Weekend Outlook (21 Feb 2009)

Manchester United vs Blackburn Rovers

"...starting next week and the ECL resumes as we will return to a bladdy hectic schedule of 7 games in 22 days.

If we pull it through like we did in January, I can safely say that we bagged the league title for yet another wonderful year...."

- JayWalk, 21 Feb 2009

We have had a good and easy February as the relatively relaxed scheduled allowed us to clear our game in hand and pull 5 points ahead.

Starting next week and the ECL resumes as we will return to a bladdy hectic schedule of 7 games in 22 days.

If we pull it through like we did in January, I can safely say that we bagged the league title for yet another wonderful year.

Fulham was woeful during mid week as we totally dominated them in every department and locked them down to yet another record breaking consecutive clean sheet. Van der Sar is one clean sheet away from the European League record and 6 games away from FIFA all-time record. Let's see how far the great Dutch goalie can go.

Looking ahead, this Tuesday marks the start of the ECL second round as we travel to Milan to play current Serie A leaders. This could easily be the final despite it being second round as the respective league champions of the power houses of Spain, Italy and England don't usually meet so early in the tournament.

Thereafter, we head down to Wembley as we attempt to pick up our third trophy of the season against Tottenham who have since signaled their intention to give up on the UEFA Cup tournament as they want to concentrate all the fire power to avoid relegation in the EPL. I doubt if Spurs will be putting in much effort in the Carling Cup final for after they are guaranteed a place in UEFA Cup, regardless of the outcome at Wembley since ManUtd is headed for the ECL next season.

JayWalk The Talk: January's madhouse was more worrying due to the fact that we were having a lot of players injured. Good news this time round is that despite the same volume of fixtures, most of our boys are back.

Only people left in the sickbay are Hargreaves and O'Shea while Andersen may make a surprise early-then-expected return. Given that the Inter Milan game follows immediately after that, I would be surprise if Fergie plays a different team today. I think Neville, Tevez, Rooney and Giggs will feature today. Vidic is also a definite starter today on account of the fact that he will be serving out his ECL suspension.

On the Blackburn side, Emerton and Samba are unavailable while Simpson cannot play against his prinicpal since he is on loan to Blackburn from ManUtd.

JayWalk The Walk: Everybody feels that ManUtd will win today and extend the lead to 8 points before Liverpool plays 24 hours later. Bookie are making ManUtd give a 1.5-goal handicap and a decimal odds of 1.80 to beat it. Sounds like a easy cakewalk for ManUtd but the wagering public do not quite agree as evident by the fact that the Punting Pot has only 65% betting on ManUtd to beat the handicap.

I say we will win but again it will be one of those energy-saving 1-0 victories.


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.