Weekend Outlook (27 Sep 2008)

Manchester United vs Bolton Wanderers

"...Sure, we lost the Super Cup and to Liverpool at Anfield in recent weeks, the war is not lost simply because of a few battle defeats...."

- JayWalk, 20 Sep 2008

Looks like the ManUtd engine is finally set into gear and picking up momentum.

Most notable name on the starting sheet is Vidic who completed the full 90-minutes.

And it's a real shame to see Possebon end his debut in the hospital after the horrific red card challenge under the studs of Pocatetz.

We welcome Ronaldo getting back on the score sheet as we dominated the stats with 22 attempts (13 on-goal) vs 10 attempts (4 on-goal). Interesting thing to note is that we almost never have a one-sided domination in terms of possession, no matter how one-sided the game is (in our favour, of course). Perhaps ManUtd play less of the time-wasting passing-around game then others?

Looking beyond, we have to travel to Denmark to face Aalborg BK on Tuesday which should be a cakewalk considering the fact that the Danes are the weakest in the group. Still, it would be nice to grab a first win of the round (better yet when this is an away game) to stay at the top of the group table.

Given that that the big guns are back, the Red Devils are finally starting to get off the ground.

Sure, we lost the Super Cup and to Liverpool at Anfield in recent weeks, the war is not lost simply because of a few battle defeats.

With 5 points from 4 games, we are in the exactly same place as the start of last season before we went on to win the EPL. So, as worrying as we were in the past few weeks, it is good to know that we are actually still on course.

JayWalk The Talk: We wish Possebon a speedy recovery as he join van dar Sar and Carrick in the sick bay. Veterans Giggs should be rested this weekend after playing most of mid-week's Carling Cup game.

In recent games, the trio combination of Tevez, Rooney and Berbatov didn't work out quite as ideal (only 4 goals in 4 games) and so perhaps if we throw Ronaldo into the melting pot, we may get better results. However, with only 11 players allowed on the pitch, that is a serious overdose of strikers and as such, I think at least one of them will be the sacrificial lamb. Berbatov will definitely not be on the bench, given his price tag. Ronaldo is a no-brainer shoo-in which leave us with either Tevez or Rooney facing the chopping block.

Rooney at the moment seems the weaker of the two, given the Argentine's relentless work rate which means that either Rooney gets the chop or he get pulled back to attacking/supporting midfield, ahead of Hargreaves.

Expect Vidic to get back to partnering Ferdinand which means Neville and/or Brown is heading back to the bench.

Kuszczak is expected to be back between the sticks after being rested as Goalie #3 Amos has had a full game in mid-week.

Now over at the Trotter's side, 20 miles away, Megson may have a full squad to pick from to face us but he is still short of a very important player. Anelka, whom they had reluctantly sold to Chelsea, thus effectively ending any chance of scoring against us.

JayWalk The Walk: You know it's 3-points in the bag when bookies are putting ManUtd up to give up 1.75-ball handicap and 1.925 decimal odds to beat it. Punter's kitty is also being weighed down one-sidedly with 80% of the wagers put on ManUtd at press time.

Perhaps history has a big part to play as far as confidence goes. For the last 5 Old Trafford games against Bolton, we have won every single one by 2 or more goals.

Now that we are beginning to pick up steam at a time where Bolton is weak defensively, I say we are going to take this streak to 6-in-a-row.

Take ManUtd and give the 1.75-ball handicap.

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.