Manchester United v West Brom
Saturday April 01, 15:00
Manchester United
Fixture congestion is often a sign of success, and with Manchester United in the last eight of the Europa League, they now face a month packed with nine games. United boss Jose Mourinho is sticking with his somewhat disingenuous narrative about his squad being stretched, and he has hit out at international friendlies, after he lost centre-backs Phil Jones and Chris Smalling while they were on England duty.
There's no doubt that United have a long list of absentees. Top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic and midfielder Ander Herrera are still suspended, while Wayne Rooney and Paul Pogba are injured. That said, I still maintain that the Red Devils have the deepest squad in England, and fleet-footed operators like Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Marcus Rashford could cause the West Brom defence all kinds of problems.
Opta tell us that United have put together an 18-match unbeaten run in the league, and have conceded just two goals at Old Trafford in all competitions since the turn of the year. Mourinho's men have won three of their last four league matches, and they haven't lost at Old Trafford since a derby defeat to Manchester City all the way back in September.
West Brom
Having spent a few years covering the West Midlands in my career, I'm well aware that most West Brom fans are unlikely to ever take Premier League football for granted. It's been a rare slice of bliss for the Baggies, knowing they have been safe from relegation since February. But with that safety comes a new challenge - how does boss Tony Pulis maintain any kind of momentum between now and the end of the season?
West Brom find themselves seven points adrift of seventh-placed Everton, and seven clear of Stoke, who are ninth. Pulis has seen his side suffer humbling thrashings at Spurs and Everton in recent weeks, but a superb 3-1 win over Arsenal before the international break was a timely reminder of what Albion are capable of.
Pulis has had plenty of praise from his opposite number Jose Mourinho. The United boss says Pulis deserves recognition for his incredible ability to avoid relegation with the likes of WBA, Crystal Palace and Stoke City. With that aim once again achieved, the Welsh tactician will now use the remaining nine games of the campaign to assess his squad ahead of next season.
With a busy week on the horizon, Pulis says he will shuffle his pack, and he has indicated that the likes of James McClean, Nacer Chadli and Salomon Rondon could all be on the bench.
Match Odds
Opta tell us that United have drawn three of their last four Premier League home games, but even with so many absentees, I fancy them to win this game with a bit to spare. Much has been made of Albion's two recent wins at Old Trafford, but the last of those was nearly two years ago. I'm more interested in WBA's recent batterings at Spurs (4-0) and Everton (3-0), and an away record that hasn't seen them win on the road since New Year's Eve.
United are pretty short outright at 1.38, but I'm happy to back the hosts -1.5 on the Asian Handicap at [2.13]. If United win by two goals or more, we get an odds-against winner.
Over/Under 2.5 Goals
The market is split here, with unders the slight outsider at 2.04. United's last four Premier League home games have featured fewer than three goals, as have their last four league meetings between the sides.
If you want a counterargument, it's worth noting that Albion have leaked ten goals in their last four PL away games, and they haven't kept a clean sheet anywhere for nearly two months.
To Score
Teenage striker Marcus Rashford hasn't scored in the league since September for Manchester United, but he's likely to start here, and his pace makes him worth considering at 2.16. Mkhitaryan has netted three goals in his last five matches, and is certainly worth a look at 2.80.
For WBA, Craig Dawson scored twice against Arsenal, and is a threat from set plays. He's trading at a hefty 16.50 to find the net in 90 minutes.
Recommended Bet
Back Manchester United -1.5 on the Asian Handicap at [2.13]
Saturday April 01, 15:00
Manchester United
Fixture congestion is often a sign of success, and with Manchester United in the last eight of the Europa League, they now face a month packed with nine games. United boss Jose Mourinho is sticking with his somewhat disingenuous narrative about his squad being stretched, and he has hit out at international friendlies, after he lost centre-backs Phil Jones and Chris Smalling while they were on England duty.
There's no doubt that United have a long list of absentees. Top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic and midfielder Ander Herrera are still suspended, while Wayne Rooney and Paul Pogba are injured. That said, I still maintain that the Red Devils have the deepest squad in England, and fleet-footed operators like Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Marcus Rashford could cause the West Brom defence all kinds of problems.
Opta tell us that United have put together an 18-match unbeaten run in the league, and have conceded just two goals at Old Trafford in all competitions since the turn of the year. Mourinho's men have won three of their last four league matches, and they haven't lost at Old Trafford since a derby defeat to Manchester City all the way back in September.
West Brom
Having spent a few years covering the West Midlands in my career, I'm well aware that most West Brom fans are unlikely to ever take Premier League football for granted. It's been a rare slice of bliss for the Baggies, knowing they have been safe from relegation since February. But with that safety comes a new challenge - how does boss Tony Pulis maintain any kind of momentum between now and the end of the season?
West Brom find themselves seven points adrift of seventh-placed Everton, and seven clear of Stoke, who are ninth. Pulis has seen his side suffer humbling thrashings at Spurs and Everton in recent weeks, but a superb 3-1 win over Arsenal before the international break was a timely reminder of what Albion are capable of.
Pulis has had plenty of praise from his opposite number Jose Mourinho. The United boss says Pulis deserves recognition for his incredible ability to avoid relegation with the likes of WBA, Crystal Palace and Stoke City. With that aim once again achieved, the Welsh tactician will now use the remaining nine games of the campaign to assess his squad ahead of next season.
With a busy week on the horizon, Pulis says he will shuffle his pack, and he has indicated that the likes of James McClean, Nacer Chadli and Salomon Rondon could all be on the bench.
Match Odds
Opta tell us that United have drawn three of their last four Premier League home games, but even with so many absentees, I fancy them to win this game with a bit to spare. Much has been made of Albion's two recent wins at Old Trafford, but the last of those was nearly two years ago. I'm more interested in WBA's recent batterings at Spurs (4-0) and Everton (3-0), and an away record that hasn't seen them win on the road since New Year's Eve.
United are pretty short outright at 1.38, but I'm happy to back the hosts -1.5 on the Asian Handicap at [2.13]. If United win by two goals or more, we get an odds-against winner.
Over/Under 2.5 Goals
The market is split here, with unders the slight outsider at 2.04. United's last four Premier League home games have featured fewer than three goals, as have their last four league meetings between the sides.
If you want a counterargument, it's worth noting that Albion have leaked ten goals in their last four PL away games, and they haven't kept a clean sheet anywhere for nearly two months.
To Score
Teenage striker Marcus Rashford hasn't scored in the league since September for Manchester United, but he's likely to start here, and his pace makes him worth considering at 2.16. Mkhitaryan has netted three goals in his last five matches, and is certainly worth a look at 2.80.
For WBA, Craig Dawson scored twice against Arsenal, and is a threat from set plays. He's trading at a hefty 16.50 to find the net in 90 minutes.
Recommended Bet
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