Manchester United V Wolverhampton Wanderers Betting – Tuesday 15th December

Manchester United V Wolverhampton Wanderers

Tuesday 15^th December – 20:00 GMT

Manchester United

League Position: 2nd

Recent Form: LWWWL

After a disappointing and bitter result at the weekend, it’s pretty clear Santa Claus himself paid Alex Ferguson an undeserved visit when he granted Fergies wishes in the form of a home fixture with Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Red Devils succumbed to just their third defeats of the season on Saturday, but their first at Old Trafford in twelve games, but what more could you ask for to mend a few broken hearts then a home outing with an ordinary Wolves.

United crashed to just their first home defeat of the season on Saturday and in some fashion. Sir Alex Ferguson could only watch on as Villa outplayed and outfought his United side in just about every department. Fergie’s players were second best in all the 50/50′s, they were sluggish at the back, sluggish in the middle, and lethargic up front, with a bizarre and ridiculously stupid one man up front tactic deployed by a manager whose supposed to be the best ever. Wayne Rooney was so isolated up front it was unreal and he was often left to grind out chances all on his lonesome, with actual opportunities created by the team a rare sighting. 

As Man Utd crumbled in their first home defeat of the campaign, it was Wayne Rooney who came away from Old Trafford with some pride still in tact and he appeared the only player on the pitch who actually cared. When others were dwindling their thumbs, Rooney was back regaining possession in defence, charging round like a rhino. However, despite his best efforts, United just weren’t up to the cut and it was the first time this season, at home anyways, that United have look very ordinary but those sort of displays don’t come around all that often, certainly not in quick succession.

On the whole, even with that Villa defeat in mind, United have been very solid at home, with their record at Old Trafford this season standing at 6-1-1. Only two teams have walked away without any scars, one of those being Aston Villa last Saturday while the other was Sunderland, who also out battled United on the day. On both occasions, United were second best in every department but it’s their forward line which is starting to bring about concerns, especially were Rooney to fall foul to an injury over the busy festive period. Without Wayne Rooney, Man Utd would seriously struggle, as Berbatov’s second half display showed. Fortunately, Rooney is fit and raring to go, which is just as well as everyone else in the squad didn’t seem all that bothered on Saturday but they would have undoubtedly had a boot or two thrown at them in the Unite dressing room, which should have knocked some sense into them.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

League Position: 17th

Recent Form: LLLWW

Wolves were one of a select few to spring a real surprise at the weekend when they claimed the scalp of Tottenham Hotspur… at White Hart Lane. They have, though, been a very poor outfit on the whole but will that stunning victory have lifted the morale of the camp so significantly that another big performance is in the offing? From a neutrals perspective, we certainly hope so as anything short of sensational in the performance department would almost certainly see them well and truly battered against yet another top four team. 

We will start with their incredible 1-0 victory at Spurs as it was the shock of the weekend, even surpassing Villa’s defeat of Man Utd in our opinion as Wolves were looking a certainty for the drop. They did have a bit of good fortune with the goal, though, and how their goal wasn’t breached is a question us and we’re sure Harry Redknapp will be asking over the course of the wee but, however, the result is all that matters and Wolves have recorded their first shock of the season, but can they make it two on the spin, what would be the shock of the decade were they to beat United at Old Trafford.

To be perfectly honest, though, Wolves don’t have a chance in hell of beating Man Utd at Old Trafford, which is a shame as nothing would bring us more joy then some egg on the face of Alex Ferguson. However, their record against the big four this season doesn’t make for good reading – two defeats, both emphatic. The first came on their own patch in a resounding 4-1 defeat against Arsenal, while their second came away at Chelsea in a 4-0 defeat, the latter they were well and truly outplayed and outclassed.

In their game with Arsenal, Wolves weren’t all that bad up until the first goal was scored, then the Wolves defence parted like the Red Sea. However, they were dreadfully poor away at Chelsea and it really should have been a cricket score much was the huge gulf in class between the two. Both results won’t stand them in good stead ahead of this fixture, and with a trip to Anfield just over the horizon as well, the result at Tottenham was just as well as we don’t expect too many party poppers to go off around Molineux this Christmas.

Head-to-Head (Last 10):

Manchester United W: 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers W: 1 Draw: 0

These two sides have only had the pleasure of meeting twice in the Premiership, and it’s surprising to hear that Wolves are level on the win counter. It was back in the 2003/2004 season when the pair last met and it seen both sides record narrow 1-0 victories over one another.

Match Verdict: Manchester United to WIN – 1.20 SkyBet

This, despite Wolves’ heroics on Saturday at White Hart Lane, should be a comfortable set of three points for United, also despite their poor weekend result at home to Aston Villa. United have been gift-wrapped a fixture to bounce straight back from a bitter defeat against what is still a poor Wolves outfit. There really isn’t a lot else to say but anything other than a United win would be laughable, but greeted warmly in London.

Match Odds:

Manchester United – 1.20 SkyBet

Draw – 7.00 Bet365

Wolverhampton Wanderers – 21.00 Expekt.com

SoccerBetting Value Tip: Wayne Rooney 2 or More Goals – 5.50 WilliamHill