Benfica vs Manchester United 
A hello to one and all as I make my season's debut of covering midweek games.
ManUtd has had a leisurely stroll in the opening month of the season banging in 21 goals in the last 5 games and all hail the next gen army of the Red Half. I have to admit that it took me quite a while to acclimatise to the new season as there were more unfamiliar faces than usual.
Everything seems to go our way which was a sharp contrast to last season where we played so badly that we won the Premier League title only because the rest played worse than us. In short, we didn't earn the title, it was given to us. Not much pride there, is there?
Interesting with only the span of just a single summer, we came out guns ablazed and sitting atop the league table without even a bead of sweat. Rooney is already 1/3 of the way to clinching this season's Golden Boot at this rate and we only played 4 games!
So anyway, with the season honeymoon over, we are entering the hectic months proper with both the ECL and the Carling Cup tournament kicking off at the same time.
Our first game in the European arena is against Benfica who finished second in Portugal last season and has qualified to the ECL proper after overcoming Twente in the CLQ stages.
Momentum-wise, Benfica has the advantage as they started off the European arena blocks earlier than us but that should be easily countered by our fresher legs.
Traditionally, ManUtd opens their European season well but with a Chelsea game looming over the weekend immediately after, I am thinking Fergie may rest some of the youngsters who have done so well so far, in favour of experience.
Rafael, Cleverly are definitely not featuring, joining the injured Vidic at the sideline. I am so glad I do not have to mentioned Hargreaves still in the sick bay anymore. Good riddance!
I am expecting to see Fletcher, Carrick and Ferdinand up on the pitch for this game.
Our goalie De Gea is still a worry for me but Fergie should favour Lindegaard this round as he further evaluates the two of his new acquisitions.
ManUtd is giving up 1/2-ball to Benfica with a 1.925 (vs 1.975) decimal odds to beat it. On the 1X2, A Benfica win has a bigger payout then even a draw. The last time Benfica beat us at their home was way back in Dec 2005 where we left our foot off the gas pedal for a bit.
I am going for a ManUtd win and giving up the 1/2-ball handicap to the host. We shouldn't have too much problem with Chelsea thereafter as Torres is proving more of a burden than a charm at Stamford Bridge. They must be so regretting their purchase right now which is just fine with us coz Torres would have done a lot more damage against us had he stayed at Anfield.
Once that is out of the way too, we travel to Elland Road to face Leeds in the Carling Cup opener which we are expected to field out B-team.
JayWalk's 2011/2012 Track Record to-date (13 Sep 2011) : P25-W15-L10
- Voxeros
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