Midweek Outlook (27 Sep 2011)

   Manchester United vs FC Basel   

Is it just a coincidence or did we drop points simply because Wayne Rooney did not play?

Our winning streak came to an end with a 1-1 draw against unlikely Stoke City. It was only mere weeks ago that we kicked aside the likes of ManCity, Chelsea, Arsenal and Spurs, then suddenly this weekend we can't get past Stoke?

The dark clouds are looming as our list of injuries suddenly exploded before anyone can finish spelling the name Hargreaves. Rooney is out alongside with Hernandez. We'd be missing Evans, Smalling, Vidic, Rafael, Cleverly and Gibson.

Granted that we usually play our B-team for mid-week fixtures, I'd thought perhaps Fergie would like to open the 3-point account in the ECL, by upping the fire power department a few notches here.

So.

We are in the first round of the ECL where 10 points out of a total of 18 is all we need to advance. Still, I'd rather get the 10 points early than leave it till the wire.

Squad-wise for today should see Lindegaard manning the sticks while we have a choice of Macheda, Bubba, Welbeck and recently in-form Owen to deploy up front. We should see the old guards taking center stage. Giggs and Park should take on the flanks while wait..... has anyone seen Carrick? Paging for Mr Carrick!! Young may get another game following a good showing at Stoke which will mark his ECL debut if he gets onto the pitch today. Oh and yes, do save a spot for Valencia too.

Bookies are making ManUtd give a 1.75 ball handicap at 1.875 to clear it. 1X2 says ManUtd to win it at 1.18. The wager pot is skewed towards ManUtd at 82% to 18%.

Looks like everybody is expecting a Swiss Spanking tonight.

How is this so with a B-team, you may ask? Well, the answer lies in the fact that while Basel come into this tournament as Swiss champion, they are having a disastrous start to the new season currently languishing in fourth.

With a lousy form coming into the Theatre of Dreams is like sheep being herded into the slaughterhouse. A two-goal victory should be something achievable to us relatively easy today.

Fergie further added that he wishes to secure the subsequent 9 points starting with today's game so that we can ease off the pedal two games ahead to prepare for the Christmas/New Year fixture jam.

Good call.

JayWalk's 2011/2012 Track Record to-date (27 Sep 2011) : P34-W20-L14

- Voxeros