Team News
Manchester United will play Stoke City without Nemanja Vidic and Phil Jones. The two defenders are still out with injury. The fitness of Chris Smalling and Ashley Young is in doubt but both could make an appearance against the Potters.
Robin van Persie is likely to lead the attack alongside Wayne Rooney. Shinji Kagawa and Danny Welbeck are also available and could complete a rather attacking formation.
For Stoke City, Tony Pulis might name the same starting XI for the fourth consecutive time. In the absence of Mamady Sidibe, Peter Crouch will probably be deployed as a lone striker with a five-man midfield behind him.
Analysis
Manchester United have a crucial game in the UEFA Champions League next Tuesday. They will host Portuguese underdogs Sporting Braga. Alex Ferguson may demand an improved performance for his squad after last time’s unconvincing victory over Romanian club Cluj.
That said, the Red Devils will be after a win over Stoke City but they will certainly try to avoid getting too physical so as to avoid injuries. By the time Man United kick a ball at Old Trafford this Sunday, they could find themselves seven points behind English Premier League leaders Chelsea.
Expect Alex Ferguson to get his players fired up and keep up their chase for the top spot in the table. Meanwhile, Stoke City share the title with Arsenal as the team with the fewer amounts of goals conceded. The problem with Tony Pulis’ men is that they keep stumbling to draws.
Defeating giants Manchester United away from home would be a great way for Stoke to lift up their spirit. How probable is such an achievement?
Head-to-head – Last five meetings
May 9, 2010: Manchester United 4-0 Stoke City
October 24, 2010: Stoke City 1-2 Manchester United
January 4, 2011: Manchester United 2-1 Stoke City
September 24, 2011: Stoke City 1-1 Manchester United
January 31, 2012: Manchester United 2-0 Stoke City
Facts
• Stoke City’s only victory in the English Premier League this season came on the Matchday when Manchester United succumbed to their only defeat so far.
• No team has drawn as many games as Stoke City (5) after 7 matches.
• Manchester United (17) have scored the most number of goals – a couple more than Chelsea, Manchester City and Fulham.
Prediction
Manchester United will dominate the match and eventually get all three points.
Result: Manchester United 2-1 Stoke City
