Stoke are exceeding expectations this season and they are in 12th place with 14 points from their first 12 games; these points have mainly been won at home, though and away they have a poor 0-2-4 record so far.

That does include a draw at Man Utd’s rivals Liverpool (0-0) and at Wigan last week, also 0-0; Tony Pulis has no qualms about sitting back and defending and it should be no different at Old Trafford.

Man Utd will be looking to bounce back from their defeat at Arsenal last week (1-2), but the same profligacy they showed in front of goal against Arsenal will produce the same result.

Man Utd will be given many chances to score against Stoke, but like last season, when 4 of those 6 games against the promoted sides were just 1-0 wins, they may not completely thrash Stoke; there is little value in the handicap (-2 goals) win at around evens.

12 of Man Utd’s 17 home wins last season were without conceding a goal and Stoke have scored just once in their last 4 away games; this may be tighter than most may expect, but Stoke are unlikely to pose too much of a goal-threat (if their long-throws are dealt with) and Man Utd should take the win – the win to nil at Paddy Power is low at $1.61, but offers better value than the handicap wins and can be taken with a fair amount of confidence.

BETZINE UK TIP *****

Bet: Man Utd win to nil Odds: $1.61 Stake: 8pts Bookies: Paddy Power

Match Betting Previews 15-16 November 2008 >>> Premiership: Arsenal v Aston Villa - Blackburn v Sunderland - Bolton v Liverpool - Fulham v Spurs - Man United v Stoke - Newcastle v Wigan - WBA v Chelsea - West Ham v Portsmouth - Everton v Middlesbrough - Hull v Man City La Liga: Valencia v Gijon - Atletico v Deportivo - Recreativo v Barcelona Serie A: Palermo v Inter - Milan v Chievo - Roma v Lazio Ligue 1: Lyon v Bordeaux - Rennes v Monaco Bundesliga: Leverkusen v Schalke - Hertha v Hamburg