The busy period of Premier League fixtures is about to come to an end with two matches rounding off the festive programme on Wednesday, before taking a break with the FA Cup taking precedence next weekend (totesport – football).
Newcastle v Manchester United 8pm
There have been one or two surprising results over the New Year with the battery of fixtures a possible factor but these two clubs can have no complaints having relatively long periods between fixtures – Newcastle played on Friday night while United were in action on Saturday lunchtime.
Of course that is not too say that the two do not have problems with the Magpies poor run of form continuing after a 3-1 defeat at Anfield, while an injury-hit United side were surprisingly beaten by strugglers Blackburn at Old Trafford.
United’s defeat did not prove too costly as it happens as neighbours City suffered a shock 1-0 reverse at Sunderland and Sir Alex Ferguson will be hoping his players can bounce back.
Wayne Rooney was a surprise absentee from a threadbare squad at the weekend – reportedly due to disciplinary reasons – but he is set to return to the lineup on Wednesday and will be a key player for the champions.
United have been installed as the 8/11 favourites in the match betting, which is perhaps unsurprising given the fact they are level on points at the top of the table and are yet to taste defeat on their Premier League travels this season.
However, there could be some value to be had in opposing the Red Devils with Newcastle available at 9/2 and the draw at 12/5, depending on the squad that Ferguson takes to St James’ Park.
Blackburn were restricted to a handful of chances at Old Trafford but still scored three goals, with a makeshift defence struggling to cope while question marks re-appeared over David de Gea’s goalkeeping credentials.
Rio Ferdinand is close to making a comeback but whether he is fit for Wednesday remains to be seen, although the Magpies have hit a poor run of form since securing a point in a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford in November, winning just one (against Bolton) of the following six games.
The defence has started to leak goals as well, having conceded at least three goals in four off those games, which is a worrying sign with United coming to town.
There certainly looks as though there will be goals in the fixture (Over 2.5 goals – 5/6) and Demba Ba has to be considered in the goalscoring markets (7/1 First/Last, 15/8 Anytime) as he has already bagged 14 this season – including the equaliser at Old Trafford, albeit from a dubious penalty.
Everton v Bolton 8pm
This match appears to be in complete contrast to the other match taking place on Wednesday, in the sense that goals could be very much at a premium when Bolton travel to Everton.
The Toffees have put together a four-match unbeaten run since a 1-0 reverse at Arsenal but have scored only one goal in those games, while they are the second-worst scorers at home, behind West Brom, in the Premier League.
However, David Moyes’ men set themselves up to be hard to beat and they are strong 1/2 favourites to heap further misery on Bolton Wanderers, who are on offer at 13/2 while the draw can be backed at 3/1.
It is not hard to see why Everton are fancied to win but there will be some who think the betting is too short, particularly as Bolton have won three times on the road, despite lying bottom of the table.
The last time Everton scored twice was when these two met at the Reebok in November but they were given a helping hand by the fact David Wheater was sent off in the 20th-minute – and they still only managed to score twice.
Both managers may well be relieved the transfer window has opened, providing they have funds to bring in some new blood but neither squad has a standout scorer and there looks like they might struggle on Wednesday (Under 2.5 Goals 5/6).
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Monday night saw Manchester United arguably strike a serious psychological blow to Arsenal’s title hope as Sir Alex Ferguson’s men reclaimed top spot. We examine how United’s 1-0 win, plus the other Premier League results, have affected the title race (outright and match prices on totesport.com).