Weekend Outlook (01 Apr 2006)

Bolton Wanderers vs Manchester United

"...All of a sudden, our other game-in-hand looked so much more valuable than it did a few weeks ago...."

- JayWalk, 01 Apr 2006

We successfully cashed in on our game-in-hard earlier during midweek with a 1-0 win over West Ham United. However, I didn't feel that we deserve that win. We fluked it. West Ham made a mistake and Park pounced on it for van Nistelrooy to score. Other than that, chances were few and far between. That's what is worrying me. The team lacked creatvity at times. We may have done ok with possession (53%) but that's probably because West Ham has a weaker midfield than us.

Liverpool has a relatively easy fixture against relegation-candidate West Brom and this weekend could be a good opportunity for them to close the gap on us. All of a sudden, our other game-in-hand looked so much more valuable than it did a few weeks ago.

Comparing both Liverpool's and ManUtd's run-in fixtures, Liverpool has the upper-hand with the easier opponents while ManUtd still has Arsenal and Spurs to contend with (Both Liverpool and ManUtd will be meeting Chelsea and so this kinda cancels out eachother). At this time of the season, there are 2 types of teams that worry us the most. The relegation-battle gladiators and the Euro-challengers. By merely counting who has more fixtures involving mid-table teams, you can roughly know more or less who will be having the smaller headache. Unfortunately, it's not us.

ManUtd needs to win this at the Reebok Stadium ahead of next week's clash against Arsenal. The good news for us is that Arsenal has a midweek game in Turin against a Juventus who would be going all out to try to overturn a 0-2 deficit. Expect the Biancaneri to sap quite a bit of energy away from Arsenal prior to coming to Old Trafford. Still, let's not be overly assumptious and expect everything to be rosy.

JayWalk The Talk: Liverpool has a relatively healthier squad list and their forwards have start scoring freely (11 goals in the last 3 games). The only down side is that Steven Gerrard is suspended for the red card last week. Could it be the case where there would be no goals when there is no Stevie-G? I certainly hope so.

The consolation is that we are no push-overs either, scoring no less than 2 goals per game (sans the West Ham one) for the last 7 games. To top it off, surely the 7-game winning streak must count for something?

OH WAIT!!! We are playing Bolton today and not Liverpool. Hahahaha.... silly me....

Wah... that way I write about this weekend machiam like Bolton is transparent like that. Really no respect!

Ok ok fine. Bolton too has a healthier squad list. The only notable names missing would probably be Campo and Jansen. Still I think ManUtd may still overwhelm them with a rag-tag team after sieving out all the casualties, but I won't put money on it though.

JayWalk The Walk: I already knew something was going to be wrong with ManUtd prior to the West Ham game when I said in the comments of Sheena's preview to stay away from the wager. A lot of people must have been burnt pretty badly that the bookies are offering a slightly more attractive 1/2-ball in favour of Bolton today. The way I see it, a draw is more likely on the card and the bookies know it. Hence this bookie trap on unknowing punters.

So, does that mean that we can wager on Bolton? Nah... as this is a game that could go either way. I think I will wager on Liverpool instead.

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.