English Premier
2011-02-01 - Manchester United vs Aston Villa
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football : English Premier League
Tuesday 1 February 2011 - Kickoff 8pm
Manchester United
Manchester United continue to play with fire away from home as for the second time in two games they found themselves behind at half time. Both times United managed to leave their supporters with a good feeling as they came back with 2nd half performances to win the games. Results at Old Trafford have come a little easier than on their travels this season, and I am sure the Red Devils will be glad to be home.
The team continues to lead the runners round the bend in this fascinating race for the title, but they are not clear by enough to start easing down to the line. A 5 point lead over Arsenal in 2nd was establised with a 2-3 win at Blackpool last Tuesday, but this is not the time to start dropping points with some big tests just over the horizon. United are 11-1-0 at home this season, scoring 34 goals and conceding 7, making them the top scorers at home while also holding the joint best defence.
United come into the game having won 6 of their last 7 games in all competitions, progressing through to the 5th round of the FA Cup and keeping a lead in the Premier League. They have won their last 5 games at Old Trafford since drawing with Valencia, and have conceded just 1 goal in those games. United are unbeaten in 20 games in all competitions at Old Trafford since last April.
Rafael and Rio Ferdinand should both be back in contention for United after sitting out games recently. Sir Alex Ferguson will be expecting to restore the usual back 5 for this game, but Michael Carrick is still likely to be out. Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov are most likely starters up front in place of Michael Owen and Javier Hernandez.
Aston Villa
Gerard Houllier is beginning to right the Aston Villa ship after taking them through some stormy weather over the last few months. They strengthened the squad with the signings of Darren Bent and Jean Makoun this month as Houllier looks to stamp his authority on the side.
Recent results have picked up for Villa and they have moved up the table to 13th and extended their lead over Wigan in the final relegation spot to 6 points. Overall it has been a disappointing season, although fans will be happy to see the side moving upwards after a real flirtation at the bottom. Villa are 2-3-7 away from home, scoring just 11 goals but conceding 27. The team is amongst the lowest away scorers in the League and also have the joint worst away defence.
Villa are unbeaten in their last 5 games and they have won 4 of those games, including back to back Premier League wins over Manchester City and Wigan. The team are unbeaten in their last 4 away games in all competitions, 3 of those in the Premier League, which stopped a run of 4 consecutive away defeats.
Darren Bent will be restored to the side after being ineligible for the FA Cup win over Blackburn at the weekend. Nathan Baker is suspended and Jean Makoun will need a late fitness test.
Head to Head
Aston Villa must be one of the few sides that can say they have only lost 1 of their last 5 Premier League games against United.
That run has seen 1 win apiece for the teams, with 3 of the games ending in draws.
United had beaten Aston Villa in 5 consecutive Premier League games at Old Trafford before they were stunned by a Gabriel Agbonlahor goal last season which led to a 0-1 win for the Villa.
The teams drew 2-2 at Villa Park earlier this season after United came from 2-0 down to protect their unbeaten record.
Prediction
I was leaning towards the Manchester United win on the Asian Handicap but this is a much tougher game than it was a month ago. Villa have a lot of confidence in the way they are playing and the counter attacking ability of their pacy players can really cause problems when they are away from home as they can soak up pressure the home team is applying.
Manchester United have looked imperious at home in a couple of separate games recently, but they have also had to grind out wins against the likes of Stoke City and Wolves here. They have to be careful about underestimating a Villa side that won here last season.
Gerard Houllier also used to enjoy his time as Liverpool manager against Manchester United and almost waved that magic again when his Villa side were 2-0 up earlier this season. The Frenchman has his side believing at the moment and I think they will cause problems for the United defence.
While I feel the game should end in a home win, the prices are not interesting enough for me and the handicap really could go either way. However, I really think 'Both Teams to Score' is a distinct possibility between the sides.
United are obviously very likely to score at home (I believe Aston Villa were the last time to stop that happening here at Old Trafford), while the arrival of Darren Bent gives Villa another player who has scored at Old Trafford in recent memory, along with Gabby Agbonlahor.
The Statistics :
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Pick :
Manchester United 2-1 Aston Villa
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll take 'Both Teams to Score' @ 1.91 in Various places (2 UNITS)Follow me on Twitter @DavindaAulak
