Weekend Outlook (25 Aug 2008)

Portsmouth vs Manchester United

"...The way I see it, I think the Berbatov deal is in the toilet. Even if the flushing lever was not pulled, I doubt if Fergie wants to stick his hand in to fish it out.

Still, the publicised pessimism may be a smoke screen to ward off Chelsea's attention as the Blues have a knack of nicking ManUtd targets just to piss us off....."

- JayWalk, 24 Aug 2008

The way I see it, I think the Berbatov deal is in the toilet. Even if the flushing lever was not pulled, I doubt if Fergie wants to stick his hand in to fish it out.

Still, the publicised pessimism may be a smoke screen to ward off Chelsea's attention as the Blues have a knack of nicking ManUtd targets just to piss us off.

Perhaps, we should also place a bid for Real Madrid's Robinho just to stir up the pot of shit?

Anyway, as expected, we got off the new season with a lead foot, drawing a goal apiece with Keegan's Toon Army. We had more chance and possession and alas the lack of striker options was just blatantly screaming at us. Already lacking strikers with the write-off of Saha, injury of Ronaldo and bereavement of Tevez's family, ManUtd operated with a make-shift attack duo of new boy Frazier Campbell and Wayne Rooney.

Campbell is one of the new crop of starlets groomed to take over the old guards of Neville, Scholes, Giggs & Co.. Names like Darron Gibson, Danny Welbeck, Pereira da Silva, Jonathan Evans and Rodrigo Possebon will be expected to start showing up on the team sheet this season as part of Fergie's continuity master plan. For those who are hoping to see Dong FangZhuo on the pitch, I am afraid that's not going to happen for another year at least, for the young Ch1nese talent is still a few rungs in the talent department from his fellow counterparts.

JayWalk The Talk: With Tevez back from the funeral, expect the fiery Argentine teaming up with Rooney upfront. Rest of the team sheet looked woeful as Giggs, Carrick, Park, Ronaldo and Hargreaves are all out due to injury. Saha is also injured but will not be used even if he is fit as Fergie has already deemed him as a write-off. Nani has this weekend to finish his suspension while Anderson will be given an extra week of rest after returning from the Olympics.

We'd be missing the services of Silvestre too as the French defender has been transferred to Arsenal earlier in the week.

Captain-designate is expected to hold the fort and Brown certainly earned a place in the Starting XI, to mark his 200th Premiership game for ManUtd, after scoring his first ever international goal for England in the mid-week game against Czech Republic. All eyes will be on John O'Shea who has been tasked to control the midfield in place of the injured Carrick.

On the Pompey side, Kanu, Nugent, Pamarot are the only reported casualties not available for selection, with Kranjcar being doubtful. Perhaps half a game with a substitution midway for the midfielder?

JayWalk The Walk: Bookies are, in my opinion overly optimistic, with ManUtd today as ManUtd's handicap is a Give 0.5-Ball at 1.875 decimal odds.

Perhaps the bookies have taken into consideration that Portsmouth is presently a tad goal-shy with no goals from them in the last 4 Premiership games, counting from last season.

The way I see it, I think it will be a repeat of last season where ManUtd opens the season with 2 consecutive draws and then slowly shifts into second gear with a string of scruffy 1-0 victories.

Still, it doesn't mean punting on Portsmouth and eat the 0.5-ball handicap. This is a precarious situation where although Portsmouth is unlikely to beat ManUtd today, like they haven't beaten any of the Top 4 last season, a draw here is a very strong possibility on the cards. However at 0.5-ball, a single winning goal from ManUtd, is enough to tip the pot to ManUtd side.

Verdict? Stay away and continue to observe ManUtd's form for now.

Disclaimer: The above views are purely my own two-cents' worth. In other words, I cannot and will not guarantee that my predictions are accurate. If you want to bet on the game, do so at your own risk. Also, please bet responsibly and within your means regardless of how "sure thing" that game may appear to be. As the old saying goes, "The Ball Is Round". Good luck.