Saturday, 15:00
Tough times for Terriers
Three games into the season, Huddersfield must have been wondering what all the fuss was about. The Premier League, that stiffest of footballing challenges, was bending to their will. Wins over Crystal Palace and Newcastle were followed by a creditable draw against Southampton - their third clean sheet on the spin. Everything seemed easy.
Things haven't gone quite so smoothly since. The Terriers have claimed just two points from the last 15 available, meaning they start the weekend just three points above the dropzone. With those below them beginning to stir and some tough fixtures coming up (they also face Liverpool, Man City, Arsenal and Chelsea in their next nine games), the picture could yet get more grim.
Not that head coach David Wagner is getting too negative just yet. "I am full of confidence and have every trust and belief in the group," he said this week. We know what we have to do to be successful." Selection-wise, there may be a recall for left-back Chris Löwe, who was dropped for the trip to Swansea after a bad game against Spurs.
United growing in Mourinho's image
Last weekend's match against Liverpool was not much to write home about, but a point from a trip to Anfield was another good result for José Mourinho and Manchester United. They may not quite be able to match the attacking majesty of their city rivals, but this is clearly a team that is going to take some shaking this season: after eight games, only one player - Stoke's Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting - has netted against them in the Premier League.
There have been two more clean sheets in Europe, the latest coming against Benfica on Wednesday night. That helped them maintain their 100% start in that competition, even if some of the attackers had a night to forget. After just a single, fortuitous goal across the last 180 minutes of action, there may be some retribution on Saturday afternoon.
Marcus Rashford could be out this weekend with a suspected knee injury, while centre-back Eric Bailly is likely to miss out again. But Phil Jones, who seems to be rated as a doubt by his manager every week, will probably return to the starting XI after a rest in midweek.
United unlikely to be troubled
Going purely on form, it is impossible to look past Manchester United here. They have been imperious in the Premier League, with only that surprise 2-2 draw at Stoke really blotting their copybook thus far. They will be going to the John Smith's Stadium to win and can be backed to do so at 1.37.
That price isn't the most compelling, so it is worth looking for some extra juice in another market. The fact that Huddersfield have scored just twice in their last seven games (all competitions), coupled with United's fantastic defensive record, means the 9/10 available on the Red Devils to win to nil is worth snapping up.
Hosts may not contribute in goal stakes
With the Terriers unlikely to contribute much, the goal markets aren't enormously appealing. United have cut loose a number of times already this term, but the recent trips to Southampton, Liverpool and Benfica failed to produce fireworks and they have clearly missed the attacking thrust of Paul Pogba since his injury. You can back over 2.5 goals at 2.00, which seems fair enough, but this could very easily be a routine 2-0 away win.
Lukaku can return to scoring ways
Huddersfield's troubles in the final third are reflected in the prices for anytime goalscorers: their most likely threat is Thomas Ince at 4.30. The more attractive options will be wearing red this weekend, with Romelu Lukaku the pick at 1.72. The Belgian has gone two games without a goal for the first time this season and will be keen to get back on the horse here.
Recommended Bet
Back Manchester United to win to nil at 9/10
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