English Premier
2011-08-14 - West Bromwich Albion vs Manchester United
A Sports Betting Pick by Cruiser
Match Preview :
The Red Devils will be looking for a positive start to their title defence with a trip to West Bromwich Albion and sitting at the helm will be Manager Roy Hodgson who had a spell as Liverpool manager last season before he was dismissed and Kenny Dalglish brought in. Sir Alex Ferguson will be looking to claim their 20th title this season and it has to be said that it was their home form which gave them the title last season.
Last season they had a slow start as they only managed to pick up 14 points from their eight opening matches. However since then there are many players who have been brought in the likes of David De Gea, Ashley Young and Phil Jones, while 15 players have exited Old Trafford either permanently or on loan, including the retired Edwin van Der Sar and Paul Scholes.
However it will not be easy against Roy Hodgson's West Brom who guided them to safety last season and since he took over in February he made his side very hard to beat. Hodgson brought in the likes of Gareth McAuley, Billy Jones, Zoltan Gera, Ben Foster, Marton Fulop and Shane Long.
Team News :
New West Brom signing Gera will miss the first three games of this season after he received a straight red card as a Fulham player against Arsenal at the end of last season.
Peter Odemwingie, who was their top scorer last season is a doubt with an ankle injury picked up in pre-season, together with Youssouf Mulumbu with an abdominal problem.
Steven Reid is a major doubt after sustaining a grade one calf tear almost a fortnight ago, but Paul Scharner is expected to recover from an Achilles twinge which was the reason he missed the friendly with Parma.
For the Red Devils, Patrice Evra is a major doubt after the full-back was forced out of last week's Community Shield win over Manchester City with a knee injury and he was also not included in the midweek's friendly International with France.
That means we will liekly see Fabio or Jonny Evans stepping into his shoes. Darren Fletcher (virus) and Antonio Valencia will only play for the reserves on Monday, while Javier Hernandez misses out for another two weeks with concussion.
De Gea should keep his place in goal despite conceding two in the Community Shield, while Nani has been guaranteed a start after his man-of-the-match performance in the charity shield.
Possible lineups for :
West Brom : Foster, Ollson, Shorey, McAuley, Scharner, Morrison, Brunt, Tchoyi, Mulumbu, Odemwingie, Long.
Man Utd : De Gea, Fabio, Vidic, Ferdinand, Smalling, Anderson, Carrick, Nani, Young, Rooney, Berbatov.
Last 6 matches (last season):
West Brom: LDWLWD
Man Utd: DWLWDW
Predictions :
The fact that West Brom have yet to win in their opening match of the Premiership in the last five seasons - so far managing 3 draws and 2 defeats - means it will be a very difficult task for them to pull off a shock result here.
The smart money will have to go for Manchester United for the win here.
Cheers and good luck,
Cruiser
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
West Brom 0-2 Manchester United
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take Manchester United to win.
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
Main Bet :
Take Manchester United -1 AH
Take Manchester United -1 AH
