Can Manchester United trim City’s imposing lead at the top of the table with a win over Stoke, at 8pm on Sky Sports?

With Man City suffering their first Premier League defeat of the season, a slight crack in a previously shut door has appeared, one Man United is best situated to exploit. Admittedly, even if Jose Mourinho and co. do manage to reduce City’s lead from 15 to 12 points the blue side of Manchester likely still have the league all sewn up – yet, if 2nd place United can’t wring an opportunity from this wobble than who can?



It’s been a middling month or so for Man United, with the high of December’s win against Arsenal countered by a loss against Man City, draws against Leicester, Burnley and Southampton, and an EFL Cup exit at the hands of Bristol. Things have been better in 2018, though they haven’t really been tested, with 2-0 league and FA Cup victories over Everton and Derby respectively.

During that period Romelu Lukaku showed signs of stirring from his goalless slumber, though he has regularly been outperformed by Jesse Lingard. The English midfielder now has 11 goals in all competitions to the Belgian’s 15, but trails the latter’s Super Mega PGM at 35-41 to 61-71.

As for Stoke, Monday’s game will be the first and last under caretaker Eddie Niedzwiecki following the appointment of former Aston Villa and Norwich coach Paul Lambert as their replacement for Mark Hughes (but only after missing out on top choices Martin O’Neill, Gary Rowett and Quique Sanchez Flores).

Though they may currently be stuck in 18th, there is still a huge chance Stoke will stay up this season. That’s less of a comment on the their sense of self-preservation, however, and more on the fact that the relegation battle is so widespread that only 7 points separates the Potters and 9th place Everton. In fact, a win on Monday would see Stoke swap places with Southampton, who have gradually become Championship-candidates by failing to pick up a win since 26th November.

While getting a result at Old Trafford is always an imposing task, Stoke should take some comfort from the fact that the last time they faced Man United they managed to hold onto a 2-2 draw. Granted the odds are stacked against them, with Spreadex offering a hefty Man United/Stoke Goal Supremacy spread of 2-2.2 alongside a Total Goals spread of 3.2-3.4.