The first 3D football match and John Terry axed as England captain, football…bloody hell! Aside from drooling over the magnificent victory at the Emirates Manchester United must now refocus their thoughts as attention turns to the visit of the Premier League’s bottom side Portsmouth.
Avram Grant is probably on his way to another brothel to take his mind off the thought of the impending visit to Old Trafford. As United showed their superiority against Arsenal, a signal that the traditional New Year title push is underway, Portsmouth have on the other hand picked up one point in their last five games, are without a win since late October and have not beaten United in the League since 1957.
Manchester United are the classic ‘good things’ for favourite backers with struggling Portsmouth the opposition at Old Trafford this Saturday afternoon.
Odds of just 1.14 (1-7) are for the big bettors or multiple backers only, but it’s hard to argue that United are almost as close to a certainty as you’ll find in the Premier League.
And if you’re just getting started on betting, backing United to win in this game is the easiest ‘win’ you’ll get all year.
On the day we went to the Emirates to spank Arsenal the reserves set out to Norway to play a Norwegian first division side, Stabaek. The side was packed with summer signings like Diouf and Obertan as well as loan returnee, Rodrigo Possebon.
United reserves ran out comfortable winners — 3-0 the final score — with Mame Biram Diouf netting two of them.
Here are brief highlights of the match as well as goals (towards the end of the video)
This was our lineup: United reserve side for game vs Stabaek: Amos, Gray, Brown, Dudgeon, Gill, Obertan, Evans, Norwood, James, Brandy, Diouf. [via @bauck on twitter]
United continued their dream run of the past few weeks; the ten days has been compared to the famous period in 1999 in this Richard Williams piece, but let’s not elevate this to those levels just yet. However, yesterday’s performance — if not the string of them over the past ten days — could perhaps be termed the watershed moment of our season, if this leads us to something of significance, come May.
We kick off today’s preview with a brief word on David Gill’s interview with BBC Sport [read it in full, here]
In the interview he talks Rooney, Ferguson, the ownership, the transfer funds, among other things, and it’s unlikely we’re bound to know something earth-shatteringly new. Such it goes.
Odds of 2.93 (15/8) on a United win away to Arsenal this Sunday? Snap them up now.
That’s a great price on a Reds victory, regardless of the opposition or venue.
Look at it this way: we’ve scored seven goals in our last two fixtures and have already defeated the Gunners this season. And while we’re tearing it up against Hull and City, Arsenal lost 3-1 to Stoke and drew 0-0 to Aston Villa.
But perhaps the main argument for a Reds victory is the fact that we have the in-form player in Europe leading the line for us. With five goals in a week, any team that boasts Wayne Rooney has a good chance of winning.
Only one week ago a Carlos Tevez brace gave Manchester City a slender 2-1 lead over Manchester United in the Carling Cup Semi-Final 1st Leg, but as United strolled to a 4-0 victory over Hull at the weekend, they sent out a clear message. We are top dogs in Manchester and will not be giving cup the trophy without a fight, Wayne Rooney is in inspired form and Sir Alex Ferguson will be going all out for victory.
City have won the League Cup on two previous occasions and coincidently the Final comes exactly 34 years after the last won the trophy, their last trophy. So the fans, players and management will be well aware of what this game means, especially as it is against bitter rivals United.
It’s never a good game when United lose but, amid disappointment and controversy, punters’ should remember that the first leg of this Carling Cup semi-final was a cracker. Manchester derbies are fast becoming the most hottest clashes in England and that can only be a good thing.
A demolition of Hull, made complete especially in the last ten minutes, should hold United in good stead ahead of more challenging encounters against City and Arsenal.
Wayne Rooney was majestic, and not just his four goals, as he looks well on course to comfortably exceed his past season scoring records.
Odds of 2.93 (15/8) on a United win away to Arsenal this Sunday? 
