Premier League Betting: Middlesbrough v Manchester United

Premier League / Richard Walker / 02 May 2009 / Leave a Comment

Despite a weakened team, Richard Walker believes that Manchester United can succeed where Liverpool failed and take three points from the Riverside. Best Bet: Back 1-0 To Man Utd @ [7.2].

Sir Alex Ferguson would surely have hand-picked opponents such as Middlesbrough for his side to face in the Premier League with the two legs of the Champions League semi-final sandwiching it in.

And the straight-talking Scot has already got stuck into Sky Sports and league officials themselves for scheduling a 12.45pm Saturday lunch-time kick-off on the back of a hugely significant Wednesday night match.

All this really doesn't matter; Man United will beat a limp Middlesbrough side who, by their nature and actions, have looked the most doomed of all the sides struggling to stay upwards of the dreaded dotted line. Yet I don't think the Red Devils will hand out a pasting.

In fact, so confident am I about it being 1-0 to the reigning champions that I've made it my Best Bet for the match, at odds of reward around [7.2] when backed. Complement that selection, if you will, by backing Under 2.5 goals at [1.94]. Overs is [2.04] but, if Fergie is to be believed, I just can't see it. He's talking about resting a good few top names - however I suspect they'll be on the bench if the job's not getting done come the hour mark.

And while you'd logically argue Gareth Southgate simply has to send his team out looking for all three points, that won't stop him taking a very cautious approach. Some sides have enjoyed success getting at Man U this year but, at this stage of the season, even a point from an unlikely source must be cherished.

That's whay I'm suggesting you lay, at [3.8] to those who have in mind a glut of goals from the Riverside visitors. Okay, you don't necessarily need an avalanche - since one unanswered in each half is sufficient - however I have a sense that the first-half will produce little more than tactical ennui from Boro and measured approach play from United (perhaps with a little fatigue in the legs to shake off from three days previous).

Neither side have loads of injures, however the loss of Rio Ferdinand for the Red Devils can never be taken lightly. Gary Neville and Owen Hargreaves are also missing while, for the hosts, they need contend without defenders Emanuel Pogatetz and Chris Riggott.

The Match Odds reflect the gap in quality, frankly, with United a little longer to back than the price in my mind's eye at [1.59]. The Draw at [4.1] and Boro [7.4] make up the market. If your one who must play here, then I actually think [1.59] represents a fair price for a highly probable outcome.

Once again, I reckon it's dangerous to get too involved in the goalscorer sections before the teams are announced. The likely market leaders might only have bit-part roles to play so how about going for one of the veterans to prosper.

Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes both had bit-part roles in the week and I'd expect them to start. They're both around the [16.0] to [18.0] mark for First Goalscorer - and around [7.5] To Score at any time - for a game which I could well see settled by one of them holding their nerve in a goalscoring situation. For the hosts, Afonso Alves is rubbish, Marlon King and Tuncay work hard but don't score many so, if you're looking for an opposition cover selection, I think you could do far worse than the [10.0] to back about Adam Johnson To Score.

As fellow Betting @ Betfair writer and Boro fan 'Mystical' Mike Norman would corroborate, Boro tend to play well when it's least expected. However for this one, even if they do, I can't see them repelling the champions.