Weekend Outlook (31 Jan 2009)

Manchester United vs Everton

"...If we win today and keep another clean sheet, get ready for Fergie to pick up the Manager Of The Month award with Van der Sar picking up the Player Of The Month award alongside...."

- JayWalk, 31 Jan 2009

We finally reach the 8th game of 8 in this crazy January fixture. We have been very lucky to come out with 7 wins and 1 loss, of which it was an insignificant loss (Carling Cup semi-final 1st leg) to Derby County where we duly whacked them back and book our ticket to the Carling Cup final.

Problem is that we really paid a price in terms of picking up injuries from playing twice a week non-stop.

Just when we were bracing for the worst in the away match against the Baggies, with hardly enough people available to start on the pitch, we came out and surprised everybody with a 5-0 romp.

The Baggies were no match for us and we were very surprised to see Ferdinand show up to play us back to the top of the table with a 2-point lead and a game-in-hand.

So anyway, this is an important weekend as Liverpool is playing Chelsea which gives us the opportunity to pull further ahead, if we win today. If either side win, then only one side loses 3 points. If it turns out to be a draw, then both sides loses 2 points, totaling 4. I say we go for a Liverpool-Chelsea draw!

JayWalk The Talk: Evra is expected to be back together with Nani. This should give Neville a chance to rest after playing in the last 4 matches. Ferdinand made a surprise return together with Park and suddenly while we are still a little short of players to fill the team sheet, we are definitely out of the "crisis" status.

Here's wishing Rooney, Anderson, Rafael, Fabio, Evans and Wellbeck speedy recovery.

On the Evertonian side, the only absentee of significance is Cahill who will be out with a very badly bruised foot. While the x-ray indicated no fracture, the bruise was so bad that he won't be able to play. Yakubu, Vaughan and Saha will not be available today and so expect problems in the fire power department for Moyes' side.

JayWalk The Walk: If we win today and keep another clean sheet, get ready for Fergie to pick up the Manager Of The Month award with Van der Sar picking up the Player Of The Month award alongside.

Bookies are making ManUtd give Everton a 1.25-ball handicap with a decimal odds of 1.925 to beat it. Many pundits are predicting a 2-0 win for the Red Devils which I feel is a tad optimistic.

We look at our last four matches prior to the West Brom game, we really struggled to win despite some of the score lines being deceptively flattering. So suddenly a 5-0 win against the Baggies, does not instantly turn us god-like invincible.

We are still vulnerable and especially against Everton whom which we always have to work really hard to beat them.

I say we should still win but only but a 1-goal margin. Avoid the 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.