Manchester United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
Manchester United need to be on their game this weekend or else the players and their passionate fans at Old Trafford may get a nasty bite!
The big Saturday match in the Premier League is the Manchester United-Wolves game, and that is a clash that we can really get our teeth into. In years gone by, we could happily say ‘home win’…but that’s no longer the case.
One of the most exciting young Portuguese managers will be out for blood and Manchester United’s Jose Mourinho better get ready. Because Nuno Espirito Santo has taken his expensively assembled team to Manchester in high spirits, and they fear no-one.
Jose is a past master though, and he knows how to win games. His squad is on another level but, come 3 pm at Old Trafford when they cross the white line, it might just come down to which set of players wants in more.
Talking Points
Manchester United are returning from Switzerland after a Champions League win over Young Boys in Berne. Paul Pogba scored twice in the first half, one world-class strike and then a penalty.
The France star had been given the captain’s armband, maybe Jose’s way of telling him he’s wanted at Old Trafford. Well, he seemed happy enough last night and that can’t be a bad thing for the Red Devils.
Maybe part of the reason why some fans and sections of the media have fallen out of love with the Manchester United is their ability to win ugly—a relatively new phenomenon at the Theatre of Dreams. It would be fantastic to see them play with the swashbuckling style of yore, particularly against a team with just the same philosophy. But United’s strength is now exactly that, its strength.
In Nemanja Matic, Pogba and Marouane Fellaini, they have a midfield of giants, all fine players averaging 6-foot-four. But their most potent threat comes in the shape of 6-foot-3 powerhouse Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian striker is the perfect combination of pace, power and skill. He has already scored four league goals this season and is sure to test the visitors’ rearguard.
The Wolves spent big to assemble a Premier League squad capable of dominating the Championship last season, which it did. There were complaints from some second-tier clubs when Nuno Espirito Santo brought in the likes of £16 million Ruben Neves who simply ripped up the league. But the Wolves don’t care and the wealthy owners have carried on, with the most notable recruit being the quite brilliant Portugal keeper Rui Patricio.
Rivals can moan about financial fair play all they like, but the Wolves have assembled a ready-made mid-table Premier League squad.
Last week’s 1-0 win over Burnley didn’t tell the whole story. The Wolves had an amazing 30 shots, and that against a defence famed for protecting its keeper last season. Raul Jimenez scored the only goal of the game, but the hosts could have been the headline of Premier League 2018 news with a hatful.
Right wing back Matt Doherty was superb at both ends of the pitch, and one of this summer’s recruits Joao Moutinho ran the game from the middle of the park.
Nuno’s Portuguese all-stars are the only side to take a point off champions Manchester City so far. Just think what they could do if they can persuade Cristiano Ronaldo to head to Molineux!
History
The Wolves arrive at Old Trafford on the back of three consecutive wins in all competitions, and they have their tails well and truly up.
United have won four and lost three from the last seven, and their most recent home game resulted in a 0-3 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.
As you’d expect, the head-to-head record weighs heavily in the hosts’ favour, as most of the clashes were during the Red Devils’ period of league domination. United have won nine of the 11 meetings in the Premier League era to Wolves’ two.
Furthermore, the visitors will be trying to forget the two meetings they had with United in their last stint in the top division—the Red Devils won both, scoring nine goals to one.
But this is a very different Wolves side, and a very different Manchester United.
Betting Tip
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Manchester United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers | Total Goal 2-3 @ 1.96 |
| September 22, 22:00 (GMT+8) |
SBOBET fans will see plenty of Wolves victories this season, but can they spring a surprise at Old Trafford?
Well, they certainly have the ability, but whether they have the top-flight nous is another question. The Premier League 2018 odds tip Manchester United to win at 1.59, with Wolves at 5.80 and the draw 3.70.
I can see a tight game, but both teams know where the net is. Over 2.50 goals is odds-on at 1.89, with Under 2.50 is at 2.01.
An alternative idea, and one which will make one coach happy, is a Double Chance Wolves or Draw @ 2.25.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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 = €20 (Highly confident) |
= €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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