Monday, Goodison, 8pm, live on Sky Sports 1
AN interesting and exciting first round of Premier League games comes to an end tonight as Man United travel to Goodison.
Sir Alex Ferguson has already seen likely title rivals Man City and Chelsea pick up maximum points and the boss won't want to lose any ground even at this stage of the season.
United, however, face the toughest test of the trio with Goodison a ground where visiting teams have to be at their best although Everton are traditionally slow starters.
For punters it will be all about £24million new boy Robin van Persie who is set to make his debut after switching from Arsenal. Last season's Golden Boot winner is 6-4 with Blue Square to grab a debut goal and 5-1 at Coral to hit the opener.
Van Persie is set it to form a potentially thrilling two-pronged attack with Wayne Rooney who is also 5-1 at Coral to break the deadlock against his former side – and he's a great record against them.
Ladbrokes offer 7-2 on both scoring while bet365 go 14-1 they share three goals or more.
Betfred go 11-4 van Persie nets in a United win. I'm backing the Reds to get off to a winning start but by no means do I think it will be easy.
It's difficult to forgot last season's 4-4 thriller between the sides at Old Trafford when Everton scored two last-gasp goals to claim a point that some said cost United the title.
Davie Moyes' men improved after the arrival of Nikica Jelavic and Steven Pienaar and both will be key men again. Jelavic is 15-2 at Paddy Power to score first and 5-2 at Paddy Power to notch at any time while Pienaar is 20-1 (various) for the opener and 13-2 at bet365 to score first.
Everton will be big in some people's eyes at 7-2 with boylesports while the draw is 11-4 with the same firm.
But for me the addition of van Persie says United mean business so they have to be worth backing at 10-11 almost across the board.
Both teams have scored in four of the last six meetings at Goodison, including a 3-3 and 4-2 United win, and a repeat pays 5-6 at bet365. Everton will fancy their chances with United missing several defenders and attack could be the best form of defence for the visitors.
Ladbrokes are asking what will RVP do first on his debut: score 9-4, assist 9-2, card 11-2, subbed 2-1, play 90 minutes 7-2.
Recommendations
Man United
(10-11, various)
Van Persie to score
(6-4, Blue Square)
Rooney to score first
(5-1, Coral)
Both teams to score
(5-6, bet365)
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
What is man utd -1 odds and what’s ur thoughts Paul???
David, Man Utd have the potential to score a few but 10-11 is good enough for me. Everton will put up a fight and I’d like to see how RVP and Rooney gel before speculating on bigs wins for United. The strikers might need to walk before they can run.
David they are 12to5 with corals. Like that myself. Like paul says everton are normally slow starters.
Paul what u think of the Spanish games tonight?
Peter, nothing stood out when I had a quick glance. My pal who follows La Liga closely suggested a narrow win for Deportivo and possibly draws in the other two. However, he reckons it’s a night for “no names” and would be leaving it well alone.
Cheers Paul! I’ll just stick to man utd/gala double!
Thanks Paul going to cover handicap bet with just man utd win fingers crossed!!!
Alright Paul,wot do u think of these for 2moro……..Celtic/draw double chance and Dynamo Kiev/draw double chance? Double about 13/10. Also Falkirk v Rangers btts @ evens?
Jonathan, will post all my thoughts about Tuesday’s games tomorrow. Still chewing the fat.
Done a couple of bets for added interest. Jelavic anytime 12/5 and with man utd defensive problems took everton score both halves @ 4/1.
Paul what about Charlie Mulgrew tomorrow at 20/1 for first goal or 7/1 anytime?
Chris, the Mulgrew bet depends partly on how Celtic play it, how defensive they’ll be. I’m leaving him alone and thinking about Commons.
was also looking at mulgrew to score anytime,good shout but im on ledley at 5/1 anytime
rvp on bench, always a gd sign for fantasy as had to take aguero out for either rvp or rooney so glad a picked rooney. got single on man u tonight, then will have look at celtic tomorrow but mulgrew anytime worth a few quid at 7/1
Craig, thought he’d start to be honest but have taken Rooney for first goal anyway.
Kagawa first scorer 10/1 betfred dd/hh
been following the in play market for the last 15 mins of the first half and here are some of the latest madcap odds being quoted by 188 BET
200/69 56/9 13/9 20/13, why cant they keep it simple!!!!!!!!!
that 56/9 should have read 56/19!!!!
Robert, I don’t know why but 188bet’s odds are always strange.
Kris Ledley is 11/2 with hills, paddy and b365