Manchester United VS Bolton Wanderers
17/10/2009, 22:00
17/10/2009, 22:00
Manchester United (2nd) 6-1-1 19:8
Manchester United will be looking to bounce back to winning ways after drawing 2-2 with Sunderland in their last league fixture - with a performance that got manager Alex Ferguson ranting about referees fitness - when we're all pretty sure that it was United's midfield that was really the reason for getting hot under the collar.
United have not been destroying opponents at Old Trafford this season though, with three wins all by a single goal margin before that 2-2 draw with Sunderland, and I'm not sure that Ferguson can change the pattern too much, with the international break meaning that the team was scattered to many corners of the globe.
With the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, and the absence of a ready-made midfiled replacement, Wayne Rooney has stepped up to be the major goal scoring focus for United.
UPDATE:
Wayne Rooney will NOT play on Saturday, as he is still struggling with a calf strain when playing against Ukraine for England.
Goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar will make his first appearance of the season, but Dimitar Berbatov could miss out following the birth of his first child reports the BBC? (Really? I'd be amazed if Berbatov does not play)
Bolton Wanderers (13th) 2-2-3 10:11
Bolton Wanderers might be sitting in 13th place in the table, but the Wanderers are unbeaten in their last five games (including Carling Cup), and have won their last two away games in the Premier League.
One factor weighing large against Bolton is their recent head to head record at United, with six straight losses at Old Trafford in the Premier League, and a losing 1-1-4 record at the Reebok Stadium as well in the same period.
(team news online Friday)
The Betting Verdict
It's clear to everyone that this Manchester United side miss Ronaldo in midfield, but the Red Devils still have too much for most sides when the game is played at Old Trafford.
Sunderland's 2-2 draw here in the last fixture will do for extra motivation for both sides, but the question is whether Bolton can break their awful record here.
I think United will find ways to score and win - but I'd want to hear confirmation that Rooney is playing first.
THE PICK:
Manchester United 2-1 Bolton Wanderers
Manchester United 2-1 Bolton Wanderers
PERCENTAGE ESTIMATE:
Manchester United 75% - Draw 19% - Bolton Wanderers 6%
Manchester United 75% - Draw 19% - Bolton Wanderers 6%
FIXED ODDS BETTING:
MANCHESTER UNITED TO WIN is the most likely result.
MANCHESTER UNITED TO WIN is the most likely result.
but once again that's going to be a popular public pick and the bookmaker prices are not really near fair value (of 1.33).
one to avoid given the Rooney absence?
one to avoid given the Rooney absence?
