Midweek Outlook (24 Nov 2010)

   Glasgow Rangers vs Manchester United  


It has been a terrible week for Arsenal. As a worthy rival, I really feel for them. Still, all is not lost on the European front as they still leading their group with 1 game to go. I wish Arsenal and Spurs (strange to have them both in the same sentence) the best of luck as they hold the England flag flying proud in the tournament.

As for us, we look like we are finally out of the funk, albeit unconvincingly. We are the only unbeaten team in both the ECL and the EPL. We are level on points with Chelsea and ahead of schedule since it has always been Fergie's intermediate target to catch up by Christmas, if we are trailing after a slow season start. We have not concede a single goal in the ECL.

YET, I am not convinced we are headed for a stellar year.

Looking ahead, we will be hosting Blackburn in the coming weekend. They used to be our bogey team but now that Mark Hughes is plying his trade somewhere else, Blackburn aren't as scary as they used to be. Them languishing in mid-table says it all.

Besides, we will be fielding a well-rested first team against them.

That means that we are likely to expect a second string in this coming game. While we are sitting comfortably at the top of the table with the magic number 10, we are not mathematically out of the woods yet. However, history has shown us that 10 points is enough to secure a ticket to the next round. It would take a freak nature of events to have 10 points and still end up in the consolatory Europa League spot.

Still, the pole position is important as the seeding allows you to avoid the power houses too early in the tournament. Last season was an exception as many perennial strong clubs ended up in the second spot and it was actually a better idea to be second in the table!

Valencia will looking for an easy victory today as Bursaspor has already given up on the tournament with 0 points from 4 games. So assuming no freak accident, Rangers fate is more or less already sealed to head down to the Europa League regardless of how they do. So the question remains if Walter Smith still want to push so hard for the second spot that is almost out of their reach?

The prospect however, looks inviting, given ManUtd should be fielding the B-team. The defensive pair of Vidic and Ferdinand will be rested. Fletcher probably won't feature either. I think Rooney, who is back from injury, will partner the lackluster Bubba with Park, Giggs and Scholes supporting from behind.

ManUtd has to give a 0.75-ball handicap and a decimal odds of 2.05 to cleared it. Punters seemed optimistic as 75% of the wagers are on ManUtd to clear the handicap.

I quite disagree with that as I feel that a draw would be the likely result while of course I will be crossing my fingers and hoping for a lucky ManUtd win.

No bet on this game for me.

JayWalk's 2010/2011 Track Record to-date (24 Nov 2010) :  P71-W36-L35

- Voxeros