English Premier
2011-12-31 - Manchester United vs Blackburn Rovers
A Sports Betting Pick by Lamps
Football : England : Premiership
Saturday 31st December - Kickoff 12:45pm
Man United
4 wins out of 4 and 7 in their last 8 has propelled United back to the top of the table. Rivals City remain top on goal difference but for me it's United who has the momentum at the moment. On Saturday they can open up a 3 point lead as City face Sunderland the next day and really put the pressure on their Manchester rivals.
Ferguson must be delighted getting Wigan and then Blackburn at home over the Xmas period as so often titles can be lost and won over this period. Getting 2 games against relegation candidates is the perfect set of games to get some points on the board. Still, Liverpool hosted Rovers at home on Boxing Day and they drew 1-1 so there is no easy game in this league.
United has scored 16 goals in their last 4 games at an average of 4 a game! Rovers are awful at the back and I'm sure United will get at least a couple this Saturday.
What is impressive is that the side isn't relying on one player, Rooney for example has 4 of these goals but 7 other players have contributed for the other 12 goals. When United were winning 1-0 critics falsely started to write them off but all of a sudden they are scoring goals for fun and it could be a long day for Kean's side at the weekend.
Man United Team News
Cleverley, Fabio da Silva, Ferdinand, Fletcher, Anderson, Owen, Vidic and Young are missing for United whilst new doubts hang over Evans, Jones and Smalling.
United's injury count is getting ridiculous and they are likely to field Valencia at right back this Saturday. Jones and Smalling both suffering with flu will start in the middle with Evra the only fully fit defender.
Up top Rooney starts with Hernandez which may be harsh on Berbatov but with games coming thick and fast, Fergy is likely to rotate his strikers.
Middle of the park will see Carrick and Gibson starting with Nani one side and with Young out Park gets another game on the other wing. Regardless of all the absentees United's side is a strong one and this should be a home win.
Blackburn
Despite Blackburn's impressive draw at Anfield on Boxing Day the gap from safety is 4 points. That may not sound a lot but if Blackburn lose at Old Trafford and results go against them they could be approaching double digits and then the alarm bells will be raised.
Facing United away after Liverpool away is the complete opposite to United's "favourable" Xmas fixtures. Before these 2 games I imagine Kean would have settled for a point and he's achieved that after their draw at Liverpool (1-1).
Overall away from home Rovers are winless but they do have more draws than defeats (5 to 4). When playing at the better sides in the league Rovers were beaten at Newcastle (3-1) and have the draw from this past Monday. With Rovers playing most of the bigger opponents at home it's hard to judge how they will cope against the United powerhouse.
When at home to Arsenal they won (4-3) but that was a wild game and Arsenal really were all over the shop at the time. They lost 4-0 at home to City, 2-1 at home to Tottenham and 1-0 at home to Chelsea so to expect them to produce some at Old Trafford looks incredibly unlikely.
Blackburn Team News
Dann, Givet, Grella, Nelsen and Olsson are missing with Robinson a doubt.
Rovers are likely to keep the same side that did so well at Liverpool. I think Kean is under too much pressure to start rotating his side as other sides do when facing United.
Yakubu will start with Formica in behind, the midfield of Dunn and N'Zonzi is ok whilst Hoilett and Rochina are very underrated players out wide.
Despite all the injuries at the back Hanley and Samba is a decent partnership with the biggest concern being to keeper Robinson. From what i've read the keeper should be ok for this one they won't want him missing given United won 5-0 last time out.
The Betting Verdict
It's no surprise to see that United has won the last 5 scoring at least 2 goals in every encounter. The aggregate scoreline over the 5 years has been 17-3 with Rovers scoring the 1 goal in 3 games.
I'm going to take a risky bet in this one given how terrible the goal line and Asian Handicap lines are. United's line is at -2.25 meaning even a 2 goal win means we lose half the stake! Xmas time is about getting it done not looking to win big so I'll stay clear.
My bet is both to score, United's back line is banged up and those who do start have been suffering from flu. United have 4 clean sheets at home in their last 10 but those were with Vidic at helm, without him this is a different side. Also the midfield is banged up in the middle and I think Rovers are relishing facing Gibson and not Jones in the center of the park.
Rovers has scored in their last 10 away games and despite getting battered in their last 5 visits here they have scored in 3 of them. Both to score at 2.40 is huge in my eyes and will give us a good run.
Good Luck
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Manchester United 3-1 Blackburn Rovers
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take Both Teams to Score at 2.40 with Bet365
