This week’s Monday Night Football sees Manchester United welcome Stoke City to Old Trafford.
United are in a battle with Chelsea for what looks like the runner up spot, whilst Stoke are in the relegation zone and managerless.
Team news
Man Utd could have fullback, Antonio Valencia available after four weeks out with a hamstring injury.
Ashley Young is serving the last of a three match suspension for an incident with Southampton’s Dusan Tadic.
Eric Bailly, Michael Carrick and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are all ruled out with injury.
Stoke are hoping that Erik Pieters and Bruno Martins Indi can overcome respective hamstring and groin injuries, and feature here.
Ryan Shawcross could return after nursing a calf problem.
New signing, Moritz Bauer is in line for his debut here.
Stat Attack
- Stoke are yet to win at Old Trafford, having lost their previous nine Premier League visits but drew 1-1 on last trip in first of three consecutive draws between the sides.
- United took 28 points vs the Potters when under Sir Alex Ferguson but since his retirement in summer 2013, they have taken just 13 from eight league meetings under three different managers.
- 22 league games into this season, the Red Devils average a whole goal more per game than Stoke (2.05 vs 1.05).
Prediction
After a challenging December, United seem to fancy chasing Chelsea for runner up spot at minute.
Stoke meanwhile have taken just seven points from their last eight league games (W2, D1) and suffered a humiliating FA Cup exit at Coventry, costing Mark Hughes his job.
With likes of Kevin Wimmer, Kurt Zouma and Jese in squad, they should be doing better than they are currently.
I am expecting a reaction here against United, who drew their last two home league games.
For that reason, I can see another Old Trafford draw here.
Prediction: Manchester United 1-1 Stoke City
Jake predicts: Manchester United 2-0 Stoke City
Result: Manchester United 3-0 Stoke City