Preview: Manchester United vs Stoke City
Manchester United scored a hard-fought win against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday when Javier Hernandez came on to score the much needed winner. The Red Devils will be looking to extend their lead at the top when they host Stoke
City on Tuesday.
Manchester United have not been at their best this season while playing away from home, and the win against West Brom was just their second away win this season. The league leaders return to Old Trafford after two away games to
take on the Potters.
Manchester United may have suffered in away games, but they been remarkable at home. The Red Devils have so far dropped just two points at Old Trafford this season, getting 28 out of 30 possible points – that is five points better
than defending champions http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786. If Manchester United manage to win Tuesday’s match, they will be five points ahead of Arsenal and three ahead of Manchester City. Arsenal have played one game more than United, and City have played two games more.
If United win, it will be their sixth consecutive win against Stoke. The last match in which the two teams met, last October, had a number of similarities to United’s recent game against West Brom. United took the lead in that
game just as they did against the Baggies, followed by http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gary-Neville-c14447 getting lucky not to be sent off the field, and then an equalizer from the home team – and last but not least, it was Hernandez who came on as a sub to score the winner in both games.
Whenever Manchester United have visited Stoke City, they have never had it easy. However, it has always been a completely different story when the Potters come to Old Trafford. Back in 2008, United won 5-0 in their match against
Stoke at Old Trafford, during which http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Cristiano-Ronaldo-c9629 scored two goals. Last season, United won 4-0 in another lopsided at-home match against Stoke.
Stoke are currently in good form, having beaten Everton 2-0 on New Year’s Day. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Phil-Jagielka-c29902 won the game for Stoke. The Potters are now in eighth place on the
Premier League table. Stoke have been playing well away from home since making it to the top flight. However, when one looks at their overall away form this season, it does not make for pretty reading: three wins, one draw and five defeats.
Stoke City have not been able to get many rewards against big teams in the league.
In 14 meetings against United, Chelsea, and Arsenal, the Potters managed to get points only in one game – a 2-1 win over Arsenal in the 2008-09 season.
Stoke will be glad that http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Nani-c27299 back to full fitness and may include him in the starting line-up.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Nemanja-Vidic-c27550 will resume
their partnership at the centre of the defence. Rafael de Silva will be back in his right back slot, after a less than convincing performance from Neville.
Manchester United should be easy winners in current form, but http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Tony-c35440 Pulis’ team will be eager to get their first win at Old Trafford and must be banking on their recent good run away from home.
Tags: