Stoke City – Manchester United (Premier League)
Stoke City and Manchester United play out this Saturday at Bet365 Stadium, in Stoke-on-Trent, for the 4th round of the Premier League. After an unwanted starting of the campaign, losing the 1st round, Stoke quickly straightened and avoided defeat in the remaining two games, beating Arsenal in one of those matches. Manchester United, on their turn, are getting a brilliant start of the season after winning their opening three matches, without conceding a single goal in the process. This will be a big test for Jose Mourinho’s side.
Stoke City are 11th placed in the league table with 4 points, result of 1 win, 1 draw and 1 defeat, with 2 goals scored and 2 goals conceded. After a poor start of the season, losing at home by 0-1 against Everton, Stoke were able to win by 1-0 in their home ground against Arsenal, which was followed by a 1-1 draw in the last round at West Bromwich’s home. Stoke also qualified to the 3rd round of the EFL Cup after beating Rochdale.
The Potters have shown a good defensive capacity, they are strong in protecting the lead and are dominants in aerial duels. However, Stoke’s style of lay has been largely based on long passes and crosses, and are having difficulties in keeping possession of the ball, as well as they are showing weaknesses in finishing scoring chances. The home factor is a positive factor for them in this reception to a powerful Manchester United, since the Potters have not lost any of the previous 4 matches against Manchester United at the Bet365 Stadium.
In their 4 official games played this season, Stoke City has a record of 2 wins, 1 draw and 1 defeat. This sequence of results started with 1-0 defeat against Everton. It was followed by a 1-0 win against Arsenal, a 4-0 win against Rochdale, for the EFL Cup, and in their last round, a 1-1 draw against West Bromwich. Ngoy, Stephen Ireland, Shawcross and Afellay are all out due to injury.
Probable Lineup: Zouma, Indi and Wimmer – Cameron, Allen, Fletcher and Pieters – Shaqiri and Jesé – Choupo-Motig.
Manchester United, on their turn, are top of the league table with 9 points, result of 3 wins, with 10 goals scored and none conceded. José Mourinho’s side are enjoying a brilliant start of the season, winning all their opening three matches, leaving behind West Ham, Swansea City and Leicester City. Manchester United were very active in this summer transfer window, with José Mourinho hiring the players he thought were necessary and the portuguese coach prepared the team very well for this present season, where he aspires to win titles.
So far, the Red Devils have not shown any defensive gap, with the partnership between Matic and Pogba in the midfield running perfectly well, while offensively they have been an overwhelming team, showing great strength in finishing scoring chances, in creating chances through individual skill our using through balls, and can also create long shot opportunities. They also strong in attacking set pieces and in counter attacks. Lukaku is the main offensive reference, being the top scorer so far with 3 goals scored, along with Liverpool’s Sadio Mané. Mkhitaryan is the player with most assists in the Premier League, having made 5 assists in only 3 matches. The Red Devils will also play on Tuesday, against FC Basel, for the 1st round of Group A of the Champions League, but a victory in a stronghold where they haven’t won any of their previous 4 matches would be quite motivating.
In their last 4 official matches, Manchester United have a record of 3 wins and 1 loss. This sequence of results began with a 2-1 defeat against Real Madrid, for the European Super Cup. This result was followed by a 4-0 win against West Ham, a 0-4 win over Swansea City, and in the last round, a 2-0 win against Leicester City. Marco Rojo and Ibrahimovic are out due to injury, while Ashley Young and Luke Shaw are also absences, still recovering after their injuries.
Probable Lineup: Gea – Valencia, Bailly, Jones and Blind – Matic and Pogba – Mata, Mkhitaryan and Rashford – Lukaku.
Everton have won 2 of the last eight direct clashes, with Manchester United winning 3 and drawing the remaining 3.
| Stoke City | 1-1 | Manchester United |
Premier League 2016/17
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| Manchester United | 1-1 | Stoke City |
Premier League 2016/17
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| Manchester United | 3-0 | Stoke City |
Premier League 2015/16
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| Stoke City | 2-0 | Manchester United |
Premier League 2015/16
|
| Stoke City | 1-1 | Manchester United |
Premier League 2014/15
|
| Manchester United | 2-1 | Stoke City |
Premier League 2014/15
|
| Stoke City | 2-1 | Manchester United |
Premier League 2013/14
|
|
Stoke City
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0-2 |
Manchester United |
Capital One Cup 2013/14
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Manchester United come here as favorite to win this match, facing a Stoke City that has shown little firepower. This should be an intense match, with the Red Devils having the quality to take the 3 points home, in a match that should have few goals.
