Weekend Outlook (02 May 2009)

Middlesbrough vs Manchester United

"...The way I see it, the road to Rome is simple. Just score 1 goal and we are through to the Finals...."

- JayWalk, 02 May 2009

What happened with Arsenal was a puzzle as we did not expect Arsenal to roll over and play dead just so easily.

What the hell happened?

As much as I appreciate the win, it is also a grave concern as to why our worthy opponent crumbled so easily?

The boys at Arsenal are too green or are they perhaps just not up to our standards when the pressure is turned up to the max?

Then there is also the complacency on our part that I am worried about. Had we converted just half the chances we had, we would have this semi-final dead and buried. So now with just 1 miserable goal and our terrible record against the Gunners at their home soil, I wonder if this solitary goal is enough to see us through or is it going to come back and bite us in the ass? Are we going to get spanked for our wastefulness?

Well, a couple of weeks ago, we were just talking about how no English club in Porto history has beaten them on their home soil and we just broke that record. Perhaps, we would do the same here at the Emirates?

The way I see it, the road to Rome is simple. Just score 1 goal and we are through to the Finals.

JayWalk The Talk: We are definitely going to playing a B-team this weekend as Fergie is expected to rest key players ahead of the ECL semi-final return leg at the Emirates Stadium.

Between the sticks will be Foster and he will be protected by the Fab-4 of Vidic, Evans, Brown and Evra. Ferdinand is declared OK after the broken rib scared while Neville still has a week to go before full recovery. Expect the Gaffer to rest him ahead of the mid-week clash. Further up in the middle will be the Old Bird Duo of Giggs and Scholes to lead the kids to 3 points. Partnering them should be Park and Nani. Then up front, we should see Macheda debuting this first start alongside either Tevez or Welbeck.

On the Boro side, defenders Captain Pogatetz and Riggot are both out due to injury which will leave the door wide open for ManUtd to score. Brazillian Alves is expected to start but for someone who has yet to score in 10 games, I am not too worried. Besides, I think he is more concerned about getting out of the club when the season is over than anything else.

JayWalk The Walk: Bookies are going Boro a 0.75-ball handicap and ManUtd a very easy 1.775 decimal odds to beat it. The Riverside stadium has always been a very tricky place for ManUtd where we won only twice in our last 4 visits.

Looks like Southgate will not be so confident this time and they are already talking about life after relegation. Morale is at an all time low both on the pitch and off it. Backroom staff are already having the dark cloud of retrenchment looming over their heads.

I think even the punters felt it too as the wager pot is 74% in favour of ManUtd beating the 0.75-ball handicap.

Anyway, today is our turn to have the earlier kick-off and should we pull off the victory, we shall then see if Liverpool can match us in terms of mental toughness.

Are they going to match us 3 points for 3 points or are they just going to crumble like cookies today?

Well, we shall see..... after we collect our 3 points.... with our B-team. Boro is so going to be relegated.

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.