MANCHESTER UNITED v OTELUL GALATI
Football : Europe : Champions League
Wednesday 2nd November - Kickoff 7:45pm

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Manchester United

Man United finally opened their win account in Group C with a hard thought victory in Romania against Galati. The win leaves the Red Devils with 5 points which is good enough for second in the group. Current leaders Benfica lead United by 2pts but with the Portuguese still to visit Old Trafford, winning the group is still in their hands.

Ferguson's side haven't had things their own way in the group being held at Benfica (1-1) and then at home to Basel 3-3 in a game that really exposed United's fragile back line.

However, last time out United produced a dominant display to see off Galati (2-0) thanks to 2 Rooney penalties as United had Vidic sent off for a straight red card. A win this week at home against the Romanians will put United in a strong position to not only qualify but also to win the group.

The Red Devils have been dominant at Old Trafford, unfortunately their recent loss to City broke their 37 game unbeaten run as well a 19 game winning streak. This of course is a domestic record but their European home form isn't too bad either. United have won 4 of their last 6 games beating Schalke, Chelsea, Marseille and Bursaspor although they have been held by Valencia and last time out to Basel.

Team news is that Ferrgy will ring the changes with Vidic suspended as well as rotating his side. Lindegaard, Ferdinand, Fabio, Carrick, Park and Nani should return whilst Smalling and Young remain injured. I still expect Rooney and Hernandez to start up front as Ferguson will want this game won as soon as possible.

Predicted Man United Lineup:
Lindegaard, Ferdinand, Jones, Evra, Fabio, Carrick, Anderson, Park, Nani, Rooney, Hernandez.

Otelul Galati

3 games played and 3 defeats for the Romanians has left them in awful spot in the group with 0 points. Qualification looks impossible now bar a miracle 3 straight wins and the best they can hope for is a Europa League spot which also looks very unlikely.

Galati has lost 2-1 in Basel, 1-0 at home to Benfica and then last time out also at home to United 2-0. With just 1 goal scored in those 3 games it seems incredibly unlikely that the side will get goals at Old Trafford.

What is even more worrying is that the side is just 8th in the domestic league. They have won the last 2 games so confidence is a little higher than when they squared off in the first game. However, I don't like what the manager has been saying before the game. In the first encounter he said he didn't want his side to get embarrassed and virtually defended all game. This time he has said something similar but with United at home and 11 v 11 this game be the embarrassment he was fearing from a few weeks back.

Team news is that Perendija is missing following his red card last time out with Sarghi most likely to take his place. Punosevac will play alone up top in an isolated role in which he must retain possession when Galati counter. Last time out Filip and Antal had good games against United from the middle of the park and they must be counted this week if Galati is to cause a massive upset.

Predicted Otelul Galati Lineup:
Grahovac, Rapa, Sarghi, Costin, Antal, Frunza,Filip, Salageanu, Neagu, Giurgiu, Punosevac.

The Betting Verdict

Galati will not have played at venues like Old Trafford before and may get overwhelmed in front of 80,000 fans. United will look to win this and win it well and I feel Galati may be put to the sword in this one.

After Basel scored 3 here last time, I can't see United making the same mistakes and with Rooney and Hernandez starting this should be a routine win for Ferguson's side.

The 1.1 is brutal and no one should take this for a home win. Instead I'll take a chance on the any time scorer market which presents the most value in this game.

Man United could win this by 3 or 4 if they wanted but I'm not happy to back them on big spreads just yet. Instead I'll go for Hernandez any time which is priced at a large 1.91 at VCBet.

Other bookies have this at 1.57, the match winner on Sunday will be full of confidence and I fancy him to net in a routine United win.

Good Luck.

The Statistics :

The Pick :

Manchester United 3-0 Galati

PERCENTAGE ESTIMATE :

Man United 80%- Draw 15%- Galati 5%

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take Hernandez any time scorer at 1.91 @ VCBet