English Premier
2011-04-23 - Manchester United vs Everton
A Sports Betting Pick by Addicted
Football : England : Premier League
Saturday, April 23rd, 2011 - Kickoff 12:45PM GMT
MANCHESTER UNITED
If Manchester United win a record 19th title, they will do so by becoming the champions with the worst Premier League away record. Not that they will care. But the fact remains that despite being atrocious on their travels, United lead the tables by 6 points with just 5 games remaining. It's very much theirs to lose.
Newcastle were solid in holding Manchester United to a draw in midweek, but that was not at Old Trafford, where the Red Devils have put all but one of their opponents to the sword. With tough games against Chelsea and Arsenal coming up, United will know they have to win all three games against Everton, Blackburn and Blackpool. Of those three games, this is arguably the toughest. Everton are in cracking form, and will have a few key players back.
The most worrying thing about midweek was that United failed to even get on the scoresheet against a very questionable Newcastle defence. This is a side that was 4-0 down by only HT against Arsenal, yet United failed to score. Could United be having mental troubles too? Surely there must be nerves, with United having slipped up so many times this season to hand chances to their rivals? That they are still in the lead says more about Chelsea and Arsenal this season.
I reckon Berbatov might just be sold in the summer for a decent price due to his goals this season. He was benched for an "illness" after failing miserably in the FA Cup match against Manchester City and Ferguson has not forgiven him. Rooney and Hernandez are the men that will lead the attack against Everton and I should also add that while Ferguson will be desperate to get a win here, he will be thinking about the very winnable Champions League semi-final tie against Schalke. Don't think that won't affect the players.
EVERTON
Everton are right on the heels of their rivals Liverpool and there is a chance this team could also qualify for the Europa League too. Motivation is in no short supply here and this team has hit form at the right time. The Toffees have won 5 of their last 8 matches and are 7th in the table.
Moyes will be without former United striker Louis Saha and Fellani. Heitinga was also injured in the last match, a 2-0 win over Blackburn Rovers, and will probably also miss out. The good news is that Arteta looks set for a return for the Blues. That will be a big boost for Everton, who have failed to score in their last 2 trips to Old Trafford. Those matches finished 3-0 and 1-0 to United.
However, Everton will be boosted by the last 2 matches these teams have contested. Admittedly both were played in Liverpool but Everton scored 3 in each match, with the games ending 3-3 and 3-1. If Everton can take away anything it is that they are more than capable of scoring more than once against the weakest United side in years. All they have to do is believe and have a fearless go at the league leaders.
BETTING VERDICT
The hopes of West and North London depend on this match, and I reckon Everton will give Manchester United one hell of a fight.
Uniteds price of 1.45 is a joke and should be ignored. I would recommend laying this on Betfair and effectively betting on Everton +0.5AH.
You can get Everton +1 for more than even money and that is my bet for this one.
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
Take Everton +1AH @ 2.10 (Pinnacle)
