Manchester United v Stoke: Mourinho's men set for easy Monday night workout

Manchester United v Stoke
Monday January 15 2018
Live on Sky Sports

Mourinho hogs headlines

Just another quiet week in the Jose Mourinho era at Old Trafford then. The Portuguese manager has spent much of it trading barbs with Chelsea's Antonio Conte while at the same time trying to hijack Manchester City's bid for Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez.

It's what happens on the pitch that matters most of course, and in that respect things are looking quite bright. After a little stumble at the end of the year that saw United drawing three top-flight games on the trot, Mourinho's men have returned to winning ways with consecutive 2-0 wins in league and cup. That last win - against Derby - saw Jesse Lingardscore his 11th of the season. The England forward is turning into the brightest spark in United's season.

Mourinho is still without the suspended Ashley Young for this game, while Eric Bailly and Zlatan Ibrahimovic remain injured.

Hughes shown exit but no replacement yet

Stoke finally called time on the Mark Hughes era after suffering defeat at the hands of Coventry City in the cup last weekend. It was a surprise it took so long. The Potters' form had been a worry all season and they twice conceded five goals on the road in December, although trips to Spurs and Chelsea are among the toughest in the Premier League. But across all competitions this season Stoke have won just six games while tasting defeat 14 times and, for a team that once prided itself on rugged *competitiveness*, it's alarming that they have conceded 47 goals in the Premier League, comfortably the worst defence in the top-flight.

As it stands, the managerial role is yet to be filled but the Betfair market is pointing towards Martin O'Neill getting the role - the Republic of Ireland manager available to back at (2.08) ahead of the 5.30 Slaven Bilic.

Barring a very swift appointmentEddie Niedzwiecki will take charge of this one and he must deal with a few injuries in defence where Ryan Shawcross is likely to miss this match.

United heavy odds-on and rightly so

No Premier League team will go off at a shorter price than United in this gameweek, and in truth it's difficult to argue with the 1.23 on offer on the Betfair Exchange. Stoke have been awful on their Premier League travels, winning just one match of 11 and beaten on seven occasions, and goal difference makes them the worst travellers in the top-flight behind West Brom. If Stoke - 17.00 to back - get anything from this game it would be an upset of momentous proportions. The draw is 7.60.

We can't tip at such short odds but there are other ways of backing a United win and turning a decent profit.

There will be goals

The goals markets are unequivocal - there will be plenty! Over 2.5 is just 1.56 to back. Given United's status as third highest scorers in the Premier League (24 of their 45 scored at home) and Stoke's terrible defending this season that all makes sense. Caretaker manager Niedzwiecki will surely adopt a safety first approach and that could mean goals come later than expected but I'm not sure I want to back Unders, even at 2.58

How to back a United win at bigger odds

No team has kept more Premier League clean sheets than United this season and I'd be surprised were Stoke's average attack to get one past David De Gea. The United win looks a near certainty so wrapping up the clean sheet with three points for Mourinho's men at even money looks a smart move to me.

Ref Watch

Anthony Taylor takes charge of this one and no referee averages more yellows than the man in black from Manchester, although in 15 matches he is yet to show a red. These are two relatively well-behaved teams, however, with Stoke nearly the cleanest team in the top-flight.