Sunday afternoon’s non-televised take us to Old Trafford and Molineux, as Man United and Wolves host Watford and Norwich respectively.
While some might see Thursday night football as a bit of a deterrent to Champions League-chasing sides, fixtures have fallen somewhat kindly this time around for both United and Wolves.
Many will point to both home sides involvement in Europe as presenting value on the away teams, but I don’t see it personally. Both sides will have their sights set firmly on a top-five place and Champions League football next season.
Which leads me to my first, and somewhat uninspiring first “tip”…
Man Utd and Wolves both to win @ 13/10
Yes, I’m well aware that this is a rather obvious and boring choice, but obvious and boring often puts the proverbial dinner on the table. I’d have both Man United and Wolves shorter than the market here, despite their European involvement.
United, fresh off the back of a massively uplifting victory over fellow Champions League-pursuers Chelsea, have lost just once in the league and Europe at Old Trafford since August, a 2-0 defeat to Burnley despite utterly dominating that game.
While Watford began life under Nigel Pearson in positive and optimistic fashion, the new manager effect seems to have worn off somewhat and they have failed to win any of their last four games in the league.
Watford’s away record doesn’t make for great reading either, their only victories coming at fellow strugglers Bournemouth and Norwich.
As for Wolves v Norwich – Norwich’s away form is the worst there is, having picked up just six points all season on the road and scoring just six goals. This alone is enough for me to back a solid Wolves side to do the business on Sunday.
Sporting’s Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes (R) controls the ball during the Portugal’s Candido de Oliveira Super Cup final football match between SL Benfica and Sporting CP at the Algarve stadium in Faro on August 4, 2019. (Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA / AFP) (Photo credit should read PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP via Getty Images)
Within each game itself, I like the look of Bruno Fernandes to score and Man Utd to win at 9/4. He has looked really impressive in his couple of games so far, particularly on Monday where he provided the assist for Harry Maguire’s goal and was unlucky not to score from a free-kick as well. Bruno Fernandes to score a direct free-kick at 16/1 appeals here as well.
Bruno Fernandes to Score @ 9/4
Bruno Fernandes to Score a Direct Free-kick @ 16/1
These kinds of bets will hugely appeal to the United faithful who will no doubt be viewing Fernandes as their saviour and their springboard towards a top-five finish or Europa League glory.
In the Wolves v Norwich game, what most appeals to me is Wolves to win to nil at 11/8. Given how keen I am on Wolves at their price, and Norwich’s dismal goalscoring form away from home, this is an absolute no-brainer.
Wolves to Win to Nil @ 11/8
At a price, I like the look of Adama Traore in all positive markets, from First (15/2) and Anytime Goalscorer (11/4) to any of the Shots on Target markets (2+ is 11/2).
Assuming he starts, these all look decent value given how extremely impressive he has been this season for Wolves, and he should give this Norwich defence a torrid time on Sunday afternoon.