Weekend Outlook (08 Mar 2008)

Manchester United vs Portsmouth

"...We won our last 7 head-to-heads. Portsmouth has never won at Old Trafford in 50 years and has never eliminated ManUtd in the FA Cup tournament in 74 years. So what would make anyone think that this would be the year for Portsmouth to break the jinx?..."

- JayWalk, 08 Mar 2008

ManUtd had it easy the entire week. The 3-0 mauling of Fulham doesn't really count for much since our opponents didn't really put up much of a fight to begin with. Lyon in my opinion, deployed the wrong strategy by playing defensive despite having to start further back with an away goal disadvantage in the draw during the first-leg. Could it be the fear of playing at Old Trafford that the coach strategise playing conservative, lest exposing the vulnerable back during their attack?

Perhaps the Lyon coach was right about guarding against counter attacks as ManUtd can easily outpace their French visitors.

The game in mid-week is a nonchalant stroll in the park as we took control as early as the 20th minute resulting in a brilliant goal, just before the half-time whistle. Problem was that it was all downhill from there for the Red Devils as the home side seemed content to just play out the rest of the game by playing 10 defenders. Hmm.... Sounds like they are doing the Liverpool of the Houllier days.

What resulted was a game of ding dong all over the place that yielded a boring 2 shots-on-goal to their 1 and 1 save each throughout the entire game. Yawn.

Perhaps an eye on today's FA Cup Quarter-Final game?

Some may argue that we did ultimately win but I for one, is one of the blokes that get annoyed watching negative play, regardless of result. Perhaps it was over confidence on the Red Devil's part that play was without urgency. Evra looked distracted, Rooney still lacked sharpness and even-game winning Ronaldo played to what I would grade as a B-.

I hope that was a one-off incident for that kind of play won't get you any silverware.

JayWalk The Talk: Portsmouth will be without Defore who is cup-tied and Primus and Nugent are both still injured.

On the ManUtd front, Giggs is doubtful while Foster, Silvestre and Neville are still en route to full recovery and full match fitness.

JayWalk The Walk: Bookies are making ManUtd give a 1.5-ball handicap with a decimal odds of 1.975 to clear it. I supposed on one hand they think that we will be able to mow down another domestic opponent like we have done Newcastle, Arsenal and Fulham but on the other hand, they are also speculating if ManUtd would continue to play with the same lethargy as against Lyon?

We won our last 7 head-to-heads. Portsmouth has never won at Old Trafford in 50 years and has never eliminated ManUtd in the FA Cup tournament in 74 years. So what would make anyone think that this would be the year for Portsmouth to break the jinx?

It is going to be a win for ManUtd without any doubt and so in order to beat the handicap, we would need one more goal on top of the match-winning one.

No problem as I foresee yet another clean sheet at home and a goal a piece in each half. ManUtd to win 2-0.

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.