English Premier
2011-08-14 - West Brom vs Manchester United
A Sports Betting Pick by Lamps
Football : England : Premier League
Sunday 14th August - Kickoff 4:00pm
West Brom
West Brom enters the new season with high optimism following their 11th placed finish last season. Yet it was far from optimistic for long spells last time out as the club was left in 17th place and just 5 points ahead of the relegation zone when Roberto Di Matteo was sacked. However, Roy Hodgson took charge following an awful time at Liverpool to finish an incredible 11th! This year Hodgson’s men kick off with a horrible clash at home to champions Manchester United in the live 4pm game.
Some would argue that Di Matteo’s sacking was harsh, West Brom were out of the bottom 3 at the time of his sacking but he did come back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at Old Trafford against United and also masterminded an incredible 3-2 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates. Still that’s history and it’s now Roy’s team and whilst I don’t think they will finish 11th I don’t see them as direct relegation candidates.
Under Hodgson the side improved drastically but the same problem was apparent, this team can’t defend. With just 2 clean sheets all season this was by the far the worst in the Premiership with 1 coming right at the start of the season and 1 right at the end. Either way it’s fair to say over the summer this is the key area to improve.
The response to this poor defence was the shrewd addition of Ben Foster from local neighbours Birmingham on loan. Foster is an International keeper who was brilliant last year and saved Birmingham on many occasions, I think he alone should add at least a couple of clean sheets. Hodgson is still in the market for another centre back despite signing McAuley from Preston but unfortunately for him United visit THIS Sunday.
Scoring goals wasn’t a problem with Odemwingie scoring 15 goals last year whilst the team ended the season on a 12 game scoring streak and were only shutout at home on 2 occasions, only United and Blackpool can rival this stat. West Brom at home are always a handful and I don’t think this changes on Sunday afternoon.
With an already impressive attacking lineup, Hodgson has signed home favourite Gera and the highly rated 24 year old Irish striker Shane Long who was fantastic last season at Reading. Gera offers width and can play behind the striker or even alongside if necessary whilst Long is just a predator who doesn’t stop running all day, his pace is very good but is a little similar to Odemwingie.
Notable players to leave the Hawthorns over the summer included Carson who was frozen out towards the end of the season anyways along with Meite, Zuiverloon and Allsopp. With Foster replacing Carson and McAuley in for one of the leaving defenders WBA have replaced what they had with better players and should improve as a defensive unit.
Team news is that Gera is suspended with a 3-match ban and won’t feature until September, other than that noone has been ruled out indefinitely. That being said there’s currently 5 players all rated as doubtful and are quite important players. McAuley, Mulumbu, Odemwingie, Reid and Thomas are doubts with Reid, McAuley and Thomas looking the most likely to miss out. The good news is top goalscorer Odemwingie should start but with United coming to town I can’t see Hodgson playing two strikers so Long should start this game on the bench.
Predicted West Brom Lineup:
Foster, Jara, Tamas, Olsson, Shorey; Brunt, Mulumbu, Scharner, Dorrans, Tchoyi; Odemwingie.
Manchester United
Champions United open their account this year away to WBA a side that pushed them hard in last year’s game at the Hawthorns. United won 2-1 but that was after Odemwingie missed a penalty, it was just another game in United’s season that went their way as they seem to always do! But the threat is there and I’m sure Sir Alex won’t underestimate this very talented WBA side.
When you’re the best team in the league you’d think that it’s the others who need to improve but this has not been the case with United splashing out over 50 million on 3 very good players.
Ashley Young (£17.0m), David De Gea (£18.9m) and Phil Jones (£16.50m) have arrived to bolster all parts of the field. De Gea is a very talented young keeper that has the epic task of replacing Van Der Saar and if he’s successful at just 20 years old he could dominate this league for over a decade. Jones only 19 is a versatile defender who can also help out in midfield, I don’t think he’s a sure starter this year but with Rio and Vidic often picking up niggles as they did last year he is an important player to have on standby.
Finally Young the “granddad” of the three aged 25 is a superb attacking midfielder who should provide lots of chances for the United strikers as well as getting a few himself. He took penalties and most set pieces at Villa and with him now feature more at International level he’s definitely one for the present and the future.
I mention Van Der Saar left this summer (retired), the same can be said for Scholes whilst Hargreaves was released by the club. Other exits include the long serving duo of O’Shea and Brown who both left to join Sunderland. It has meant that United were one or two players light defensively but with Jones coming in and Smalling ever improving they should cope with these absentees.
It’s hard picking a place to start with United, last season they were incredibly efficient despite being described as average by many pundits throughout the year. They average over 1.50 goals on the road which only Chelsea and Arsenal could better and failed to score just 5 times but all were away from home. In terms of clean sheets only Chelsea (11) and rivals City (12) beat United (10) but the Rio. Vidic combo didn’t start a great deal of games together, if they remain fit this team will be even harder to break down.
Team news for Sunday is that Hernandez Is out with concussion and doubts remain over Carrick, Evra, Valencia and Fletcher. It’s highly likely that the last two will miss out with news that Ferguson has pencilled them in to play a reserve team game on Monday. Carrick should be ok but after his impressive performance in the Community Shield Cleverley should partner Anderson in the middle of the park. Evra should be fine and will join Vidic and Ferdinand at the back but the right back slot is open with Smalling and Rafael fighting over it. Going forward I’m expecting Rooney play up top alone with Young, Nani and possibly Park supporting.
Predicted United Lineup:
De Gea, Smalling, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra; Nani, Anderson, Cleverley, Young; Rooney, Park.
The Betting Verdict
Having won on the last 6 visits to the Hawthorns, United must see the place as a home away from home. Despite Hodgson improving the side last year and over the summer you can’t look beyond an away win here.
Both sides have a few injury worries but United’s depth is strong and trio of Young, Nani and Rooney looked incredibly sharp last week in the 3-2 win over Man City and should cause WBA problems all afternoon.
I never like taking big handicaps on the opening day so instead I’ll just stick to the away win here as I feel United have too much class all over the field for a spirited WBA side. Away Win.
Good Luck.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
West Brom 1-2 Man United
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take Manchester United to win at 1.60 @ Pinnaclesports
