English Premier
2010-01-23 - Manchester United vs Hull City
A Sports Betting Pick by Gooner
Football: England, Premier League 2009/2010
Saturday, 23rd January 2010 - Kickoff 3pm GMT
Manchester Utd (3rd) Home : 9-1-1 27:8
Manchester United are not as strong as recent seasons, but have still been very dominant at home this season, winning 9 of 11 home matches in the league, although it has to be said that the Red Devils have managed to stumble surprisingly at times, losing 0-1 here to Aston Villa and also 0-1 to Leeds United in the FA Cup.
United have won five of the last six home games, and have scored 3 or more goals in four of those wins, while keeping a clean sheet in them all. The underlining message is that if ManYoo get on top at Old Trafford then the margin of victory is likely to blow out.
But, it takes time for this dominance to come through, even at home, and United score a lot more goals in the second half of games than they do in the opening 45 minutes. (14 of 22 matches so far)
Manchester United Team News :
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand will make his long-awaited return from a back injury against Hull. Nemanja Vidic remains sidelined with a calf complaint, but Dimitar Berbatov has recovered from a dead leg.
Doubtful : Foster (back), Macheda (hamstring)
Injured : Hargreaves (knee), O'Shea (thigh), Vidic (nerve in leg)
Hull City (18th) Away : 0-4-7 7:26
Hull City have had a series of poor results on the road this season, and have yet to grab a win, and it's unlikely to occur here despite the fact that Hull took a point away from White Hart Lane last weekend.
Hull just don't score enough goals when travelling, and have notched only seven so far in the first 11 away games, and that combined with the fact that Hull have conceded in 10 of those 11 games means that another defeat looks likely.
Hull City boss Phil Brown has spouted to the media how Hull are going to go to Old Trafford and not shut up shop- and that he'll ask his players "to play". He does talk some tosh at times, 0-0 would be fantastic.
Hull City Team News :
Kamil Zayatte's ankle injury could rule him out, while loan signing Amr Zaki is not likely to make the squad after arriving in Hull from Egyptian club Zamalek short of fitness.
Doubtful : Zaki (match fitness), Zayatte (ankle)
Injured : Ashbee (knee), Bullard (knee)
Unavailable (Africa Cup) : Cousin, Olofinjana
Head to Head
Manchester United have played Hull three times in the league so far, winning all three games including a 4-3 victory here last season.
The Betting Verdict :
So given that I think Manchester United will win this match at least 3/4 of the time, the trick is to find a winning bet that will payout at a fair value.
Taking United to win is a long term losing bet at prices of 1.17 (1/6) or so, and the asian handicap is set so high at -2.25 that it's also not something I want to chase.
The anytime scorer market looks a bust, with Rooney, Owen and Berbatov at odds-on or even money prices, and unless you think Valencia has learnt from his shocking miss at City in midweek - I can't find anything worth a bet.
The HT/FT bet is an option, espescially if you think that Hull might hold out until halftime with the X/1 priced at 5.00
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Manchester United 3-0 Hull City
BEST BETTING TIP :
Yes - MANCHESTER UNITED should win but at that price it's no bet for me.Instead i'll take a punt on the HT/FT option of DRAW/UNITED at a price of 5.00 (4/1) at Victor Chandler
