English Premier
2010-05-02 - Sunderland vs Manchester United
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football : England : Premier League
Sunday 2nd May 2010 - Kickoff 4pm
This game is shown live on SkySports in the UK
Sunderland
Many United fans will be looking for a 'Brucie Bonus' from their former Captain, but Steve Bruce will be hoping to push his Sunderland side to as high a finish as he can this season after flirting with a relegation scrap during the middle of the campaign.
The Black Cats are 10th in the Premier League and have an outside chance of catching Birmingham in 9th with 2 wins from their last 2 games. There is also the additional pressure of trying to steer above Stoke City, Blackburn Rovers and Fulham who are only 1 or 2 points behind Sunderland with the same amount of games left. Sunderland also have an impressive 9-7-2 record at the Stadium of Light this season, scoring 32 goals and conceding 18.
Sunderland have won 3 of their last 4 Premier League games as they make a strong end to their season. They are unbeaten in their last 9 games at the Stadium of Light, winning 4 of their last 5 there and have already recorded wins over Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Arsenal there this season.
Alan Hutton is suspended after being sent off last weekend and could be replaced by Phil Bardsley. George McCartney and Andy Reid miss out but Lee Cattermole and John Mensah are hoping to return.
Manchester United
Manchester United will most definitely have one and a half eyes on the match at Anfield that is due to finish 30 minutes before United kick off. The most hardcore of United fan will be hoping Liverpool can do United a favour and pick up a result against Chelsea which would swing the title pendulam back on United's side.
The Red Devils are 2nd in the Premier League as they look to clinch their 4th title in a row and make history on 2 fronts- being the first team to win 4 in a row as well as becoming the leading League title winners in England with 19. United are 10-3-5 away from home this season, scoring 33 goals and conceding 16 which gives them the best away defence in the League so far as well as winning the most games on the road.
United have won 3 of their last 4 games in all competitions but really feel the momentum after late wins over Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur in recent games. They have lost 1 of their last 5 away games in all competitions and have a 7-2-1 record away from home against the teams below Sunderland.
Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand were both back in training on Friday and could play a part here. Gary Neville is a doubt.
Head to Head
Sunderland have not beaten Manchester United in their last 15 League meetings since winning 2-1 at Roker Park in 1997.
Since that match, United have won 5 of 7 visits in League games to this part of the North East and have won 3 in a row including a 1-2 win here late in the season last year.
The 2 sides drew 2-2 at Old Trafford earlier this season.
Prediction
There is no way Steve Bruce gets his team to lie down for United in their last home game of the season and he would like to get a win to join the ones over Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham. Darren Bent will also look to score another against United this season to boost his own personal chances of being selected for England in the World Cup.
Manchester United's desire and will to win may be tested to the maximum if Chelsea do win at Anfield in the early game. The Red Devils have shown plenty of desire in their last 2 wins over City and Spurs, and will really have the bit between the teeth if they can move back to the top of the table with the right result at Anfield.
This game is harder to predict and I will give 2 predictions depending on the scenario at Anfield earlier in the day.
If Liverpool avoid defeat, I will pick United to come on strong in the 2nd half after a strong effort from Sunderland in the first half and pick Draw HT-Manchester United FT.
If Chelsea win at Anfield, I will pick Sunderland to avoid defeat which can be found at 3.00 or better.
The Statistics :
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Pick :
Sunderland 1-2 Manchester United
BEST BETTING TIP :
If Liverpool avoid defeat take Draw HT-Manchester United FTIf Chelsea win try Sunderland Double Chance @ 3.20 (Victor Chandler)
