Betdistrict.com
Manchester United will try to bounce back after the 0-3 trashing by rivals City, but the reigning champions also have the midweek game against Bayern to worry about. Villa does not have much left to play for in the league, but surely they will relish the chance to prove themselves at Old Trafford against an underachieving team.
United managed to get a little rhythm lately, winning 3 of the last 5 games and getting that fantastic 3-0 win against Olympiakos to advance to the Champions League quarters, but clearly the team is still in big trouble, as their last 2 home Premier League games ended in horrible 0-3 defeats to Liverpool and City. The hosts will try to erase some of the shame of those abysmal performances, especially the one against rivals City, which happened just 1 week ago. However, with a top 4 spot now definitely out of the question, Moyes could well focus on the UCL game against Bayern, which awaits United in just three days, on Tuesday.
Albeit often inconsistent, Villa played good football overall this season and they are safe from relegation on the 12th place, also having one game in hand over the teams that are in front of them in the standings. Villa will look to bounce back after a bad performance in a 1-4 home losing effort to Stoke. It was a very surprising defeat, as Villa had just beaten Chelsea and was riding a 2 game winning streak. The visitors played pretty good on the road this season, better than at home, posting a 4-5-5 statline.
 |
Bet with the best odds and highest limits at Pinnacle. |
Team news and lineups
United will miss Van Persie, which is bad news, as the hosts always struggled without RVP this season. Evans and Smalling are questionable. Aston Villa will have to do without Kozak, Herd, Okore and N’Zogbia, while Weimann and El Ahmadi will be game time decisions.
Manchester United: De Gea – Rafael, Vidic, Jones, Evra – Carrick, Fellaini – Valencia, Mata, Young – Rooney.
Aston Villa: Guzan – Bacuna, Vlaar, Baker, Bertrand – Sylla, Westwood, Delph – Agbonlahor, Benteke, Weimann.
United will play the first team here, but surely you have to expect them to be more focused on the Bayern game, which will be season – defining. I backed United a lot of times this season (generally a bad choice), but this time I will go with Villa to cover a 1 goal handicap. The visitors have a good team, played well this season, proved they can defeat the top sides and were very decent on the road. United is clearly struggling and if you add the dangerous opponent and the Champions League game coming up, it`s hard to see them winning by more than 1 here. The odds are also great on Villa, I don`t think United deserves odds of around 1.40 for the win with their current form. An x2 is surely not out of the question, but my tip will be Villa to cover the 1,5 goal handicap. Prediction: Manchester United – Aston Villa 2-1.
Pick: Aston Villa (+1,5)
Odds: 1.78 @ Pinnacle
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 6.24
Event date: 29 March
