Manchester United v Stoke betting will see the Red Devils trying to keep up the pressure on leaders Man City in the Premier League by not falling further behind. United need to pick up the pieces of seeing yet more silverware slip through their fingers as they crashed out of the FA Cup fourth round against Liverpool on the weekend. Now all that is left for Sir Alex Ferguson is the defence of the Premier League title and the Europa League, which probably won’t draw too great of an interest from the club. So, going into Tuesday’s round of matches trailing leaders Man City by three points, United will look to bank on their usually reliable home form for previous points. After the home slip up against struggling Blackburn at the end of December, United knocked out a win against Bolton at Old Trafford in mid January, restoring a bit of order there. Despite losing back to back games, as United lost at Newcastle following the Blackburn defeat in the league, they are still well in touch for the top of the pile. Following those two reverses, United hit back with the Bolton win and then turned in a late winner against Arsenal at the Emirates to score an important three points there in their previous league match. Danny Welbeck’s late goal there was a crucial one to keep them on the tails of Manchester City, especially now as the injury list is really growing at Old Trafford. Nani will be sitting out the match against Stoke, while Wayne Rooney and youngster Phil Jones are doubts to make the match. It hasn’t been a period of total convincing play from United of late, although they dominated possession and the game against Liverpool, again it was big lapses in defence, which is lacking the control of Nemanja Vidic, which let them down. The centre half pairing is where United are struggling at the moment, and they can be got at, and Stoke could just have the right tools to undo the United back line again and put pressure on the under fire David de Gea in the United goal. United have conceded seven goals in their last four Premier League matches, so the openings are there. Rio Ferdinand looks set to drop back into the starting line up for this one. If United drop points and City pull out a six point lead, recovery will be tough.
Manchester United v Stoke betting will probably lean towards the home side, but Stoke are a team in decent shape at the moment. After a sticky patch through October and November last year, to his credit, Tony Pulis has gotten Stoke back doing what they do best. Battling hard physically and being a tough side to beat. They wins have dried up a little bit, with just one in their last six, but there have been three drawn matches in there as well. What Stoke can throw at United is their big strong aerial presence in the box, which could very well unsettle a very unsettled United back line. That will be Stoke’s best offence but the away goals have struggled to come for Stoke on the road this year, scoring just eight so far. They are actually in pretty decent away from, winning three, drawing one and losing one of their last five away match in the Premier League, so they will be hoping for at least a point at Old Trafford. The trouble is, they have not got a great record at Old Trafford, as the Potters have not won there since way back in the mid seventies. Stoke should give a good battle, and they are still chugging along in the FA Cup and in the Europa League as well, but that is a lot of games having been played and they need an extra spark. Matthew Ethertington may miss the match, and that will be a big blow for Stoke getting forward. But they have the aerial power of Peter Crouch to aim for and he should be able to earn Stoke some spoils in the box against the United back line. If Stoke were in better winning form, instead of drawing matches, then this may be predicted as being a lot closer. It should be a tough, physical close encounter as it is, and after the long battle at Anfield against Liverpool in the FA Cup and coming up empty handed, there could be a window of opportunity for Stoke here. A point would be a mighty big reward for the Potters.
Manchester United v Stoke betting odds
Man Utd to win: 3/10 at Bet365
Draw: 9/2 at SkyBet
Stoke: 12/1 at Stan James
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