Man United

Wolves V Manchester United

Saturday, 5th February – 17:30 (GMT)
Venue: Molineux
TV Coverage: ESPN

Wolves

Following his side’s last-gasp defeat in Bolton during the week, Mick McCarthy expressed just how frustrated he was at the final whistle by claiming that he felt ‘robbed’. Daniel Sturridge latching on to a Ronald Zubar pass-back before coolly slotting past a helpless Wayne Hennessey left the Yorkshireman furious, as his side once again shot themselves straight in the foot on a night when those in close proximity all collected valuable points. And if having to see Ronald zubar on the training pitch the following day wasn’t bad enough, a quick glance at the league table would have been enough to turn the straight-talking McCarthy sick with rage – The Midlanders now rock-bottom of the Premier League and don’t even have the incentive of being able to leap out of the relegation with an unthinkable victory on Saturday.

Some are suggesting that Wednesday’s shocking defeat at Bolton was the final nail in the coffin for Wolves, who are now propping up the table and unlikely to collect too many points over the coming weeks. On Saturday, in the second LIVE clash of the day, Wolves tackle United at Molineux while the following weekend they come face-to-face with United’s closer pursuers, Arsenal, at the Emirates Stadium. Once they get past those two formidable fixtures, the list of winnable games are endless. However, by that time the gap between them and safety will have lengthened unless they produce something extraordinary against one of the aforementioned sides, which isn’t necessarily out of the question despite few actually fancying their chances.

Wolves aren’t like those around them in that they’ve had a clear preference for the high profile clashes, the meetings with the more glamorous sides, instead of bringing their A-game to the fore in the crunch clashes with those in close proximity. However, as far as this precise fixture is concerned, Wolves’ ability to give the elite clubs a run for their money doesn’t make them the forlorn hope so many believe they are to be on Saturday. Defeats to Arsenal (0-2), Chelsea (2-0) and Tottenham (3-1) were completely undeserved, while no-one should forget their stunning efforts in beating Chelsea at Molineux and Liverpool at Anfield either side of the New Year. Oh, and did we forget to mention that in the reverse meeting, back at Old Trafford, United needed a goal from Ji-Sung Park in stoppage time to down Wolves 2-1 in what turned out to be one of many hard-luck stories for the Wolves against the big hitters of the Premier League.

Mick McCarthy will be well aware of the predicament he and his team find themselves in, so he’ll have his troops fired up for Saturday’s match-up with the Premiership pacesetters. In fairness, though, rarely do we doubt their commitment to the cause. Wolves always pour their heart and soul into every match. What they are lacking in is quality at the moment, with Matt Jarvis arguably the only player with that ability to make something happen out of nothing. So we aren’t surprised to hear that the Midlanders have only plundered six goals in their last nine league games, with three of those coming in one game away at Man City, while, somewhat ironically, Ronald Zubar was the last Wolves players to score, his strike at the City of Manchester Stadium coming 185 minutes ago.

However, if you are desperate for something positive then why not take heart from Wolves’ recent upturn in form at Molineux? Granted they were spanked 3-0 by Liverpool in their last home adventure, but their recent record on home soil remains solid nonetheless, winning three of their last five league games in their own backyard, one of those being a 1-0 triumph over Chelsea as well.

Manchester United

The lead-up to this game has been dominated by Gary Neville’s decision decision to call time on a glittering career which saw him win everything under the sun as a Red Devil, with Sir Alex Ferguson determined to keep the stalwart at Old Trafford in some capacity. And while he’s never been our cup of tea, a player loved by his own but despised by virtually everyone else, even we recognise just how exceptional a servant he was for Manchester United, a player would say is the best right-back of his generation.

Right, with our half-hearted praise for Gary Neville out of the way, time to concentrate of his former employer’s next assignment, a trip to Molineux, where they’ve won on their previous two visits in the Premier League – Not to mention successive wins this season at Old Trafford in the league and in the Carling Cup, though both were by the slimmest of margins and required late strikes in order to seal the wins.

Wolves were one of many teams United made heavy-weather of beating in the first half of the season, Ji-Sung Park sparing the Red Devils’ blushes by scoring in stoppage time as Sir Alex breathed a huge sigh of relief in a match where he made several changes, named a weakened line-up and almost paid the penalty against a dogged, tenacious Wolves side who will be just as pumped up on Saturday as they were in the reverse. The difference this time being that Ferguson won’t ring the changes like he did last time, nor are United scraping through games like they were back them. The goals are flying in, heck even Wayne Rooney has relocated the goal-trail, while we could even throw in extra sprinkles by claiming that United have won two of their last three away matches in the league, which they have, although that would only lead you up the garden path as overall, Man Utd have won only three of their eleven matches away from Old Trafford this season (W3 D8 L0).

No-one can really understand why Sir Alex’s men have encountered so many problems on their travels. Even those three stand-out triumphs all came in fortuitous circumstances, requiring further late strikes against Stoke City (1-2) and Blackpool (2-3) while they needed West Brom to miss from the spot before finally edging that contest 2-1. At home they’ve been authoritative, outside of Manchester they’ve been unconvincing and vulnerable, to such an extent that even a trip to Molineux is no foregone conclusion.

One thing which will be interesting is how Wayne Rooney does at Molineux. The former Evertonian scored his first brace of the season on Tuesday night, taking his tally for the season to an underwhelming four in all competitions but crucially aiding his side in their bid to regain the Premiership crown. His two-goal haul and Nemanja Vidic’s thunderbolt effort sealed a commanding 3-1 victory over Aston Villa which maintained United’s dominate lead at the summit, which currently stands at five points. Arsenal are their nearest pursuer and they play a couple hours earlier, but whatever happens Alex Ferguson knows full well that Saturday’s fixture is a golden one, a game they can ill afford to drop a single point in if they’re to keep the bloodthirsty chasing pack off their back.

——————————————–

Recent Form (Last 5)

Wolves

Premiership: Bolton Wanderers 1-0 Wolves
FA Cup: Wolves 0-1 Stoke City
Premiership: Wolves 0-3 Liverpool
Premiership: Wolves 5-0 Doncaster Rovers
Premiership: Manchester City 4-3 Wolves

Manchester United

Premiership: Manchester United 3-1 Aston Villa
Premiership: Southampton 1-2 Manchester United
Premiership: Blackpool 2-3 Manchester United
Premiership: Manchester United 5-0 Birmingham City
Premiership: Tottenham Hotspur 0-0 Manchester United

——————————————–

2010/2011 Premiership Statistics

Wolves

League Position: 20th
Win-Draw-Lose: 6-3-15 (Home: 5-2-5)
Goal Difference: 24-42 (Home: 15-18)
Top Scorer: Sylvan Ebanks-Blake & Steven Fletcher (4)
Form: LWLLL (Home: WWLWL)

Manchester United

League Position: 1st
Win-Draw-Lose: 15-9-0 (Away: 3-8-0)
Goal Difference: 54-22 (Away: 17-14)
Top Scorer: Dimitar Berbatov (19)
Form: WDWWW (Away: DDWDW)

——————————————–

Head-to-Head (Last 5 Seasons):

2010/2011: Manchester United 2-1 Wolves

2009/2010: Wolves 0-1 Manchester United
2009/2010: Manchester United 3-0 Wolves

——————————————–

Team News

Wolves - Mick McCarthy will be delighted with news that his treatment room is no longer full to the brim with first-team personel, though Michael Kightly and Michael Manceiine remain sidelined with knee injuries. Stephen Hunt is out for around another fortnight with a calf problem. McCarthy is likely to go with two up front on Saturday, as opposed to just the one in midweek away at Bolton, so either/both Sylvan Ebanks-Blake or Steven Fletcher will be drafted in. Nenad Milijas and Jamie O’Hara are also pushing for a starting berth after both started Wednesday’s 1-0 defeat to Bolton on the bench.

Manchester United - Before Tuesday, Sir Alex Ferguson would have been forgiven for showing favourtism with Javier Hernandez over the club’s highest earner, Wayne Rooney. However, Rooney’s two-goal haul against Aston Villa during the week means he’s now a certainty to start barring injury, alongside nineteen-goal forward Dimitar Berbatov, whose lead at the top of the scoring charts was reduced to four during the week. Gary Neville won’t be involved on Saturday, nor any other match day for that matter, the United great deciding now was the perfect time to announce his retirement from football with immediate affect. Rafael should return to the squad though may not initially start; Antonio Valencia and Owen Hargreaves remain long term absentee’s.

——————————————–

Match Prediction: Manchester United to WIN – 1.45 Unibet

It’s top versus bottom at tea-time on Saturday and with their situation looking bleak, the jury is already out on whether Wolves can defy the drop for the second successive season. Meanwhile United are still there to be shot at and with their lead at the summit perhaps a little too cosy, even though the bigger the better as far as United fans are concerned, is there hope for the home side that complacency may creep into the away dressing room? After all, away from home is where the mighty Reds have looked their most vulnerable this season.

Credit to Wolves, there haven’t been too many games this season where they have been rolled over. Mick McCarthy’s charges have been competitive in virtually every fixture and could tell folk more hard-luck stories than any other top-flight club. However, while Lady Luck continues to ignore them, Wolves won’t have too many admirers as far as the punters are concerned.

United, on the other hand, have been blowing teams away of late, although they haven’t comprehensively beaten a team away from home all season. Even small-timers Blackpool pushed them to the brink of relinquishing their season-long unbeaten record at Bloomfield Road two weeks ago, so the Red Devils are by no means certainties in a fixture which, on paper at least, they should win with something to spare.

We have our doubts, as they are there in black and white, but we still can’t take our eyes away from another Manchester United victory. It will probably be another close-run thing, as Wolves are desperate for some points and will be giving absolutely everything for the cause on Saturday. However their determination to succeed isn’t likely to equate into points, so United to win this one I’m afraid.

Value Bet: Wayne Rooney First Goalscorer – 4.75 Bet365

Is he back? He’s been playing well for a little while now though without previously finding the back of the net, rarely looking like he would in actual fact. But his two-goal haul in midweek should have given him a taste for goals so I expect him to be sniffing out more goalmouth spoils on Saturday at Molineux.

Match Odds:

Wolves – 8.50 Bet365

Draw – 4.50 SportingBet

Manchester United – 1.45 Unibet

Tottenham Hotspur V Manchester United

Sunday, 16th January – 16:10 (GMT)
Venue: White Hart Lane
TV Coverage: Sky Sports HD1

Tottenham Hotspur

Almost ten years have passed us by since we were last treated to a Spurs victory over Manchester United, and in that time Tottenham have suffered a staggering 15 defeats in 19 top-flight meetings with their nemesis. It’s a disturbing statistic if you’re a Spurs fan, but Harry Redknapp has assembled such a talented squad that few would argue with our claims that Spurs have arguably never been better placed to arrest such a distressing voodoo.

Tottenham’s form shouldn’t be of concern, despite losing their most recent league fixture 2-1 away at Everton, as before that they were unbeaten in their last nine in the league while they remain without defeat on home soil in their last nine Premier League fixtures, although that doesn’t include their 100% record at White Hart Lane in the Championship, beating the likes of FC Twente, Inter Milan and Werder Bremen with something to spare.

This encounter resembles the one against Arsenal earlier in the season, when Spurs were bidding to end a dismal away run against the traditional ‘Big Four’ by beating their arch-rival at the Emirates. The majority wouldn’t go anywhere near Spurs because their record against the country’s elite was that abysmal, but it’s been an age since Tottenham were this good.

You’ll struggle to find a better left-midfielder in Europe right now than Gareth Bale, while Rafael Van Der Vaart simply hasn’t stopped scoring and although United kept him quiet in the reverse meeting back at Old Trafford, the Dutchman wasn’t anywhere near 100%. Jermaine Defoe is as clinical as they come, although not from the spot incidentally, while Luka Modric is one of the hottest midfield properties in Europe right now, a player with that ability to pick out the impossible pass, but also to implement it to perfection.

If Spurs can reduce the errors at the back, which will be difficult so long as Benoit Assou-Ekotto is at left-back, then Tottenham have every chance of celebrating a rare triumph over one of their oldest competitors, although also someone they’ve rarely had the slightest bit of rivalry with. Now that Spurs are involved in this intriguing title race, there’s a little more spice added to this fixture, which may just suit a Tottenham side who haven’t lost a single encounter with either of last season’s ‘Big Four’ on home soil since, well, er… Manchester United on September 12th, 2009.

Manchester United

You would have got long odds on United going the entire length of the season without losing a single Premier League fixture, though Bet365 have Sir Alex’s men as short as 11/1 to go the remainder of the campaign unbeaten and should they do so, you would find it hard to envisage anyone else lifting the coveted crown aloft come May 22nd. However, the likelihood of them repeating the feat Arsenal achieved back in 2003/2004 will depend on how well they perform at such venues like White Hart Lane, where they’ve not tasted defeat in nearly ten years but are unlikely to be put through their paces more vigorously by anyone else than Harry Redknapp’s Tottenham.

On the last occasion United travelled to White Hart Lane for a league clash with Spurs, the home side were tipped to give the 11-time Premier League champions a run for their money yet instead found the Red Devils too hot to handle. Sir Alex’s side will go their under the same scrutiny, probably with more doubts circling his team than ever before. Will it be a surprise? A team who have won on seven of their previous nine visits to north London to tackle Spurs. Not at all; after all, this is a United side which differs from those greats of the past in that this current crop are absolutely useless on their travels.

Few would write off Manchester United’s chance of going to remainder of the season without losing, but if Fergie doesn’t remedy his team’s away day blues then he won’t be celebrating a Premier League title, nor will the Red Devils knock Liverpool off their perch, with the two levels on 18 top-flight titles a-piece. Two wins from nine away from home simply isn’t good enough. In fact, it’s only one more than Liverpool and they’re being slammed as the biggest home-sick wimps in the land. Granted United have yet to lose on the road, but it’s still a significant Achilles heel of theirs and one which has to be resolved if they’re to maintain their stance as the Premier League pacesetters.

The media, as well as folk like us, will use their dismal record on the road this season as a reason why Sir Alex’s men should be avoided at all costs against one of the league’s up-and-coming teams in Tottenham, whom sailed into the last-16 of the Champions League and are a dark horse for the Premier League. But United’s record at White Hart Lane speaks for itself, it’s exemplary. No matter how much more difficult winning there becomes, United seemingly raise their game on each visit and more often than not tend to win with consummate ease. Few are backing them to run away with Sunday’s mouthwatering contest, though they’ll have plenty of friend in the betting rings despite their inadequate away form.
 

—————————————————————–

Last 5 Results

Tottenham Hotspur

FA Cup: Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 Charlton Athletic
Premier League: Everton 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Premier League: Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Fulham
Premier League: Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Newcastle United
Premier League: Aston Villa 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur

Manchester United

FA Cup: Manchester United 1-0 Liverpool
Premier League: Manchester United 2-1 Stoke City
Premier League: West Brom 1-2 Manchester United
Premier League: Birmingham City 1-1 Manchester United
Premier League: Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland

—————————————————————–

Head-to-Head

2010/2011: Manchester United 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur

2009/2010: Manchester United 3-1 Tottenham Hotspur
2009/2010: Tottenham Hotspur 1-3 Manchester United

2008/2009: Manchester United 5-2 Tottenham Hotspur
2008/2009: Tottenham Hotspur 0-0 Manchester United

2007/2008: Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Manchester United
2007/2008: Manchester United 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur

2006/2007: Tottenham Hotspur 0-4 Manchester United
2006/2007: Manchester United 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur

2005/2006: Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Manchester United
2005/2006: Manchester United 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur

—————————————————————–

2010/2011 Premier League Statistics

Tottenham Hotspur

League Position: 4th
Win-Draw-Lose: 10-6-5 (Home: 6-4-1)
Goal Difference: 31-25 (Home: 17-9)
Form: DWWWl (Home: WWDWW)
Top Scorer: Rafael Van Der Vaart

Manchester United

League Position: 1st
Win-Draw-Lose: 12-8-0 (Away: 2-7-0)
Goal Difference: 43-19 (Away: 14-12)
Form: WWDWW (Away: WDDDW)
Top Scorer: Dimitar Berbatov (14)

—————————————————————–

Betting Odds & Tips

Match Prediction: Draw – 3.40 StanJames

We have no doubt Spurs will give the league leaders a rough ride at White Hart Lane on Sunday. The pace at which Harry Redknapp has his side playing is breathtaking at times, but it isn’t just about the outright pace which Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon bring the fore. Rafael Ven Der Vaart and Luka Modric are arguably more effective in the creative department in that they have the brain of a footballing genius. They can spot the the runs which others don’t, can play the intricate football which others can only dream about. Furthermore, few are more confident and accomplished in possession than these two. So we aren’t surprised in the slightest that Spurs are coming in for a lot of support.

Those who instantly decide to ignore United’s record at White Hart Lane should air on the side of caution, even with United’s dismal away record of two wins in nine away ventures. Tottenham has proven to be a happy hunting ground for the Red Devils over the years, and on each visit they raise the standard. They’re a team with the capacity to score goals on the road, with only Man City and Sunderland, two of the league’s strongest defences on home soil, having kept United at bay for the full 90 minutes, while defensively, even though they have shipped double figures (12), United remain one of the strongest rearguards to break down, with Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic a rock-solid and reliable centre-back partnership.

It’s a difficult one, both sides have their plus and bad points. I can see it being a tight affair despite both side’s willingness to score goals. The occasion, though, and all the pressure and limelight which accompanies such a high-profile encounter, may restrict a possible thriller to a low-scoring affair so I’m siding with the draw in this one, a result neither would begrudge.

Value Bet: Rafael Van Der Vaart First Goalscorer – 7.50 WilliamHill

Match Odds:

Tottenham Hotspur – 2.90 bWin
Draw – 3.40 StanJames
Manchester United – 2.63 BetFred

Manchester United V Liverpool

Kick-off: Sunday, 9th January – 13:30 (GMT)
Venue: Old Trafford
TV Coverage: ITV1

Manchester United

Even though his Manchester United side are in pole position to snatch the Premier League back from Chelsea’s loosening grasp, Sir Alex Ferguson isn’t willing to show neither the competition, the FA Cup, nor his opponents, the club’s fiercest rivals Liverpool, any lack of respect as he prepares to lead his team into battle seeking his third straight home success over his Merseyside adversary.

Despite winning the competition more times than anyone else, Manchester United are aiming to win their first FA Cup in almost a decade when they kick-off their campaign on Sunday. Ironically, the most successful team in FA Cup history could be about to suffer back-to-back third round defeats were they to succumb to defeat at the hands of a Liverpool side currently reeling following Wednesday’s horrific night at Blackburn, not to mention their atrocious away form heading into Sunday’s encounter. And, ironically, some may even argue that Sunday’s tie is just as easy as last season’s, when United crashed out thanks to Jermaine Beckford’s strike at Old Trafford, such has been the alarming rate of Liverpool’s demise under Roy Hodgson.

Sir Alex is desperate to avoid another early exit and is even willing to throw Wayne Rooney into the fray despite the striker nursing an ankle injury. Few players thrive off matches against Liverpool than former Evertonian Rooney, so that’s a massive boost for United fans, not that they need some encouraging news in fairness.

Sat atop of the Premier League having not tasted a single league defeat all season – their only loss of the entire campaign, in all competitions, came away at West Ham in the Carling Cup – coupled with a number of other outstanding statistics: Winning nine of ten at home in the league, their last seven in succession, as well as boasting the clinical and prolific services of Dimitar Berbatov up front, who leads the way in the Premiership scoring charts with 14 strikes, 12 of which have come at Old Trafford, United really do look a formidable, almost unstoppable force on paper despite the fair assessment that they haven’t played at all well, or anywhere near their capacity of potential, for a while.

The only factor which may come back and bite them in the backside is arrogance, although the team have every right to be supremely confident of their chances on Sunday. The bookies are firmly of the opinion that the Red Devils will be too hot for a Liverpool side who tend to blow more cold than hot, but they mustn’t underestimate their bitter foes as for all their lacklustre form, this Liverpool team still boast a number of world-class individuals who are definitely capable of producing a moment of magic at Old Trafford. After all, the Reds have scored on each of their previous three visits to Manchester, seven in total and five of those came from either Steven Gerrard (3) or Fernando Torres (2). 

Liverpool

After what was a disastrous 2010, supporters of Liverpool FC were desperately hoping that the New Year would bring about a change in fortune for the once giant of the English game. Now the Reds are being dwarfed by the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham when it comes to challenging for the Premier League title, and what’s more disheartening is that the team hasn’t shown any indication on the pitch that they even care about the alarming state of affairs on Merseyside, with the supporters growing impatient and frustrated with every humiliating result Roy Hodgson and his lacklustre team chalk up.

Wednesday’s embarrassing episode at Ewood Park was just one of many since Hodgson took charge in the summer, a manager who unfortunately brought with him a dire away record. The 63-year old has now masterminded just one away win in his last 28 matches as Fulham and Liverpool manager, and that simply isn’t good enough for Liverpool, to have a manager who evidentially fails to bring home the bacon time and time again. In all competitions this season, Roy Hodgson has conjured just two away wins, one at The Reebok against Bolton while the other came in a Europa League qualifier against Macedonian minnows.

None of this bodes well ahead of Sunday’s trip to Old Trafford, where their hosts have converted nine of their opening ten league games into maximum points and have lost just the one game against English opposition during the whole of the current term. To add insult to injury, much of the focus pre-match is likely to be about Hodgson’s future rather than Liverpool’s chances of winning, which look slim at best considering. We only hope the players pay little attention to all the off-pitch speculation and for once focus on putting in a decent shift for a change, something most of them haven’t done for a long time.

Pepe Reina, Glen Johnson, Fernando Torres; three exceptional players who have massively disappointed under Roy Hodgson’s watch. The experienced tactician insists he still has the players’ backing but when they continue to put in dismal personal performances on a weekly basis, is it any wonder he’s convincing nobody? It would appear the former Fulham boss, who now needs a Sunday miracle in order to escape Old Trafford with a result, something only West Brom, Rangers and Valencia have managed all season, and the only player capable sparing Hodgson’s blushes would appear Steven Gerrard, the only player left at Liverpool with an ounce of fighting spirit left in him, and that’s only because he’s the captain of his boy-hood club. You look elsewhere for inspiration and there simply isn’t any. Worrying times for the Reds, without a doubt.

So, Liverpool’s FA Cup, Third Round credentials in a nutshell: A lifeless team who cannot travel, with a manager the fans simply cannot stand, on the back of four nasty looking away defeats in the league which has heightened the need for major changes on Merseyside.

—————————————

Last 5 Results

Manchester United

Premier League: Manchester United 2-1 Stoke City
Premier League: West Brom 1-2 Manchester United
Premier League: Birmingham 1-1 Manchester United
Premier League: Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland
Premier League: Manchester United 1-0 Arsenal

Liverpool

Premier League: Blackburn Rovers 3-1 Liverpool
Premier League: Liverpool 2-1 Bolton Wanderers
Premier League: Liverpool 0-1 Wolves
Europa League: Liverpool 0-0 FC Utrecht
Premier League: Newcastle United 3-1 Liverpool

—————————————

Head-to-Head

Premier League (Last 5 Seasons)

2010/2011: Manchester United 3-2 Liverpool

2009/2010: Manchester United 2-1 Liverpool
2009/2010: Liverpool 2-0 Manchester United

2008/2009: Manchester United 1-4 Liverpool
2008/2009: Liverpool 2-1 Manchester United

2007/2008: Manchester United 3-0 Liverpool
2007/2008: Liverpool 0-1 Manchester United

2006/2007: Liverpool 0-1 Manchester United
2006/2007: Manchester United 2-0 Liverpool

2005/2006: Liverpool 1-0 Manchester United
2005/2006: Manchester United 0-0 Liverpool

FA Cup (since Premiership was formed)

2005/2006: Liverpool 1-0 Manchester United
1998/1999: Manchester United 2-1 Liverpool
1995/1996: Manchester United 1-0 Liverpool

—————————————

2010/2011 Domestic Statistics

Manchester United

League Position: 1st
Win-Draw-Lose: 12-8-0 (Home: 10-1-0)
Form: WWDWW (Home: WWWWW)
Goal Difference: 43-19 (Home: 29-7)
Top Scorer: Dimitar Berbatov (14)

Liverpool

League Position: 12th
Win-Draw-Lose: 7-4-9 (Away: 1-2-7)
Form: WLLWL (Away: DLLLL)
Goal Difference: 24-27 (Away: 7-19)
Top Scorer: Fernando Torres (6)

—————————————

Betting Odds & Tips

Match Prediction: Manchester United to WIN – 1.66 Coral

If ever Roy Hodgson needed the supporters behind him, it was on Sunday. The 63-year old angered the Liverpool faithful when he doubted their commitment and dedication to a club he’s only been at for less than five minutes, but the veteran is fortunate in that Sunday the fans should take some of their pent-up frustration out on the United faithful, not that they have a leg to stand on anymore, but as soon as Liverpool go behind, the afternoon could become extremely uncomfortable for Roy.

On paper, with United in buoyant mood following a fantastic first half to the season which has seen them rocket to the summit of the Premier League, as opposed to a Liverpool team in disarray, severaly lacking in confidence and without any momentum, this really does look a mis-match. However, Liverpool, down the years anyway, have been able to raise their game in the crunch encounters, the heavyweight clashes, and if the players have any respect for the shirt and understanding of just how significant a fixture this is, they’ll stop wallowing in self-pity and come out of their cowardly shells.

We all know Steven Gerrard is a wonderfuly gifted individual, as is Fernand Torres, but the rest are pretty average. Even against what we genuinely believe is a fairly mediocre United side in comparison to teams of old, we’re struggling to picture an outcome which doesn’t result in Sir Alex celebrating progression in a tounrnament the Red Devils have won more times than anyone else.

Wayne Rooney returns, as does Rio Ferdinand and Edwin Van Der Saar, but Rooney’s striking relationship with Dimitar Berbatov really has blossomed of late and at Old Trafford, where the vast majority of the Bulgarian’s 14 league goals have come this season, and where the silky hitman bagged a hat-trick in the league meeting between the two earlier in the season, we feel these two have the ability to rip a a Liverpool defence which has conceded at least two in each of their last four away encounters, and more recently three at Blackburn, to shrewds. While the return of Ferdinand and Van Der Saar should shore up a United defence which has conceded in each of its last three league matches.

Match Odds:

Manchester United – 1.66 Coral
Draw – 4.00 WilliamHill
Liverpool – 6.00 Bet365

Manchester United V Stoke City

Kick-off: Tuesday, 4th January – 20:00 (GMT)
Venue: Old Trafford
Previous Meeting: Stoke City 1-2 Manchester United (24 Oct, 2010)

Manchester United

When Manchester United are winning matches without playing particularly well, or on their latest outing rather shambolic and outplayed by an opponent inferior in every which way, you know their rivals for the title may as well give up as this is typical United title-winning form. Before you know it, they’ll be blowing sides out of the water, and it wouldn’t be at all surprising to see them start with the visit of Stoke on Tuesday, who they’ve spanked 5-0 and 4-0 in their previous two home encounters in the Premier League with the Potters.

Who ever knew United captain Nemanja Vidic did comedy? The Serbian centre-half claimed Chelsea’s slump in form – with the Blues having sealed victory in just one of their last eight league matches – is just as bemusing as United’s dismal record on the road – the Red Devils posting a disconcerting 2-7-0 record on their travels in the league this term, a record which should have left the door wide open for their title rivals yet in actual fact, courtesy of their formidable record at Old Trafford, they’ve been able to slam it shut and on Tuesday, what with Arsenal and Man City contesting the same fixture 24 hours later, could stretch their lead at the summit to three points, where they could also bolster their already superior goal difference against an opponent they score goals for fun against at Old Trafford.

Quite simply, Manchester United have been sublime at home this season. Had a rare Edwin Van Der Saar not spilled a simple cross against the Baggies last October, the Reds would boast an immaculate record at Old Trafford in the league, although instead they must be content with nine wins in ten. It would have gone nicely though with their awe-inspiring feat of having gone a little over half the league campaign without losing a single match, but I’m sure sitting atop the standings with a game will satisfy a still evergreen Alex Ferguson, who claims he’s as passionate in his role as United manager than he was when he first joined over 25 years ago.

While the selection of opponent couldn’t be any sweeter, Tuesday’s game doesn’t come without the odd dilemma. Sir Alex, in the knowledge that he faces a mammoth double-header within the next fortnight, with a sumptuous third round tie with Liverpool in the FA Cup to come on Sunday before a trip to White Hart Lane to face an in-form Spurs the following week, will need to decide whether it’s worth risking his prized asset, Wayne Rooney. Deprived of goals undoubtedly, but the Evertonian converted Red Devil has been in inspired form of late, although mainly as Dimitar Berbatov’s goal-creator. Rooney spent the latter stages of Saturday’s 2-1 win over West Brom in the Midlands limping after picking up a knock to his troublesome left ankle, so the last thing Rooney will want to see is the sight of a hard-hitting Stoke side turning up at Old Trafford looking to make their presence felt.

So Ferguson may decide to tweak his starting XI for the visit of the Potters, which would be a negative considering messing with a winning formula has caused many a manager problems down the years. This United team has won five of their last six in the league, their last six on the bounce at home, and Rooney has been at the heart of all that success. His absence would be hard-felt, although Fergie can at least welcome Nani back into the fray while it isn’t as though Ferguson doesn’t have the comforts of home to fall back on, not to mention how easy they’ve rolled the Potters over in their recent clashes at Old Trafford.

Stoke City

Infuriatingly frustrating over the festive period maybe, but a couple of hard-fought wins slap-bang in the middle of an indifferent spell for Stoke has meant relegation has once again become virtually impossible, with the Potters quickly becoming an established top-flight club thanks to many attributes; a boardroom which sticks to its principles in the transfer market just one, but also a demanding manager who accepts nothing less than 100% from his squad.

Tony Pulis isn’t a manager held in the highest regard in some circles, particularly past players who feel they never got a fair crack of the whip under his stewardship, but he’s a manager which squeezes every ounce of energy from his players, whenever and wherever possible. He’s also a manager which instils a fearless quality into his team, though, in one particular fixture Pulis has struggled to convince the dressing room that there is absolutely nothing to fear but everything to gain, and that’s against the kings of the Premier League, Manchester United.

Not a single point has been registered from the five previous Premier League encounters with the Red Devils, a head-to-head record which become even more alarming when you come to realise that in two visits to Old Trafford, the Theatre of Dreams as some like to call it, the Potters have left with nightmares. Two successive defeats with an aggregate scoring of 0-9 is what Stoke somehow need to better on Tuesday night, though they find themselves up against not only the current league leaders, who are in such a dominant position, but also a side which have won nine of their ten matches at home this season, their last six on the spin, and have conceded only one in their last four – So it bodes well for a Stoke side who have never scored a Premier League goal at Old Trafford.

In fairness to Stoke, playing away from home hasn’t been as much of a burden or as daunting a prospect as it has been in their previous two league campaigns, and the fact they arrive in Manchester boasting an impressive three-match unbeaten run on the road does at least stand them in good stead and make them a possible banana skin on paper. With that said, winning this fixture does look improbable simply because their record at the elite venues, against the traditional ‘Big Four’, is appalling. In nine visits to one of either Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool or Man Utd, the Potters have amassed just two goals and registered zero points, scoring one each at Arsenal and Chelsea in their very first season in the Premiership (2008/2009). Since then, Stoke have failed to register a single goal at one of the Big Four venues in five attempts, though they must tackle three of their nemesis in the second half of the season.

The positives for Tony Pulis is that he has a full strength squad to pick from and that Kenwyn Jones recently found his way back amongst the goals, and the Trinidad & Tobago striker could cause United a few problems in the air. If Stoke can utilise their wingers to deadly effect up against Fabio/Rafael and Patrice Evra, with Matthew Ethrington and Jermaine Pennant both in sumptuous form for the Potters this season, then perhaps they might enjoy some rare fortune at Old Trafford. I still don’t see how they’ll register a result mind.

————————————————————————-

Last 5 Results

Manchester United

Premier League: West Brom 1-2 Manchester United
Premier League: Birmingham City 1-1 Manchester United
Premier League: Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland
Premier League: Manchester United 1-0 Arsenal
Champions League: Manchester United 1-1 Valencia

Stoke City

Premier League: Stoke City 2-0 Everton
Premier League: Stoke City 0-2 Fulham
Premier League: Blackburn Rovers 0-2 Stoke City
Premier League: Stoke City 0-1 Blackpool
Premier League: Wigan Athletic 2-2 Stoke City

—————————————-

Head-to-Head (Last 5 Seasons)

2010/2011: Stoke City 1-2 Manchester United

2009/2010: Manchester United 4-0 Stoke City
2009/2010: Stoke City 0-2 Manchester United

2008/2009: Stoke City 0-1 Manchester United
2008/2009: Manchester United 5-0 Stoke City

—————————————-

2010/2011 Premier League Statistics

Manchester United

League Position: 1st
Win-Draw-Lose: 11-8-0 (Home: 9-1-0)
Form: WWWDW (Home: WWWWW)
Goal Difference: 41-18 (Home: 27-6)
Top Scorer: Dimitar Berbatov (14)

Stoke City

League Position: 8th
Win-Draw-Lose: 8-3-9 (Away: 3-1-5)
Form: DLWLW (Away: LLWDW)
Goal Difference: 25-24 (Away: 11-12)
Top Scorer: Kenwyn Jones (5)

—————————————-

Team News

Manchester United

Despite spending much of the latter stages of his team’s 2-1 win at The Hawthorns over West Brom hobbling after doing some minor damage to his ankle, Wayne Rooney is apparently fit to face the Potters on Tuesday according to his manager, Sir Alex Ferguson. Nani could also be in line to start after coming on as a second half sub against the Baggies, though Paul Scholes is still absent with a groin problem and South Korean Ji-Sung Park unavailable because of his international commitments.

Stoke City

Tony Pulis has a fresh bill of health ahead of his team’s visit to Old Trafford, with only Mamady Sidibe still rooted to the sidelines. However, Pulis may decide to make changes in order to keep his side fresh, with Ricardo Fuller or Tuncay possibly contesting a starting berth up front with Jonathan Walters. Centre-half Robert Huth, who has four league goals to his name for the season, will return to the starting fold after missing the weekend victory over Everton at The Brittania through suspension.

————————————————————————-

Betting Odds & Tips

Match Prediction: Manchester United to WIN – 1.30 VictorChandler

As per usual in games away from home against the bigger fish, Tony Pulis will set his side up very much to defend parity for as long as possible by putting plenty of numbers behind the ball whilst using their physical aurora if you like to try and intimidate a United team who hardly lack combative players in their ranks. Pulis has attempted this very tactic in his previous two visits to Old Trafford, and on each occasion his side were sent packing with their pants well and truly around their ankles. Will he try something a little different? I seriously doubt it, as with the players available to him there isn’t an awful lot more he can do other than try and focuc much of their attacking play down the wings, through Matty Ethrington and Jermaine Pennant, who have the tricks in their locker to beat their defensive marker.

A United side without Rooney would definitely play into Stoke’s hands as the United No.10 creates so many goalscoring opportunities, most for those around him. His absence almost nullifies the threat of Dimitar Berbatov, who has found a new leash of life since Rooney returned to something like his former self following a turbulant summer.

So, a United team with less attacking vigour about them will make Stoke’s task a whole lot easier, but we still don’t see them getting anything from this fixture. In recent weeks, Sir Alex’s men have found a way of winning ugly, etching out priceless wins in matches they had no right to win, and I’m sticking a few shillings on this encounter being a lot tighter than its predecessors.

Value Punt: Manchester United/Manchester United (HT/FT Betting) – 1.91 bWin

The Red Devils have taken a lead into the break in each of their ten home encounters in the league this season, and on nine occasions did they manage to retain their advantage until the full-time whistle.

Match Odds:

Manchester United – 1.30 VictorChandler
Draw – 5.75 Bet365
Stoke City – 12.00 BetFred

West Brom V Manchester United

Kick-off: Saturday, 1st January – 12:45 (GMT)
Venue: The Hawthorns
TV Coverage: Sky Sports HD2

West Brom

The West Brom fans will be a little saddened to see 2010 go, a year which has brought the good times back to the Midlands, and the finest the country can serve up. And they don’t come any bigger than the 11-time Premier League champs Manchester United, who are gunning for their record 19th top-flight title, as well as revenge following West Brom’s hard-fought 2-2 draw at Old Trafford in the season’s earlier encounter between the two sides.

It was fair to say that the Baggies were more than a shade fortunate to have sneaked a point out of Old Trafford back in October, at a time when they were riding the crest of a wave and everything was falling into their lap. The latter we mean in a literal sense as well, as in that visit to Old Trafford West Brom were gifted their goals by United mistakes. The Red Devils haven’t been in a generous mood for a while now, although they are vulnerable on their travels having won just one of their eight away matches up till now, so while that stunning record that their opponents bring with them to The Hawthorns will give the team plenty of encouragement, they will definitely need to earn the result second time around as United are unlikely to be as sloppy defensively as they were when the two sides clashed last year.

When West Brom left Old Trafford with share of the spoils, it was their fifth consecutive league game without losing at the time. However, their form since has been in stark contrast. Christmas wasn’t kind to them either, with Roberto Di Matteo seeing his side beaten on both Boxing Day before again just 48 hour later, both in games they could and probably should have registered something in. The most recent in particular, where they were handsomely beaten by a previously out of sorts Blackburn side at The Hawthorns 3-1, was an alarming result and not the ideal platform heading into a daunting encounter with league leaders United, whom on their last visit to The Hawthorns notched up five goals en route to a 5-0 whitewash. With the Baggies having not kept a clean sheet at home since their very first home game of the campaign, when they beat Sunderland 1-0, you cannot help but have reservations over their chances, despite United’s dismal away record.

There isn’t a great deal to be positive about around The Hawthorns right now, with the team in terrible knick – Losing their last three league games on the spin, seven of their last ten and winning just one of their previous four at home – so news that both Gabriel Tamas and Gonzalo Jara are suspended will only compound Di Matteo’s woes. However, the Italian will at least welcome back Chris Brunt from suspension, and the set-piece specialists could prove essential on Saturday and dead-ball situations. Peter Odemwingie has been struggling with an ankle injury and hasn’t scored since the Baggies beat Newcastle 3-1 right at the beginning of December, although the Nigerians pace could pose the United defence problems if the right ball is threaded through.

Manchester United

The Midlands has proven to be a province of frustration for United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, whom has now seen his side drop four priceless points in two previous ventures to the Midlands this season following clashes with Aston Villa (2-2) and more recently Birmingham City (1-1). Now, after feeling hard-done by and aggrieved with the final result at Birmingham just four days ago, Ferguson’s charges will be fired up and determined to finally face their away demons front on at West Brom’s Hawthorns stadium, where on their last visits, two seasons ago, they spanked the Baggies 5-0.

A controversial last-gasp equaliser from Lee Bowyer was all that stood in the way of Manchester United going two points clear at the summer heading into the New Year. Now they must share that honour with arch-rivals Manchester City, although United’s superior goal difference (+22) means they’ll begin 2011 on top of the pile and will further cement their position at the top of the pile with victory in this weekend’s early encounter, where they tackle a West Brom side which caused them problems at Old Trafford earlier in the season and who remain the only team this season to leave Manchester following an encounter with the Red Devils unscathed, drawing 2-2 courtesy of an Edwin van Der Saar howler. A lot has changed since then though, with United in scintillating form and shaping us as champions in the making, whereas the Baggies have already began their decline and will be aiming to avoid their fourth defeat in a row when United come to town.

I don’t think anyone would contest that Manchester United could best be described as a wounded animal heading into Saturday’s meeting with West Brom at the Hawthorns, as United feel they were robbed of victory at Birmingham in midweek. To be brutally honest, they only have themselves to blame, as they created very little in front of goal and didn’t do anywhere near enough to kill off the Blues of Birmingham City. However, rarely do United suffer the same comeuppance twice, and we’re expecting nothing less than a United performance full of energy and intensity, especially as everyone has been eager to cite United’s dire away record this season – Winning 1 and Drawing 7 of their 8 Away League Games – as a reason why they aren’t as full-proof as everyone is making out, with many firmly of the belief that this 2010/2011 Premier League is United’s to lose.

United were disappointing away at Birmingham last time out, however they still managed to come within a dubious goal of clinching three massive points as they continue their relentless pursuit of their twelfth Premier League title. The Hawthorns has never posed much of a problem, certainly no mental barrier or voodoos or anything of that magnitude, while chances have always fallen their way against the Baggies. It goes without saying almost that West Brom have enjoyed a fantastic first half of the season, but they’re going through a torrid spell right now – Losing their last four league games on the bounce – and so anything less than a commanding win would genuinely be a shocker for United, as victory, despite the Baggies on occasions producing the odd determined display here and there, really ought to be a foregone conclusion, as there will be room for manoeuvre, their creative engineers will get time on the ball while the gaps will open up as that intensity in West Brom’s play continue to evaporate.

————————————

Last 5 Matches

West Brom

Premier League: West Brom 1-3 Blackburn Rovers
Premier League: Bolton Wanderers 2-0 West Brom
Premier League: Aston Villa 2-1 West Brom
Premier League: West Brom 3-1 Newcastle United
Premier League: Everton 1-4 West Brom

Manchester United

Premier League: Birmingham City 1-1 Manchester United
Premier League: Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland
Premier League: Manchester United 1-0 Arsenal
Premier League: Manchester United 1-1 Valencia
Carling Cup: West Ham 4-0 Manchester United

————————————

Premier League Head-to-Head (Last 5 Seasons)

2010/2011: Manchester United 2-2 West Brom

2008/2009: West Brom 0-5 Manchester United
2008/2009: Manchester United 4-0 West Brom

2005/2006: West Brom 1-2 Manchester United
2005/2006: Manchester United 3-0 West Brom

————————————

2010/2011 Premier League Statistics

West Brom

League Position: 14th
Win-Draw-Lose: 6-4-9 (Home: 4-2-3)
Form: WWLLL (Home: WLLWL)
Goal Difference: 25-34 (Home: 12-13)
Top Scorer: Peter Odemwingie (6)

Manchester United

League Position: 1st
Win-Draw-Lose: 10-8-0 (Away: 1-7-0)
Form: WWWWD (Away: DWDDD)
Goal Difference: 39-17 (Away: 12-11)
Top Scorer: Dimitar Berbatov (14)

————————————

Team News

West Brom

Roberto Di Matteo is forced to make several changes in defence following Gabriel Tamas and Gonzalo Jara‘s collection of fifth bookings each meaning the pair will now serve a one-match suspension this weekend, while Paul Scharner has recently emerged as a doubt with illness. Di Matteo took such measures as to recall full-back Gianni Zuiverloon from his loan spell at Ipswich, as the cover just wasn’t strong enough. On the plus side, Chris Brunt is expected to return while Peter Odemwingie, despite spending much of the festive period nursing an ankle injury, should also start for the third successive game in a row as the Nigerian goes in search of his seventh goal of the season.

Manchester United

Sir Alex doesn’t have anything fresh to deal with although he may introduce Nani back into the fray after the Portuguese winger sat out United’s 1-1 draw with Birmingham City in midweek with a hip complaint. Paul Scholes is still out injured with a groin strain, John O’Shea a doubt with a calf injury while South Korean Ji-Sung Park is unavailable as he’s currently on international duty in Qatar, Asia. Darren Fletcher has recovered from a bout of illness which kept him out of the trip to St Andrews, so Michael Carrick should drop to the bench in place of the consistent Scotland international.

————————————

Match Prediction: Manchester United to WIN – 1.57 StanJames

This really was a straightforward pick for me. That second to none application we seen from West Brom’s players in the early stages of the campaign has ebbed away as the seasons drifts by, and with it their form has taken a serious nose-dive. Three successive defeats is the form Roberto Di Matteo’s side will take into Saturday’s showdown, and that simply isn’t good enough if they wish to stand their ground against a side who thrashed them 5-0 at The Hawthorns two seasons ago. Although United haven’t won away from home since beating Stoke City 2-1 at The Brittania back in October, we wouldn’t put anyone off backing a similar scoreline during Saturday’s LIVE encounter, as the Baggies just aren’t playing with the same intensity which seen them spring surprised on Arsenal and Manchester United at the very beginning of the season, when the novelty and enthusiasm for the top=flight for was still fresh.

Disappointing away from home on the whole, Manchester United know they won’t have a more straightforward opportunity to banish some away voodoo’s than on Saturday against a West Brom side who are once again on the decline. The majority of their performances away from home simply haven’t been good enough, and those same displays wouldn’t be good enough to beat West Brom this Saturday, so they’ll need to raise their game and we have no doubts that they will. When United are in the ascendency and can sniff out the title, they’re a formidable side, one more than capable of racing through the gears and taking their game up a notch or two, and with Rooney slowly but surely recapturing the form of old which once seen him held in the same breathe as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, we just feel United will be far too strong for the Baggies.

Recommended Bet: Manchester United/Manchester United (HT/FT Betting) – 2.45 bWin

Did you know that United haven’t scored an away goal in the first 45 minutes since Javier Hernandez’s intuitive header at The Brittania against Stoke. They later went on to record a 2-1 victory, their only away win of the season to date. Considering we’re banking on United doing something they haven’t done since beating Stoke four away matches ago, we may as well go the whole hog and back a bet which would have paid dividends at The Brittania as well. 

Match Odds:

West Brom – 7.00 SkyBet
Draw – 4.33 Coral
Manchester United – 1.57 StanJames

Manchester United V Sunderland

Sunday, 26th December – 15:00 (GMT)
Venue: Old Trafford

Manchester United

When Alex Ferguson’s men get into their stride and start to hit all the right notes, they’re close to unstoppable, as their title rivals are beginning to find out for themselves this season. Two points clear of the chasing pack and also boasting a couple of games in hand, no-one would dare contest our next statement that United are well and truly in the driving seat as far as this race for the Premiership crown is concerned, as we are merely stating the blooming obvious. Even the severe bout of weather England has had to withstood recently couldn’t stop United from topping the charts at Christmas, so it begs to question how on earth will Sunderland, whom last won a competitive match at Old Trafford way back in 1968, will halt the unstoppable force that is Manchester United?

Renowned for their strong finishes, it’s a daunting prospect for their title rivals to see United in such a commanding position heading into the New Year. The most frightening thing of all is the fact they haven’t played anywhere near the level of their predecessors, who won eleven Premiership titles and remarkably reducing the deficit on Liverpool who nineteen years ago lead the way with 18 top-flight titles as opposed to United’s 7. It just proves what a managerial marvel at a club with solid foundations can achieve, with English football’s most successful ever manager having recently eclipsed Sir Matt Busby’s record of longest-serving Manchester United manager, and another frightening piece of information is that the evergreen Scot has no desire whatsoever to retire in the immediate future.

Sir Alex Ferguson had a little dig at some of his peers earlier this week when claiming he was surprised at the manner in which some of this season’s results have been perceived, with the Scot of the opinion that the Premier League has arguably never been so competitive as it is right now. Ferguson also had kind words to say about his side’s Boxing Day opponent’s, Sunderland, citing the Black Cats’ sensational 3-0 win at Stamford Bridge over Chelsea earlier in the campaign as an obvious reason why the Wearsider’s shouldn’t be underestimated despite United’s overwhelming head-to-head record with Sunderland. And he’s right to have his concerns as Sunderland gave them one of their roughest rides last season, when United had to come from behind twice in order to draw 2-2 at Old Trafford, while earlier this season, at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light, United endured their most vigorous assessment of the campaign thus far and somehow scraped a point from a fixture they were completely outplayed in.

While Sir Alex is full of admiration for his opposite number and the work he has done in transforming not only Sunderland’s fortunes on the pitch but also the way in which the club in general is perceived by the media and the public, don’t expect any love lost out on the pitch. We’re at a crucial time in the season where anything less than a business as usual mindset could leave even the elite red-faced and ruing priceless opportunities wasted, and it’s a period where in the last couple of seasons United have been so strong in.

Overwhelming favourites they are, against a side ranked sixth-best in England according to the Premiership table, but rightly so in virtually everyone’s opinion. Okay, so the general vibe around the country is that United are a little fortunate to be top considering their displays this season haven’t exactly been overly impressive, but there is no better team in the country, possibly even Europe, at grounding out results than Manchester United and a fixture where many will hype it up as a possible Banana skin waiting to happen, we’re instead of the opinion that it’s a fixture United could run riot in. Sunderland have their frailties on the road, conceded more than double of that when at home, while only West Brom have left Old Trafford this season unscathed, and even they did so in the most fortuitous of circumstances. 10 of Berbatov’s 11 leagues goals this season have come at Old Trafford, so have 25 of United’s 36 league goals.

Sunderland

You would have thought, what with Sunderland avoiding the drop with something to spare last season and with the club currently sat in sixth and well on course to secure European football in 2011/2012, that progress is quite evidently being made. That isn’t necessarily the opinion of club chairman Niall Quinn, who feels the lack of financial support from the fans could lead to the club coming to a standstill and aborting any plans of further progression and reaching new heights, with attendances inside the Stadium of Light on the decline the football from Sunderland having vastly improved over the years, particularly since Steve Bruce’s arrival eighteen months ago.

Quinn has warned supporters that if their lack of support, and by that he means if they don’t bother to fill the Stadium of Light for home games, then big-money coups like that of record club signing Asamoah Gyan, who has five goals to his name in his first season in England, and Darren Bent, whom returned with figures of 23 in his first full season as a Black Cat and has seven under his belt in the current campaign despite missing a number of games with injury. And while Bruce is content to work with the current crop, the former Birmingham and Wigan manager is all to aware of the diverse nature of English football, especially at the highest level, and how improvements in playing personnel are needed if the club are to sustain the tremendous levels of progression already made this season.

In fairness, Bruce should be delighted with his current squad, the same squad which avoided defeat against Sunday’s opponent’s Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham, as well as record a stunning 3-0 win over defending champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, the latter an emphatic result which Sir Alex Ferguson cited as just one piece of evidence to suggest that Sunday’s visit of Steve Bruce’s Sunderland will be one of his side’s toughest home games of the entire season. And in case Fergie was in need of further cause for concern, Sunderland were robbed of two points on their last visit to Old Trafford, where goals from Darren Bent and Kenwyn Jones appeared to have earned Sunderland an historic win in Manchester, what would have been their first ever in the Premier League, only to be denied glory by their own player, Anton Ferdinand.

Last season, Sunderland’s Achilles heel was a combination of two things. The first was complacency, with Bruce having overseen a similarly impressive start, although not quite as eye-catching as this season, before his players got too big for their boots and began to nod off and lose all their motivation, which was hardly surprising considering the club have spent almost their entire lifespan in the Premier League fighting a relegation battle, so to lounge around in the top-half of the table was a surprise for most. Bruce is hopeful history won’t repeat itself there.

However, Sunderland’s biggest drawback is unquestionably their poor record on the road in recent years. In 2008/2009, when the club narrowly avoided the drop, Sunderland registered just three away wins. The following season they conjured only two, however, Bruce has added some resilience to his team’s away displays this season, with the Black Cats no longer a walkover on their travels. With that said, they do conceded a lot more on their travels than back on Wearside, but when you have a potent attacking line as they do – Darren Bent (7 Goals), Asaoah Gyan (5 Goals), Danny Welbeck (4 Goals) – it isn’t quite a big deal as now Sunderland are capable of going to venues such as United’s Old Trafford and scoring, as they did at Anfield when drawing 2-2 with Liverpool before going one better and beating Chelsea 3-0 at Stamford Bridge back in November – A ‘perfect performance’ as Sir Alex would describe it.

——————————————————–

Last 5 Matches

Manchester United

Premiership: Manchester United 1-0 Arsenal
Champions League: Manchester United 1-1 Valencia
Carling Cup: West Ham United 4-0 Manchester United
Premiership: Manchester United 7-1 Blackburn Rovers
Champions League: Rangers 0-1 Manchester United

Sunderland

Premiership: Sunderland 1-0 Bolton Wanderers
Premiership: Fulham 0-0 Sunderland
Premiership: Sunderland 1-0 West Ham United
Premiership: Wolves 3-2 Sunderland
Premiership: Sunderland 2-2 Everton

——————————————————–

Head-to-Head

2010/2011: Sunderland 0-0 Manchester United
2009/2010: Sunderland 0-1 Manchester United
2009/2010: Manchester United 2-2 Sunderland
2008/2009: Sunderland 1-2 Manchester United
2008/2009: Manchester United 1-0 Sunderland
2007/2008: Sunderland 0-4 Manchester United
2007/2008: Manchester United 1-0 Sunderland
2005/2006: Manchester United 0-0 Sunderland
2005/2006: Sunderland 1-3 Manchester United
2002/2003: Manchester United 2-1 Sunderland
2002/2003: Sunderland 1-1 Manchester United

——————————————————–

2010/2011 Premier League Statistics

Manchester United

League Position: 1st
Win-Draw-Lose: 9-7-0 (Home: 8-1-0)
Form: DDWWW (Home: WWWWW)
Goal Difference: 36-16 (Home: 25-6)
Top Scorer: Dimitar Berbatov (11)

Sunderland

League Position: 6th
Win-Draw-Lose: 6-9-3 (Away: 1-5-3)
Form: DLWDW (Away: LDWLD)
Goal Difference: 21-18 (Away: 10-13)
Top Scorer: Darren Bent (7)

——————————————————–

Match Odds:

Manchester United – 1.29 Bet365
Draw – 5.50 SkyBet
Sunderland – 13.00 VictorChandler

Manchester United V Rangers

Tuesday, 14th September – 19:45 GMT
LIVE on Sky Sports 2

UEFA Champions League: Group C

Manchester United

Boasting one European Champion Clubs’ Cup triumph and two UEFA Champions League successes, their most recent coming in the 2007/2008 campaign, Manchester United will attempt to get their European adventure off to a flyer when Sir Alex Ferguson welcomes an old pal of his, Rangers manager Walter Smith, to Old Trafford in a game promised to be hyped up by all corners of the media as the ‘Battle of Britain’ encounter. That somewhat exciting headline couldn’t be any further from the truth, though, when you consider the plight at which the Scottish Premier League has fallen over the years, while Rangers’ money woes and their poor record in England means the Red Devils are worthy favourites to clinch all three points in Tuesday’s clash.

Last season seen United fail to reach the semi-finals of the competition for the first time since 2006, bowing out to Bayern Munich at the last-eight stage of the tournament last term, but after being handed a generous group will be confident of at least getting the ball rolling with an opening victory over Rangers before later, hopefully, progressing into the last-sixteen, the stage of the competition where the men are separated from the boys. And that could be the best way to define this encounter; men against boys, as United stand over the Scottish outfit like giants with the amount of talent and the sheer value of their squad. Wayne Rooney alone is arguably worth more in pounds than the Rangers team combined, although he was absent at the weekend as his team-mates let two significantly importantly points slip through their grasp away at his former employers’ Everton. The Red Devils conceding twice in injury time in a game they seemingly had wrapped up; hardly the pre-Champions League display asked for by manager Ferguson.

United’s form before Tuesday’s clash remains positive nevertheless, boasting an unbeaten start in the Premier League – 2 wins and 2 draws – although the off-field problems of Wayne Rooney could hardly of come at a worse time seeing as United kick off their Champions League campaign on Tuesday needing to begin on a positive note. They should do that with or without Rooney in fairness, although you would think the matter is a foregone conclusion should Rooney, who was reportedly omitted from Ferguson’s squad which travelled to Everton at the weekend through ‘lack of fitness’ but really was left out because he put his own needs before the good of the team, start on Tuesday night, and we reckon he has solid claims to make his United reappearance, with our hunch being Ferguson’s reluctance to throw Rooney into the Lion’s pit at Goodison, seeing as Goodison Park was where Wayne Rooney made both his Premier League début and a name for himself as one of England’s finest youth products in recent years.

With only Spanish outfit Valencia standing out as much of a rival in a lightweight Group C, nothing less than three points and a comfortable scoreline is to be expected from Man Utd. Their record on home soil against Scottish opponents is formidable, having won three of four encounters, beating Celtic twice in the last couple of campaigns, while the Red Devils have lost just one of their last 25 European affairs at Old Trafford, that rare loss coming last season against Besiktas, at a time when progression was assured in another featherweight group.

Rangers

Rangers qualified automatically for this seasons UEFA Champions League by virtue of clinching their second successive SPL title, but the Glasgow based club have never won Europe’s elite club prize and don’t boast particularly strong claims this time around either, with progression into the knock-out’s a feat in itself. In fact, Rangers will be hoping it’s third time lucky as they attempt to be a part of the competition’s last-sixteen which, should they do so, would be their first appearance in the knock-outs since the 2005/2006 campaign. However, first and foremost is their first encounter of the campaign, a trip to Old Trafford where one of England’s finest await them in a game they ideally need to get something from but will face an upward task in doing so.

It shouldn’t be too difficult bettering last season’s performance in Europe, where Rangers accumulated just two points in a realistic group which contained Sevilla, VFB Stuttgart and Romanian newcomers Unirea Urziceni, and yet Rangers’ only noteworthy results came away from home at Stuttgart and Urziceni, where the Old Firm surprisingly earned a share of the spoils in both encounters. Their away form was a great deal better then their form at Ibrox of three straight defeats but that doesn’t mean they’re in with even the slightest of chances of obtaining points from this venture to England against a wounded Man Utd at Old Trafford.

Following United’s slip up at the weekend, Rangers could find themselves up against a wounded animal in the form of the Red Devils, who are lethal and prolific at the best of times but when in the mood to turn a few heads and set the record straight, really do take some stopping. And that’s the task ahead which awaits Walter Smith’s players, to somehow tame this United beast which only Besiktas of Turkey has achieved in 25 atmospheric European nights at the Stadium of Dreams, although even that rare momentary lapse was tarnished by the fact Sir Alex fielded a weakened side. A Rangers side at the best, playing to the best of their ability and at full capacity wouldn’t cope with a United side at half the respective levels, and that’s the daunting prospect for Rangers, knowing that their opponents are far superior than them and nothing less than a fully committed performance from themselves will be enough to even remain competitive.

Although Rangers do have a great deal of winning form behind them, beginning the new SPL season with four straight wins, their most recent success, a 2-1 win away at Hamilton, wasn’t exactly vintage stuff and a similar display from the Scottish champs would see them handsomely beaten in Manchester on Tuesday night. Somehow, and even we aren’t quite sure how they will, Rangers need to raise their game by a considerable margin, as they can ill afford to begin this European campaign like their last, with a thumping defeat which will surely leave Rangers on their knees and begging to put out of their misery. In order to go from strength to strength they need something positive from this game, even if it is a disappointing but spirited defeat. Anything less and you do worry for Scotland’s only European competitors.

Match Prediction: Manchester United to WIN – 1.20 BetFred

The odds aren’t particularly great on a home win here but by the same token the Reds Devils won’t nee to be at their vintage best in order to see off an ordinary Rangers outfit, whom were dreadful in their last Champions League campaign and aren’t fancied to perform a great deal better this time around either.

Seeing as he was omitted from the squad at the weekend, Wayne Rooney is likely to jump straight back into the starting eleven for United’s Group C opener and that’s a deadly sign for Rangers, knowing full well Rooney will be eager to mend a few wrongs when he takes to the fray on Tuesday night. Although, a Rooney-less United should still have far too much ingenuity and class for Rangers anyhow, so anything less a Manchester United win would be a genuine shock.

Soccer-Betting Value Bet: Darren Fletcher Anytime Scorer – 4.30 Boylesports

Match Odds:

Manchester United – 1.20 BetFred

Draw – 7.00 Bet365

Rangers – 19.00 WilliamHill

Everton V Manchester United

Saturday, 11th September – 12:45 GMT
LIVE on Sky Sports 1
Soccer-Betting Game of the Week

Everton

League Position: 17th
League Form: DLL

The Toffees find themselves in a sticky situation at present, failing to win any of their opening three league games and have only West Ham and Stoke City below them for company. It is, however, still early days and there’s plenty of time for this Everton side, one with bags of potential, to grow into the season and have a big impact just as they did in the second half of last season. Our only concern is they may leave it to late once again, and life in the Premier League doesn’t get any easier for Everton as next up is third placed and unbeaten Manchester United, although the Blues do at least have the advantage of playing on Merseyside, where the atmosphere is likely to be hostile at best as fans prepare to see an old face in Wayne Rooney – An intriguing battle in itself.

This very same fixture was one of the highlights of an otherwise patchy and inconsistent 2009/2010 season for David Moyes and his men, where Everton missed out on Europe despite a late surge. 3-1 the game ended, with the Toffees storming back from a goal down to comprehensively see off the 18-time English league champions, and that is the potential of this Everton side; they have the ability to raise their game in the big clashes, as they did against Arsenal, Chelsea and United in the latter stages of last season, and have proved on several occasions over the years that they can throw a spanner in the works for these ‘bigger clubs’.

However, while Everton may hold all the mental aces because of their 3-1 triumph last term, their form is so poor right now that it all but cancels out that slight advantage, leaving them with only a home crowd for comfort. But even the loyal and passionate support from their fans hasn’t helped them a great deal in recent fixtures with the Red Devils, with Everton’s victory last season the clubs first over the Reds since a 1-0 win back in 2005. Their cause isn’t helped on Saturday as David Moyes has plenty of injury headaches, with the fired up Scot sweating on the fitness of Phil Neville, Jack Rodwell and Louis Saha, with latter perhaps forcing David Moyes to go with Jermain Beckford up front once again seeing as Yakubu is recovering from an illness despite featuring in Jamie Carragher’s testimonial at the weekend.

The form of Jermain Beckford has been particularly eye-catching, although for all the wrong reasons. The former Leeds striker signed for the club during the summer and at the ripe of age of 26, is no longer considered a hot prospect. The magic should be happening right now out on the pitch but it’s not, which has lead to stinging criticism from some corners of the press and even in some sections of Everton fans. We haven’t been impressed with him either and with Yakubu and Saha spending more time at home nowadays than on the pitch, David Moyes may well be forced to go shopping in January if Beckford doesn’t start delivering with goals – He would be an instant hit though were he to bag the winner against fierce rivals Man Utd.

Manchester United

League Position: 3rd
League Form: WDW

Unbeaten in the league since April, Manchester United go in search of their third win of the season on Saturday, in front of the Sky Sports cameras, with revenge at the forefront of their minds against an Everton side which showed them up on their last visit to Merseyside. However, the tide has well and truly turned since then, as at the time of United’s defeat on Merseyside Everton were enjoying a decent run of form, as United are now, and the Red Devils will be mighty difficult to stop on Saturday as they keep up their relentless pace with Chelsea at the top of the table.

Despite a brief slip up down at Craven Cottage, United have made a bright start to the new season and would make further positive strides were they to exact some revenge on a side which got the better of them at Goodison Park last term. Sir Alex Ferguson would openly admit that the last time he took his troops down to Merseyside for an encounter with Everton, they were second best and beaten by the better side, something you don’t often associate with the former champs of England nor the grumpy, stubborn Scot. There is, however, a confident swagger about United following a couple of impressive wins over Newcastle United and West Ham, despite both coming at Old Trafford, and they’ll be hard to stop at this rate especially as Everton haven’t made a particularly bright start themselves.

Manchester United’s claims for all three points have been boosted by several pieces of pleasing news. The first is in the form of Wayne Rooney, who despite being shown up by all the national newspapers over private matters involving his marriage, has found himself back in the goals after scoring United’s opener against West Ham just before the break in a 3-0 rout before opening for England in their 3-1 win in Basel over Switzerland. Secondly, Rio Ferdinand is set to embark upon his first game of the season after recovering from the injury sustained while at the World Cup in South Africa. United conceded two on their last away day out, so Ferdinand’s calming presence at the back is a welcome relief for Sir Alex, who could opt to start with the feisty Paul Scholes in the centre of midfield, with the former England international in scintillating form at present and a player which trives off the feisty encounters – A short price to go into the book on Saturday as well.

It has been nearly three years since Man Utd’s last win at Goodison, but they have all the momentum heading into Saturday’s pulsating affair and justify their odds-on status. Dimitar Berbatov seems to have found a new lease of life, playing with the sort of confidence which seen him earn so many plaudits when at Tottenham. The only slight headache for Ferguson is whether to throw Rooney into the Lion’s pit, as the former Evertonian doesn’t have the best of repour with the Everton faithful and is certain to get some uncomfortable stick throughout the afternoon. But can Fergie really afford to leave his most potent weapon on the bench?

Match Prediction: Manchester United to WIN – 1.91 Bet365

I’m really looking forward to this clash between an Everton side desperate to get their season under way following three games without a win and a United team just as desperate to stay in touch with runaway leaders Chelsea. There shouldn’t be an ounce of blood spared in this typically feisty encounter, so tighten your seatbelts as this is likely to be a bumpy ride, especially if your name is Wayne Rooney.

Enough with the hype, more down to business and we’ve tipped United to come out on top as Everton’s season goes from bad to worse. The Toffees have opened with two defeats and a draw and will be deprived of any confidence right now, whereas United, on the back of an impressive start to the campaign which has seen them score eight goals and collect seven points from a possible nine, are oozing at the seem with confidence and self-belief and should really end a run of two visits to Goodison without a win.

Soccer-Betting Value Tip: Wayne Rooney To Receive a Card – 3.50 SkyBet

The former Everton starlet is going to receive a hot reception at Goodison on Saturday and it will be interesting to see how he copes with all the limelight, pressure and persistent stick from the stands. Despite a thick exterior, Rooney is a fragile sort right now following allegations about his private life and his marriage seemingly on the rocks, and United’s No. 9 may well lose his head on Merseyside. He’s 3.50 to receive a card – A steal if you ask me!

Match Odds:

Everton – 4.50 SkyBet
Draw – 3.50 Boylesports
Manchester United – 1.91 Bet365

Manchester United V Newcastle United

Monday, 16th August – 20:00 GMT
LIVE on Sky Sports 1

Manchester United

The Red Devils will be targeting a record 19th league title this season but must begin the campaign against an old foe in the form of Newcastle United. The kinds of Manchester were pipped to the 2009/2010 Premier League title by Chelsea last season, in a race which went right down to the wire with Chelsea snatching the crown by a single point. So it was fine margins which ultimately cost the Reds last season, thus proving that not winning those so called ‘easy fixtures’ does come back to haunt you. Sir Alex Ferguson, whom has guided the club to 11 of the 18 league titles Man Utd own, will be driving that home to his players in Monday night’s live encounter despite having the utmost respect for a club which back at their peak was challenging United for major honours.

Games such as these always excite the Old Trafford faithful and it’s going to be another expected sell-out on Monday in the seasons first LIVE Monday night clashes on Sky Sports this season. There is a little recent irony in this fixture in that two seasons ago, Newcastle’s last stint in the Premier League before suffering their first ever relegation from the Premiership, United were drawn against the same exact opponent at Old Trafford for the first game of the season. It wasn’t, though, on a Monday but it’s poignant nevertheless as United dropped points in that encounter when drawing 1-1. As last season shown, United can ill-afford to drop many points this season and that’s certainly the case when it comes to fixtures at their world famous Old Trafford stadium.

Its been another quiet stint in the transfer window for Fergie, whose only signings during pre-season were Chris Smalling (Defender) from Fulham and the talented and very exciting Mexican forward Javier Hernandez. The latter scored twice for his country at the FIFA World Cup in the summer as well as United’s second in the 3-1 Community Shielf victory over Chelsea, helping his team-mates to clinch their first piece of silverware of the season in just his first competitive game for the club. But despite the endless amount of potential of United’s new Mexican starlet, it is unlikely that Hernandez will start against Newcastle on Monday with preference going to Wayne Rooney & Dimitar Berbatov. The latter in particular will be sweating far more now that Hernandez has lit up Manchester and unless he proves he’s worth the £30 million the club paid for him, Berbatov may well find himself dropping down the pecking order. Another big name which won’t play any part on Monday is Rio Ferdinand who misses out through yet another injury. It could mean Chris Smalling be handed his United début.

Newcastle United

In any other situation, if this was any other club, a trip to Old Trafford to take on one of the most successful English team in recent years would be a daunting experience but for Newcastle they’ll be chomping at the bit to get back to Premiership action after spending the previous year down at Championship level. Fans and players alike are just so delighted to be back in the Premier League that they couldn’t care less who they were handed on match day 1, but nothing less than a professional and committed performance from Chris Hughton’s players will be punished by a usually ruthless Manchester United and we only hope the Magpies rise to the occasion.

Newcastle found the Championship a piece of cask last season, romping to the title when winning 30 of their 46 league fixtures and finishing a convincing 11 points above the runners-up, West Brom. They were in cruise control for the most part, losing just four league games all season as well as finishing the season in style by going 17 games unbeaten. To say Newcastle were in a confident and buoyant throughout last season would be an understatement as they really did find life a breeze in the Championship, but the Premiership is a different kettle of fish, a league where mistakes are just about always punished and anything less than a 100% collective effort will see your side despatched with authority.

Whether it is because of a lack of funds we don’t know, but we are shocked to see how quiet Newcastle have been in the transfer market during pre-season, just as quiet as their match day opponents and that’s saying something. Since clinching the 2009/2010 Championship crown, Chris Hughton has brought in just three players ahead of a testing Premier League campaign. Even more baffling was that all three are defenders, with James Perch, Dan Gosling and Sol Campbell all joining the Tyneside outfit over the summer. The latter won’t feature on Monday because of a lack of fitness, while Dan Gosling won’t play until at least December as he recovers from the knee injury sustained when at Everton last season. And with Steven Taylor out with a shoulder injury, it could mean James Perch being the first of the three newbies to make his  début in Newcastle’s first outing of the season, which considering he’s spent his entire career up till now at Championship grade, is alarming. Forward Andy Carroll, who top-scored with 17 goals for the club last season, is also a doubt after picking up a back injury in pre-season.

We have our concerns with Newcastle ahead of their trip to Manchester, with their defence in particular looking make-shift and weak. With no Steven Taylor or Danny Simpson, it means two defenders who haven’t played a whole lot of Premiership football in their careers so far, some possibly having none. This is a league where experience counts for a lot and unless you have the defensive awareness and composure, as well as all the natural components which make any defender one of Premiership quality, there’s a distinct possibility of being found wanting especially against forwards of United’s calibre which are likely to run Newcastle’s defence ragged.

Match Verdict: Manchester United to WIN – 1.25 BetFred

Because of Newcastle’s defensive frailties at the moment, a huge shift is needed from their midfield in order to stand any realistic chance of leaving Old Trafford with something to show for their efforts. But even their midfield looks exposed on paper, with Kevin Nolan the only exception seeing as he was a workhorse in the Bolton team a few seasons ago. But Danny Guthrie and Joey Barton were both part of the Newcastle team which was relegated two seasons ago and unless they’ve learned some new tricks, and some harsh lessons, we’re worried about their inadequacies. Jonas Gutierrez will be their main source of creativity out on the wing, using his blistering pace to get past the United full-backs before whipping in a wide range of crosses. Now that’s a worthwhile tactic seeing as Hughton has any number of forward players which can head the ball. But we don’t really see where or how they will break down a well organised United defence on the ground, so we’re naturally concerned about their chances.

If United’s big guns turn up and perform then we only see one winner. Unlike Newcastle, Alex Ferguson has any number of players with the vision and guile to get in behind an inexperience Premiership defence of Newcastle United. United also have two players desperate to get some noteworthy form under their belts in Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov, who are surely licking their lips at the prospect of bagging a few in this fixture. Rooney endured a miserable World Cup campaign, as well as a poor outing for England in midweek against Hungary, while Berbatov has yet to reach the heights his £30mil price tag suggested he would. But with a tidy defence, a midfield with stability as well as creativity, and an offence to die for, we see nothing less than a comfortable home win for Manchester United.

Match Odds:

Manchester United – 1.25 BetFred
Draw – 6.00 SkyBet
Newcastle United – 15.00 Coral

Soccer-Betting Value Bet: Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov Both to Score – 3.75 SkyBet

 Manchester United V Stoke City

Sunday, 9th May – 16:00 (GMT)

Manchester United

League Position: 2nd
Recent Form: LDWWW

‘Sitting, waiting, wishing’ a song sung by artist Jack Johnson, which summarises Manchester United’s current predicament up perfectly, as Sir Alex sits and waits for a Wigan miracle to land his way at Stamford Bridge. It looks as though United won’t be winning a record fourth Premier League crown in a row, what would have been their 19th first division title overall, but at least United have done their bit by taking this intriguing battle for the championship right down to the wire, piling heaps of pressure onto Chelsea in the process ahead of the final set of Premiership fixture on Sunday. But for the very first time in three years, Alex Ferguson doesn’t look like he will be getting his own way as far as the league title is concerned.

Nani was often overshadowed by Ronaldo last season, mainly because he was rubbish if truth be told, but this season the young Portuguese winger really has come of age, claiming the April Player of the Month for his industrious efforts for the Red Devils last month. It was also his goal, the one and only goal at the Stadium of Light, which ensured this intense race for the title went down to the final day of the season. It does, though, still leave United a point short of the Blues meaning the Reds of Manchester need a huge favour from Wigan Athletic at Stamford Bridge in order for United to be triumphant this Sunday.

It seems a big ask now for United to clinch the Premier League title from Chelsea’s grasp, but as everyone kindly keeps reminding us,‘This is football, and stranger things have happened’. It quotes like that which will keep the spirit in the Manchester United dressing room high, as let’s not forget Ferguson still needs to guide United to a win on Sunday just to be in without a shout. Where United to slip up at home to Stoke, a team who recently lost 7-0 at Chelsea, United would instantly forfeit any slim chance they had of winning the crown.

With Man Utd knowing they must win at Old Trafford in front of an obvious sell-out crowd, victory should be a certainty, surely? Only two sides have beaten the Red Devils at home this season, both of those were stiff opposition, while Sunderland remain the only team to have earned a draw there, so Stoke really don’t stand much of a chance of halting United’s probable in vein sprint to the title. Nevertheless, a professional display is needed from United and we shouldn’t also discount the fact that whenever a goal goes in for United, it will reverberate around Stamford Bridge and that could play a significant part in Chelsea perhaps slipping up against Wigan. Like everyone keeps saying, ‘Anything can happen in football’.

Stoke City

League Position: 13th
Recent Form: WDLLD

Tony Pulis will have suffered nightmares after Stoke’s last encounter with a title contenders ended in Stoke receiving their heaviest ever defeat in the Premier League – Chelsea inflicting a 7-0 loss on the Potters. So, a visit to Manchester’s Stadium of Dreams is far from ideal but you could view it as the footballing Gods giving Stoke one final chance to redeem themselves, show the world that heavy defeats simply aren’t them.

It’s been another impressive Premier League season from Stoke City, with Tony Pulis working yet more magic in keeping a pretty average looking Stoke squad up without any fuss or scares. In fact Pulis has done such a good job that no-one really expects the Potters to even be involved in any relegation scraps. However, with rumours of dressing rooms busts ups leaking through to the media, the summer months could well see several depart as Tony Pulis looks to clear the club of egocentrics and self minded individuals. If ever there was a manager which demanded top-notch team spirit, that camaraderie, it’s Pulis and it will be interesting to see the fresh faces he introduces to the club ahead of next season.

Now, however, Stoke have to play their part in a potentially decisive encounter, as the Potters make their way to Old Trafford aiming to thwart Manchester United’s bid for a fourth successive Premier League crown. If Stoke can somehow avoid defeat in Manchester, they will have single handily scuppered any remaining chance of United lifting the trophy aloft, and we’re certain the Stoke players will celebrate such a feat… behind closed doors of course, as no-one celebrates in front of an irate Ferguson.

If Stoke’s most recent fixture with one of the so called ‘Big Four’ teams is anything to go by, The Potters could be in for a long afternoon. Memories of their 7-0 drubbing at the hands of Chelsea will start to resurface along the way to Old Trafford, a game where Stoke were honestly at their very worst, arguably the poorest team display we’ve seen from them. Their usual organised and robust set up simply wasn’t there, or went missing, either way it wasn’t apparent, while they rarely broke into the final third of the pitch. Stoke will need to have their wits about them at Old Trafford, sprint out of the blocks and ensure everyone knows their specific role. Stoke are a well drilled machine on their day, arguably the most difficult side in the Premiership to break down on their day, but if a cog gets loose then they’re left wide open, as was the case against Chelsea. It’s Tony Pulis’ job to ensure that doesn’t happen in Manchester.

Match Verdict: Manchester United to WIN – 1.13 Bet365

Alex Ferguson has been in this position on more than one occasion, and so, a slip up from his United players really would be a major shock. Against a Stoke City team which has lost their edge, their sharpness and their desire to keep their ‘tough to beat’ status, they really shouldn’t encounter too many problems despatching of the Potters. However, if United want all three points they will need to turn up and put in a performance worthy of a victory. Stoke won’t roll over, despite how bad their 7-0 drubbing away at Chelsea looks just a few weeks ago. In fact, United really do need to storm out of the blocks, grab an early goal so Chelsea then know United are doing their bit, now Chelsea must do the same. Keep piling the pressure on and you never know, Chelsea may just slip up.

Match Odds

Manchester United – 1.13 Bet365
Draw – 9.50 Boylesports
Stoke City – 19.00 Expekt

SoccerBetting Pick: Manchester United to be WINNING after 15 minutes – 3.60 SportingBet