Stoke entertain Manchester United on Sunday afternoon  who will be looking to bounce back from their derby day defeat by coming away from The Britannia Stadium with all three points.

Since Stoke gained promotion in 2008 they have met The Red Devils in the league on nine occasions, losing eight and drawing the once. Given their poor head to head record and current dire form, I can’t see them getting anything from this encounter. They have won just one in 12, taking five points in that process and in that time they have failed to score in seven of those matches highlighting where their Achilles heel lies.

Before the city result United had won their last six matches all too nil. Given their previous form against The Potters, they have shown they are more than capable of dealing with their style of play and have also beaten Stoke to nil on five times occasions.  All that points towards our first pick – United to win to Nil @ 13/8 with Skybet.

Robin Van Persie seems to have lost his scoring boots as of late as the Dutchman hasn’t scored a goal with his boots since 10^th February. He’s had numerous opportunities to do so that’s not the problem; it’s just that they don’t seem to be finding their way into the onion bag. When boot shooters are in that kind of form what they need is too face a team they have managed to bag against regularly in the past, a team whose defence opens up for them like a blooming flower, ready to be pollenated by a busy bee and Stoke are that flower and RVP is that bee. In the six games he has played against Stoke RVP has managed to score on seven occasions although interestingly never first. RVP/United in the Score/Win double market is a favourable 7/4 @ William Hill.

Finally we’ll delve into the Man of the Match market where we have a player who has been awarded the MOTM in three of his last six matches on Sky Sports and that man is Michael Carrick. Opinion is divided amongst many reds, indeed football fans, as to whether Carrick is any good at the game we call association football. The fact is he wouldn’t have been at United for over seven years if he wasn’t and has been one of United’s best players this season. He’s been awarded MOTM against Sunderland (away), Liverpool (home) and Spurs (away,) a variety of teams who play in different styles. In a game where United will be afforded plenty of possession, his range of passing will be key in trying to unlock the Stoke defence and at 12/1 with BetVictor, that price can’t be ignored.

Stoke vs Man Utd Betting Tips

United to win to Nil: 13/8 @ Sky Bet

Van Persie/United in Score/Win Double market:  7/4 @ William Hill

Carrick MOTM:  12/1 @ Bet Victor

Open a new William Hill account today and bet £25, win or lose you will get a free £25 credited to your William Hill account.

*CLAIM YOUR FREE £25 HERE*