Man Utd must win to nil as Stoke almost never score at top clubs
Published:Stoke have real difficulty scoring in away games against the best opposition in the Premier League and therefore 11/10 seems outrageous value that Manchester United win to nil when they host Tony Pulis’ men this season.
Man Utd’s recent defensive troubles have been well documented, but things did seem to tighten up when triumphing 3-0 in their last Premier League game before the international break at Newcastle.
Meanwhile, Stoke regularly find scoring on their travels difficult, especially against the teams to finish a season in the top eight.
They managed just 11 goals on their travels last season and four of these came at relegated pair Blackburn and Wolves.
Looking across the last two seasons, they have drawn blanks in front of goal in 11 of 16 away games against the clubs to have finished in the top eight.
Furthermore, they have already failed to score against Liverpool and Chelsea in the current campaign and managed just a single goal in their four Premier League trips to Old Trafford.
As much difficulty as Stoke may have scoring, the defensive record of the Potters this season suggests that Manchester United may have almost the same amount of difficulty in finding the target.
Only Chelsea can better Stoke’s defensive record of five goals conceded from seven starts and they have already left Liverpool with a point and clean sheet this season.
Given Stoke’s fondness for making life difficult, some punters may fancy Stoke to rob a point or instead back them with a handicap.
Stoke are 2/7 to win with a three-goal head start, meaning that as long as lose by two goals or fewer, the bet is successful.
But punters looking for a short-price option may be better simply taking the 2/7 that Man Utd win the game.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
