Back Man Utd to edge tight match with Wolves

Manchester United host Wolves in their opening Premier League match of 2022 at Old Trafford.

On Thursday, United produced their most impressive display of Ralf Rangnick’s short stay with a 3-1 victory over Burnley. They created numerous chances and had Cristiano Ronaldo not had an uncharacteristically weak evening in front of goal, they would have won by an even more comfortable margin.

Off the back of such a display, Man Utd are now 1.57 to overcome Wolves, who are priced at 6.4. A draw is on offer at 4.2.

Man Utd looking more devilish

While Rangnick has not had a dream start at Manchester United, three wins and two draws in five competitive fixtures represents a solid return. Wolves, though, promises to be the toughest test yet for the former Schalke and Hoffenheim head coach.

Indeed, United have taken 10 points from a possible 12 against clubs presently stationed in the lower half of the Premier League standings. This will be the German’s first fixture against a club around them in the table.

There has been little cavalier about the Red Devils under Rangnick so far, though they did show distinct hints of improvement in midweek in an attacking sense.

Weaknesses remain, most notably in the heart of the defence, but against a team notoriously weak going forward, this should not prove too great a problem.

Cristiano Ronaldo was unusually wasteful against Burnley, but still managed to score

Unhappy hunting ground for Wolves

Wolves have not been in action since a scoreless home draw with Chelsea on December 19 due to a Covid outbreak in their ranks. Festive fixtures against Watford and Arsenal were both postponed.

Returning to action away to United is bound to be an intimidating task for Bruno Lage’s side. Not only will they be rusty after a fortnight without football, they journey to a venue where they have failed to win any of their last 10 away matches, dating back to February 1980. During this run, they have been shut out seven times.

Having scored only 13 Premier League goals this season – the second poorest tally in the league – the prospects of improving these statistics look limited.

Goals not on the cards

Historically, these fixtures have been low-scoring affairs. There have only been eight goals in the last seven matches between these clubs, with just a single match producing more than two of these strikes.

Recent history, too, pegs both these clubs as low scorers. In Wolves’ last seven Premier League games, only four goals have been scored, while Rangnick’s first four matches in charge of United failed to produce a game of more than two goals. That run was broken against Burnley, but Wolves are likely to be made of stronger stuff.

Odds of 1.88 on the game producing under 2.5 goals are well worth consideration, then.

Equally, a Manchester United win and under 2.5 goals can be backed at 3.75 for added value. Judging by the way the Red Devils saw off Burnley, a similarly Covid-hit side, in midweek, they appear to be finding their feet.

Recommended Bet:

Back Man Utd / under 2.5 goals @ 3.75