Premier League preview and odds: Manchester United vs Stoke City

Published on: 01/02/2016

Premier League preview and odds: Manchester United vs Stoke City

February 2, 2016 20:00pm - Old Trafford

Premier League

Manchester United are in danger of being cut adrift in the battle for the Premier League`s top four places. A win against mid-table Stoke at home on Tuesday would help to keep them in touch with the leading pack. Two wins in 10 for United

Since October, Manchester United have fallen from first place to fifth and are now in serious danger of missing out on the top four altogether. The 20-time former champions are sat in fifth place with a total of 37 points, five points adrift of fourth-ranked Spurs.

With just two wins in their last 10 league games, Louis van Gaal`s men are hardly in top form, and are visibly short on confidence. Anything other than a win against Stoke will heap even more pressure on the already-beleaguered bosss shoulders.

Stoke struggling to shake mid-table tag

After briefly tapping on the shoulders of the top five, Stoke have reassumed their familiar position in the middle of the table. Mark Hughess men have won just one of their last four, but remain just five points behind their fifth-ranked opponents.

They come into this game on the back double cup exits to Liverpool (League Cup) and Crystal Palace (FA Cup), and a 3-0 league defeat away to Leicester City.

Team news

The home side are nursing several injured players including Ashley Young, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Nick Powell, Phil Jones, Marcus Rojo, Antonio Valencia and Luke Shaw.

Meanwhile, the visitors have injury issues of their own with Marc Wilson, Charlie Adam, Marko Arnoutovic and Geoff Cameron all absent.

Recent form (League)

Manchester United: LWDWD

Stoke City: LDWLW

Betting odds and tips

United have recorded just one win in their last five home games and Stoke have managed one win in their last five away fixtures. These side could well cancel each other out.

You can back the Draw at 11/4 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 01/02/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (01/02/2016 18:20:36) but are subject to change.