Manchester United v Newcastle: Rooney to add to Magpies’ woes
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Manchester United welcome Newcastle to Old Trafford on Boxing Day hoping to put the Aston Villa draw behind them and return to winning ways.
Fortunately for Red Devils fans the Magpies have rarely troubled United over the years, winning just twice since the turn of the century and as such Ladbrokes has the hosts down as clear 2/5 favourites.
The draw is on at 13/4 while the away win is probably worth a small wager at decent odds of 7/1, but here James Curtis highlights three better value bets.
Manchester United (-1) to beat Newcastle @ evens
Backing the hosts to win isn’t going to boost the January Sales fund by much so the handicap markets should be considered to find value.
With Newcastle going through their second slump of the season – they’ve now won just once in five, losing the last three – United look nailed on to win.
Throw in that eight of their last 11 victories have been by two clear goals and the -1 pick looks a shrew move.
Wayne Rooney to score first @ 4/1
As Newcastle top scorer Papis Cisse seems worth consideration with seven goals in 11 games.
However, having netted in just four games attention turns toward in-form Robin van Perise who is Manchester United’s top scorer with seven league goals.
The Dutchman, as struck five times in his last seven games and is on at 7/2.
But value seekers should lean toward Rooney, who has bagged six goals in his last seven games and can be backed at the bigger price of 4/1.
Over 2.5 goals @ 4/7
This selection is approaching banker material with the hosts in great form at the front and looking more than a little shaky at the back this season.
And, with five of the last six meetings between the two yielding at least three goals, this one is definitely worth a Boxing Day stake.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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