Man Utd vs Sunderland: Fergie poised for happy anniversary
Published:Sir Alex Ferguson celebrates 25 years in charge of Manchester United this weekend and should have even more reason to crack open a bottle after their game against Sunderland.
United are 1/5 to win against a side that promises to include Wes Brown in the starting XI – a player Ferguson turfed out of Old Trafford in yet another squad overhaul in the summer.
Another United old boy, John O’Shea, will miss out with a hamstring injury – but that’s the least of Sunderland’s worries.
The Black Cats have not beaten United in their previous 18 games and there is little to suggest that run will come to an end this Saturday.
In their seven matches against teams currently in the top half of the Premier League this season, Steve Bruce’s men have failed to win a single one and have picked up just three points.
With goalkeeper Keiren Westwood set to make his Premier League debut, the win looks beyond for the visitors at 12/1.
Wayne Rooney may return to the striking line-up after his mid-week foray in midfield and, with United home games averaging around 3.5 goals per game this season, goals look guaranteed.
United have allowed 115 shots on goal in open play this season – the highest in the league – so backing over 3.5 goals looks a good bet at 11/10.
Meanwhile, Javier Hernandez has scored in two of his previous three Premier League games and the Mexican is 11/4 to score first.
For Sunderland, Stephane Sessegnon may be worth backing at 5/1 to score in the 90 minutes – the Benin attacking-midfielder has scored or assisted in each of Sunderland’s last four league games.
After the 6-1 humiliation against Manchester City in their last Premier League home game, it should be business as usual for Ferguson on his Silver Jubilee as King of Old Trafford.
