English Premier
2008-05-03 - Manchester United vs West Ham United
A Sports Betting Pick by Cruiser
Analysis:Manchester United welcomes the visit of West Ham to Old Trafford and despite a tough 1-0 win in midweek against Barcelona to qualify for the final of the Champions League, they know they must win here as the Hammers have won the last three league meetings against them.
The Red Devils cannot afford to be complacent here as the last five meetings between the two sides have all been won by a one-goal margin. They must bounce back after the 2-1 defeat against Chelsea means they title race is wide open at the top as the Blues are currently level on points at the top, although the reigning champions' vastly superior goal difference keeps them in the driving seat.
United will be glad that they are playing at Old Trafford as they have managed just one win in their last four games, with three of those games coming away from home. However the match which will be played at home is a real boost especially after they beat Barcelona in midweek with a Paul Scholes goal. Sir Alex Ferguson hopes that the confidence after reaching the final would help the team to get wins in their final two more games and with the healthy goal difference go on and retain their title.
For this match Wayne Rooney and Patrice Evra will be given a late fitness test before kickoff to prove their fitness as Nemanja Vidic has already been ruled out. Wes Brown should come into the side and partner Rio Ferdinand and Owen Hargreaves will slot in at right back.
There is a possibility that Mikael Silvestre to start at centre-half after he came on in the dying minutes against Barcelona. Should he feature then Wes Brown would have to start at right back. This would depend if Evra is not pass fit then Brown will start on the left anyway. Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes could be rested after featuring against Barcelona in midweek.
The player to watch out here will be Carlos Tevez as last season he single handedly helped West Ham to stay in the Premiership and now his task will be to help Manchester United to win the title at the Theatre of Dreams against his former club. His main task is to stop the Red Devils’s three game losing streak against The Hammers.
As for Alan Curbishley he has a depleted side to choose from but will be grateful that Dean Ashton will play after he recovered from tonsillitis to play against Newcastle United last week. The likes of Bobby Zamora, Carlton Cole or Freddie Sears should partner him in attack.
Julien Faubert is a casualty after he was withdrawn against Newcastle due to a tight hamstring, while Freddie Ljungberg is out for the rest of the season after suffering cracked ribs in the draw against Newcastle. Anton Ferdinand will not play against his brother Rio Ferdinand as this game has come too soon for him. He is back doing light training and should be fit to face Aston Villa next weekend. Matthew Upson and Jonathan Spector are also casualties until the season is over. The Hammers still has a long list of absentees which includes Craig Bellamy, Lee Bowyer, James Collins, Calum Davenport, Kieron Dyer, Matthew Etherington, Danny Gabbison and Nigel Quashie.
Take Manchester United to win this match and give the 1 3/4 ball away here.
Cheers and good luck,
Cruiser
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Manchester United to win 2-0 or 3-0
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take Manchester United to win this match.
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
Take Manchester United and give the 1 3/4 ball here.
