The action is starting to heat up in the English Premier League as we reach Round 4 of the season. The table is slowly taking shape with Manchester United all alone on the top. Can anyone stop the Red Devils’ rampage? Is Stoke City the chosen one?
Read the analysis of our featured match as Stoke hosts the undefeated Manchester United at the Britannia Stadium this weekend.
STOKE CITY vs. MANCHESTER UNITED
3-Way: 1: Stoke City +675; X: +355 Draw; 2: Manchester United -164
Spread +1: Stoke City +110; Manchester United -112
Total +2.5: Over -109; Under +104
STOKE CITY
Stoke City finds themselves in the middle of the pack after three weekends as it has put up a win, a draw, and a loss. Despite that, this is a club that is on the rise as it has not been defeated since succumbing to Everton in the opening weekend.
The Potters have managed to score in all but one of their matches this season so far, averaging 0.67 goals per league match. After getting shut out by the Liverpool-based side, they went on to win against Arsenal with a Jesé goal at the 47th minute before settling to a 1:1 standoff against West Bromwich Albion the following weekend. They also thrashed Rochdale, 4:0, in the second round of the EFL Cup.
They are 11th on the table with four points and 0 GD, slotting behind Tottenham Hotspur, which has one more goal than it has conceded, and Burnley FC, which has scored more goals overall, but ahead of Everton and Swansea City. Their EPL form including last season goes LWLWD. A win against the league leader, Manchester United, would most likely propel them to the upper half of the table, while at the same time, create dissonance at the top.
Move aside, Peter Crouch. Even though the English beanpole has put two to the back of the net this season, one of those via header, diminutive midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri is the most talented player in Stoke, and the Swiss will be key to its hopes of securing a top half finish. Shaqiri, who counts Bayern Munich as among his former clubs, possesses tremendous shooting ability, as well as excellent technique, which makes him a handful for opponents. This is why it is no surprise that he paces his team in crosses and corners.
Joe Allen is a major component in midfield, and he has shown his scoring ability with a brace over Rochdale. Jesé has had four shots on goal in EPL matches, half of which were on target. Jack Butland, who was out for a considerable amount of time last season, is one of only five players who has logged 270 league minutes for the club.Darren Fletcher faces his old squad. He heads his current club in touches and passes in EPL fixtures. Kurt Zouma, a loanee from Chelsea, has been a big part in Stoke’s match day tactics.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Bruno Martins Indi, transfer pickups early August, have already made appearances. Kevin Wimmer, formerly of Tottenham, made it in time. Forward Joselu is now with Newcastle United, while Philipp Wollscheid went to Metz on a free.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Look at what a little dedication and will can do. José Mourinho has managed to do what predecessors David Moyes and Louis van Gaal cannot: sign big players, and more importantly, win. The last time Manchester United FC had this kind of rousing start was back in 2011-12 when they won its first five top flight matches. At the same point of where we are now, the Red Devils have scored 13 goals, courtesy of an 8:2 beat down on Arsenal. By the time their run was done, they had netted 21 goals and conceded 4.
However, no matter how many high points the club had at that time, it is worth remembering that they got humiliated by rival Manchester City thrice, none bigger than that heartbreak on the final match-week that not only gave the Citizens their first division trophy in decades but also prevented Manchester United from claiming its 20th top flight silverware. As much as this is a fairy tale beginning, this is also a story of caution.
Still, the season is far from over. And right now, Manchester United has nine points and a +10 GD; having been able to maintain a clean sheet in all three matches played, its closest pursuers having dropped points already. This weekend kicks off a tumultuous September that includes four Premier League dates plus two UEFA Champions League fixtures and a third round matchup in the Football League Cup.
However, it is not all good for MUFC as they lost the UEFA Super Cup to Real Madrid to start off the season. But once the real competition kicked in, Mourinho and his men kicked into a higher gear, handing West Ham United and Swansea City similar 4:0 scorelines while beating the 2015-16 EPL champion Leicester City, 2:0, the winning goals coming from substitutes Marcus Rashford and Marouane Fellaini. Dating back to the last season, the team’s form has been WWWWD.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan has provided five assists in his first three league matches this season. One more and he would be included in a short list that includes Thierry Henry and Cesc Fàbregas, players who had six assists in their first four matches. Romelu Lukaku has scored 16 goals and assisted two in his last 18 EPL appearances.Aside from the Belgian, Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial has scored multiple times in the league this season. Phil Jones and Eric Bailly have been steady forces at the back line that we have not seen Chris Smalling, Matteo Darmian, or Victor Lindelöf in action. Ander Herrera, who has been featured as a substitute once, is a warm body that adds depth to the midfield.
The recent signing of Zlatan Ibrahimović, who surprisingly was unattached at one point during the summer transfer window, was signed back by his old club, although he would not be able to suit up until he fully heals from his injury. Marcos Rojo is also sidelined with a hurt knee.
Stoke City vs. Manchester United Match Prediction
Stoke City has been undefeated in their last four PL matches against Manchester United (two wins, two draws) since losing four of its last five between 2008 and 2013. In the same vein, Mark Hughes is unbeaten in his last three Premier League meetings with Mourinho (one win, two draws).
Stoke might have the psychological advantage over Manchester United. However, this is not the same squad that they have not lost to. For a rejuvenated side as Man Utd is, this should be an easy call. Sure, it might be hard to keep on winning, but the club has had longer streaks than this. The effects of its heavy workload this month would not be felt until the middle or end of September. Go with the Asian Handicap in this one.
My pick: Manchester United +1 AH (-112)
