Will United's lack of goal scoring prove to be their nemesis against West Brom?
Luke Moore previews West Brom’s visit to Old Trafford to face Manchester United…
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Man United v West Brom
Saturday, 15:00
Man United
On the surface, things aren’t looking too bad for Manchester United currently. They sit in fourth in the Premier League table, just four points off the top, and have the best defensive record in the top flight (alongside Arsenal).
The problem is a lack of firepower, which appears counter-intuitive when one thinks of a United side. For years, they have been known for their traditionally swashbuckling style, fast counter-attacking play and lots and lots of goals. However, in recent years this has dried up and never more than this season – United come in to this game having failed to score in three of their last four Premier League games.
As intimated earlier though, the rearguard is in good nick. No team in the division has more clean sheets than Louis van Gaal’s men this year.
West Brom
There was a time when you knew what you were going to get from a Tony Pulis side – compact, robust and no silly mistakes – and on occasion we have certainly seen that from West Brom his season. That said, they’ve had some pretty high-scoring encounters peppered throughout the season, not least when losing to Leicester 2-3 last weekend, their third 3-2 defeat of the season.
It’s fair to assume that Pulis will be targeting this game as an opportunity to get a positive result though – United haven’t been firing recently, and the Baggies have a good recent record at Old Trafford winning on their last two trips there. What’s more, West Brom’s defensive lapses have all tended to be at home this season – Opta tell us that the only team to score against them this season on their travels is Crystal Palace.
Chris Brunt is a doubt for the game, but otherwise Pulis has a full-strength squad to choose from.
Match Odds
United are, as you’d probably expect, a pretty short price for this game. They currently sit at 1.35. It’s hard to justify putting them up to back at that price – as I’ve already said, Van Gaal’s men are misfiring in front of goal at the moment and West Brom have won on their last two visits to this ground.
It’s probably somewhat speculative to put up West Brom as a back at 12.50 too, though, despite the admittedly attractive price on team with a pretty good record away from home this term. The Draw sits at 5.40 and has appeal, but I don’t really like backing draws as a rule.
Over/Under 2.5 Goals
Opta tell us that this fixture has, on average, 3.3 goals in it. That figure is clearly somewhat inflated by the 5-5 draw in 2013 however, and the last time the two teams met it resulted in a 0-1 West Brom win. Albion’s defensive lapses have mostly come at home this season, and United are struggling in front of goal, and so a 1.95 price on Unders holds appeal. Overs is available slightly bigger at 2.04.
Double Chance
I am sorely, SORELY tempted by West Brom at 12.50 – it’s such a massive price. But, after tipping up a Swansea win last week and having my fingers burnt, I’m going to hedge a little bit and go with the Double Chance market instead. 3.80 on a draw or away win is very generous indeed and I can’t resist it.
Recommended Bets
Back Draw or Away in Double Chance market at 3.80
Back Under 2.5 Goals at 1.95
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