Without a single win yet this season, Mark Hughes realizes that he really needs to get Stoke City on track in a hurry if he wants to avoid being sacked, especially with so many top flight Premier League caliber managers out there looking for jobs. The realist though, will recognize the fact that the battle for the Potters on Match Day 7 is an immense one on the road against Manchester United.
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Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
Manchester United -345
Stoke City +1000
Draw +475
Over/Under 3
Odds Analysis
The Red Devils are the deserving 1.5-goal favorites. Sure, they are going to have to play on Thursday in the Europa League against FC Zorya Luhansk, but we know that Jose Mourinho isn't going to be playing a senior side in that match so long as he follows the script from last week's loss to Feyenoord on Turkish soil.
The price on Stoke City is huge at 10 to 1, but again, it's worth repeating that it doesn't have a single victory yet in six tries this year. To get that first 'W' at Manchester United would be quite the task.
The Red Devils have 12 goals already in just six matches as a part of a very high scoring start in general in the top flight of English soccer, and that's why the total in this match is set at 3 with a slight lean towards the under with -122 vig.
Key Injuries
Keep a close eye on Luke Shaw at this point. He was sent home from training in the middle of the week with an illness, and if he isn't back with the club by Friday, we can't imagine that he's going to be available for this match, at least as a starter. We're still waiting on the return of Henrihk Mkhitaryan, a man who has been listed as questionable for three weeks at this point. Phil Jones is down for a month with a knee injury.
Stoke's problems are massive right now on the injury front, and this is why Hughes is getting a bit of a pass. He's got a major goaltending situation on his hands with both first-team choice Jack Butland and second-team choice Jakob Haugaard out with injuries, and with Stephen Ireland still yet to return from a broken leg from 16 months ago and Jonathan Walters yet to overcome an ankle knock, there are problems to go around for sure.
Recent Form
The results have been really grim for Stoke thus far, and there's a real sense at the grounds of Bet365 Stadium that relegation might be imminent this year. The Potters have yet to play against any of the big boys on the road, and their two shots at taking points from the top clubs at home resulted in a 4-1 loss to Manchester City and a 4-0 defeat against Tottenham.
United hasn't taken its cup matches seriously thus far this year, and that's alright with us. Mourinho realizes that the Premier League is where it's at for the Red Devils, and the team responded to a shocking 3-1 loss at Watford two weeks ago with a resounding 4-1 win against Leicester City last week.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
There's just too much talent here for Manchester United. Wayne Rooney is being pressed at the top of the formation by some of the younger strikers, and that's really bringing out the best competition for goals at the highest level.
Toss in the fact that 40-year old Shay Given is still out there trying his best to defend the pipes, and the makings are there for this to be a runaway early for the hosts.
Barclays Premier League Odds: Manchester United 3, Stoke City 0
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