Mark Hughes and Jose Mourinho have faced each other twice as leaders of Stoke City and Manchester United respectively. The result was a 1-1 draw in both outings. Is the third time the charm for one of the two bosses to break through and achieve a victory? United are heavy favorites in this one.
Let’s take a look at the injury report, for both sides, in this upcoming clash at the Britannia Stadium.
Marcos Rojo is still a long ways from returning, but he’s now back in light training, so his rehabilitation seems to be coming along nicely. Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof have already been slated to start against FC Basel in the UEFA Champions League group stages, and will sit out this game in preparation. Smalling and Lindelof replace Eric Bailly and Phil Jones who will be serving their UEFA suspensions.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is slated for a return around the time the calendar flips to 2018, but he was still named to United’s Champions League roster this week.
Long term absentees Luke Shaw and Ashley Young have both seen action with the U23s, and are apparently ready to return.
On the flip side, over to the Stoke City injury report, former United man Darren Fletcher suffered a knee injury last week. and he is a doubt for this one. He is back in training with Stoke but could be a game day decision on Saturday.
Summer transfer window addition Eric Choupo-Moting (hamstring) is expected to be fit enough to at least be named to the team. Mame Biram Diouf is also a doubt with a knee problem.
Man United Starting XI Prediction: go to this link.
Odds: (via Paddy Power) United- 9/20, Draw- 10/3, Stoke City 6/1
Kickoff: 17:30 BST
Prediction: Manchester United 3, Stoke City 1
We predict that the winning streak continues! However, we do see the Red Devils finally conceding a goal.
As always, feel free to post your own match prediction in the comments section, and/or just opine on anything related to the game.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now and Minute Media. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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