Manchester United v West Brom - Red Devils to breeze past Baggies

THE Premier League continues this weekend and Lucas Swain-Britton (@LucasSwain95) shares his best bets for Manchester United v West Brom.

Manchester United v West Brom | Sunday 15th April 2018, 16:00

There’s still a bit of talk surrounding the relegation battle in the Premier League, with a number of sizeable clubs being in the thick of it. Many wouldn’t have predicted Southampton, and even Stoke City, to be down there at this time of the year. West Brom meanwhile, well….yeah.

West Brom, despite stabilising in the Premier League of late are looking as if their visa for the peak of English football is expiring. Having said that, Baggies fans shouldn’t be worrying too much as the ‘yo-yo’ club will probably be back after a season of Championship football.

Heading to Old Trafford is a difficult test for sides at the best of times, and when the Baggies are rock bottom of the league table with safety being a mere spec at the end of the Hubble telescope, it’s the last thing they need.

United to Dominate

Under Jose Mourinho Manchester United have been ruthlessly efficient at home. Yes, there have been minor blips against Southampton and Burnley. However, Burnley are a credible side who have been sniffing around the European places this season – there’s a sentence I’d never thought I’d write.

The only team to beat the Red Devils at Old Trafford this season was Manchester City and I don’t envisage that’s going to change this season. However, what can be said about Manchester United is they don’t blow sides away.

Just once in their last 10 matches at home did Mourinho’s side score three or more. The foundations of their triumphant record in Manchester is a good defence. Moreover, they’ve scored exactly two goals in 50% of those matches too.

The betting

West Brom fans can be forgiven for opting against watching their side on the road this season. Whilst football fans adopt the narrative of ‘through thick and think, we follow our team’ which I truly commend – as a Bristol Rovers fan who has witnessed League Two relegation, I really do understand this – it’s also exasperating and tethers do get surpassed.

Just the solitary win away from home is an abysmal record and simply put that won’t be changing on Sunday. Unfortunately the bookmakers also believe this (shock) and the price isn’t remotely attractive, therefore I’m having to look elsewhere.

Whilst I have never delved into this market before, I’m going to back Manchester United to score exactly two goals. There’s of course a risk factor that comes with this bet, but if WBA wish to maintain dignity they’re going to limit the scoring in this match as much as they can.

It’s quite an attractive price and it certainly carries weight. I wouldn’t advise lofty stakes, but it’s certainly worth a play when West Brom attempt to prolong their inevitable relegation in English football’s second tier.