Midweek Outlook (15 Aug 2007)

Portsmouth vs Manchester United

"All in all, Fergie shot himself in the foot.. again!!"

-Gary, 15/08/07

The match against Reading have more bad than good in it. First, no strikers in the sub bench and Fergie use John O'Shea as a striker when Rooney injured. Second, Rooney is out for 2 months with a hairline fracture, thus the partnership with Tevez have to put on hold. Third, despite a huge possession of 72%, Man Utd couldnt convert the chances to goals. With only 9 shots on goal, Man Utd have obviously left their scoring boots in the dressing room given that the match was play at Old Trafford. And lastly, i suspect Reading might be a bogey team for us in the future seasons. All in all, Fergie shot himself in the foot.. again!!

I wonder why Fergie have not learnt the lesson of last season? Man Utd draw 1-1 with Reading away, and fought a 3-2 winner at home. With no new signings on the pitch, Man Utd look complacent with the exception of the last 15 minutes of the match.

And why use John O'Shea as a striker? Just because last season his shots on goals was a better ratio is to the more established strikers like Drogba, Bent, Keane or even Defoe? Or is because he scored the winner against Liverpool in the dying minutes? Or is it because he scored against Everton to stage a fightback and win the match? How about asking him to score against Portsmouth as well since he did last season?

But fret not, is just the first game of the season, Man Utd didnt concede any goals though they could only got a point whereas Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool laboured to an odd-goal winner.

Now with Rooney, Saha and Solskjaer on the treatment room, Carlos Tevez will feature in the Portsmouth game. Confirm plus guarantee chop chop. Latest news is that Saha and Solskjaer have started training.

Man Utd's Team News: Rooney, Saha, Solskjaer, Neville, Park, Owen are out. Look like Fergie hands are tied and hence likely to give Nani and Anderson some match fitness. Paul Scholes is still looking for his goal as Man Utd's outright top scorer in Premier League. Wes Brown will continue in his right back role for Neville.

Portsmouth's Team News: Andy O'Brien have just signed for Bolton. Portsmouth have a full squad to choose from. Only Niko Kranjcar and Linvoy Primus are unavailable. I have not see anything yet from John Utaka as i only know he was brought from Rennes for 7 million Sterling pounds. Hopefully Man Utd's defenders do not take him too lightly.

Odds and Analysis: The handicap odds of -1 drop to -0.75 at 1.9. I say go for it. Man Utd need the win. But be warn, you might only win half of it. Good luck.

Disclaimer: This review is entirely on my own views and opinion. I didn’t point a gun at you to ask you to follow. If you want to bet on this game, do so at your own risk. Pls bet within limits. Good luck.