STAR PREVIEW: Man U v Stoke City

[dropcap]P[/dropcap]aul Lambert has today been appointed as Stoke’s new manager but conveniently (for him I guess) too soon for tonight’s trip to Man U !

Lambert will watch from the stands at Old Trafford and take over a messy situation tomorrow morning with his first match in charge a more realistic home game against Huddersfield which will be a real six-pointer.

The season started well enough for Stoke but seven defeats in the Premier League since the end of November and just two wins (both at home) have left them in a perilous state. Even a draw tonight won’t be enough to lift them out of the bottom three.

Stoke can be a tough side to break down though. Jose Mourinho hasn’t managed it so far as Man U manager with three draws from three games.

But don’t go looking for miracles from the Potters. It’s been 17 trips to Man U since their last win which came in April 1976.

Stoke’s caretaker manager Kevin Russell said: “Usually when managers go, everyone has got to look at their self.

“Not only the players, but staff from bottom to the top. Could we have done more? Could we have done better?

“So I’m sure the players are in that frame of mind and think they’ve got a point to prove. I’m sure they will be eager to try and impress.”

Man Utd v Stoke City
Premier League
20:00 Sky Sports Premier League / Sky Sports Main Event / Sky Sports Ultra HD

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD
(Maximum 10 matches)
Sep 2017 PREMIER Stoke 2-2 Man Utd
Jan 2017 PREMIER Stoke 1-1 Man Utd
Oct 2016 PREMIER Man Utd 1-1 Stoke
Feb 2016 PREMIER Man Utd 3-0 Stoke
Dec 2015 PREMIER Stoke 2-0 Man Utd
Jan 2015 PREMIER Stoke 1-1 Man Utd
Dec 2014 PREMIER Man Utd 2-1 Stoke
Feb 2014 PREMIER Stoke 2-1 Man Utd
Dec 2013 CAPITAL ONE CUP Stoke 0-2 Man Utd
Oct 2013 PREMIER Man Utd 3-2 Stoke

Man U are back in form so I would be surprised if they can’t cover -1 on the three way handicap which can be backed at around 8/13 with Star Sports.

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