It isn't going to be a very merry Christmas for the red-clad fans in Manchester. All Manchester United fans seem to want for Christmas is a new manager. Louis van Gaal could be on his way out the door any day now, and matches like these on the road against Stoke City which initially seemed like easy wins could end up being disasters.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
Stoke City +220
Manchester United +120
Draw +220
Over/Under 2.5 (Over +115)
ODDS ANALYSIS
Manchester United has had a strange season. We'll talk about its form in a second, but with the way things are going, it was just flat out impossible to make it an odds on favorite as many would figure from a top team going against a club which could still fight with relegation this season.
Stoke City though, has a real chance to make a statement in this match against Manchester United and get to 26 points before the new year, a number which almost certainly will make it safe for yet another term. That's why it is only an underdog of +220 instead of the 4 or 5 to 1 that many would've suggested a few weeks back.
The total is low at 2.5 and -135 vig on the under.
KEY INJURIES
The Red Devils badly need something going up the wing to be able to create for lackluster strikers. Bastian Schweinsteiger is the best of the offensive threats for sure, but he's going to be serving his third straight match suspended for violent conduct early in December. Since the point that he has left the pitch, Manchester United has lost as an odds-on favorite to both Norwich City and Bournemouth.
The Potters have lost the use of veteran Peter Crouch until at least the start of the new year with a hamstring injury. That said, at least the news is good for Peter Odemwingie, who could be a huge difference maker in a match like this. The speedy Premier League vet has been battling a hamstring issue as well, but he's favored to be back in the side by Boxing Day for Mark Hughes.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"We feel deeply sorry for the fans. I think they're incredible, so we have to do better for them. Of course we're disappointed. It's another very difficult day for us, but the only thing we can do now is stick together and hope that we get the win in the next game because we need it." – Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata apologizing to the fans following a dull 2-1 loss at home to Norwich City over the weekend
RECENT FORM
You have to really go back in the history books to find the last time Manchester United lost successive matches to teams which were just promoted to the Premier League. Alas, matching 2-1 losses to Bournemouth and Norwich City is just the most recent part of the problem for the Red Devils. They've now gone six straight matches without a win in the EPL.
Stoke has had an up and down December. The Potters did beat Manchester City at home, but it drew against West Ham and was beaten at home, albeit on a controversial penalty against Crystal Palace.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
Goals are going to be at a premium here, and we wouldn't be stunned if neither side ultimately scored. Manchester United has no creativity right now, and even the Anthony Martial goal against Norwich City seemed to be a bit of an afterthought.
Stoke would be thrilled to walk out of this match with a point, especially with Crouch not ultimately available for selection.
The Britannia has been much easier to crack this year than it has in the past, but just as Chelsea was never going to improve until it got rid of Jose Mourinho, we have a feeling that at this point, Manchester United is in the same boat with van Gaal.
Stoke City 0, Manchester United 0
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