some quality goal threats. The win is absolutely mandatory for United, everybody knows it, and I doubt a healthy Manchester side will let the opportunity slip away against a team with so many problems like Stoke. The Devils were playing brilliant football in late November and December before all those injuries, so they proved they are still capable to produce world class football. The hosts are good at home, that`s a fact, but it`s not enough to erase their horrible form and sterile offense. United already defeated Stoke twice this season: 3-2 at home in the League and 2-0 on the road in the League Cup.

My tip is Manchester United to cover the 0,75 asian handicap. A 1 goal win would still make this a half winning bet, but my belief is that the Devils will win by two or more. Prediction: Stoke City – Manchester United 0-2.

Pick: Manchester United (-0,75 Asian Handicap)
Odds: 1.75 @ Pinnacle
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 6
Event date: 1 February