by Tom Allen
Manchester United created a very favourable impression on Sunday when getting
the better of Chelsea in the Community Shield and should hit the Premier League
ground running with a routine victory over Newcastle on Monday evening.
The Red Devils came up just a point short last term, behind Chelsea, of a
record fourth consecutive title but they were crippled by defensive injuries at
the turn of the year and things might have been a whole lot different for Sir
Alex Ferguson's side were that not the case.
The fact that the legendary Scottish manager has failed to significantly
strengthen his squad over the summer has been highlighted by many writing off
the Old Trafford club yet again, Javier Hernandez and Chris Smalling are the
only arrivals to date, but Fergie can call upon an army of talented
internationals once more and it may prove significant that the majority of his
squad were absent in South Africa for World Cup 2010.
Wayne Rooney's dismal efforts, along with the rest of the England team, made
the headlines but the vast majority of the Manchester United team had their feet
up in June and July, Nemanja Vidic and Ji-Sung Park the notable exceptions, and
their relative freshness could be crucial come next May.
Following Sunday's win, United were clipped by all firms to general 5/2
second favourites for the Premier League crown and if they are to challenge for
top honours then their form at the Theatre of Dreams will once again need to be
strong.
Both United and Chelsea steamrollered virtually all opposition in front of
their own fans last season and more of the same is expected this time around.
Having failed to win just six of their last 38 league matches at home over
the past two seasons it is no surprise to see United installed at no bigger than
1/4 with Victor Chandler and
Bet
365 to start with maximum points.
However, just three goals were scored at Old Trafford by visiting sides that
finished in the bottom half last term and United are tipped to defy a one goal
handicap which is seemingly where the value lies.
A 4/5 chance with
Blue
Square, only 4/7 with Stan James, the 2008 Champions League winners will
have nothing to fear from opponents who returned to the top flight at the first
time of asking under manager Chris Houghton and Newcastle have defensive worries
ahead of the clash.
Long-term injury victims Danny Simpson and the influential Steven Taylor will
not make the trip and in their absence it is James Perch and Mike Williamson who
are likely to deputise. Neither has any experience at this sort of level however
and, with Rooney, Nani, Antonio Valencia and the like ready to pounce, United
should prevail by at least a two goal margin.
As big as 1,000/1 shots to cause a massive surprise and somehow claim English
football's biggest prize, the Magpies are only 4/1 with
Ladbrokes to be relegated at the end of the campaign and that is an accurate
reflection of their capabilities.
I expect the St James' Park club to be too good to go down, midfielder Kevin
Nolan will be a key figure throughout the season, but they couldn't have asked
for a tougher assignment first time out and anything other than a comprehensive
defeat would be an unexpected achievement.
Elsewhere on a surprisingly intriguing opening weekend, there are rarely as
many attractive sets of first day fixtures as in 2010, the highlight comes on
Sunday when Roy Hodgson's Liverpool host Arsenal.
The Reds, under the guidance of their new manager for the very first time,
are 6/4 across the board, only 11/8 with
888sport, and with home advantage that price is understandable. However,
Arsenal have a decent recent record at Anfield, including Andriy Arshavin's
memorable four-goal cameo, and Liverpool will also be without the once again
crocked Fernando Torres.
At a standout 2/1 with
Paddy Power, there are worse bets in the Premier League this weekend than
the Gunners to oblige on their travels and they certainly appeal at that price
significantly more than Manchester City do against the Gunner's North London
rivals 24 hours earlier.
City, who have endured such a poor pre-season, would be delighted to return
to Eastlands with an opening day point but Spurs very rarely get beat at White
Hart Lane these days under Harry Redknapp and I'm expecting Roman Pavlyuchenko
to make an impact season.
The Russian striker, so frustrated during his first 12 months in the capital,
blossomed towards the end of the last campaign and he could soon displace
Jermain Defoe as Tottenham's main striker if that form continues.
3pts Back Manchester United (-1, vs. Newcastle) @ 4/5 (Blue
Square)
