The English Premier League calendar has already flipped to September and Manchester United is still winless. With the pressure mounting and hundreds of millions of dollars spent on new players, manager Louis van Gaal will need to supply that elusive victory against Queens Park Rangers at home, or he risks facing some serious backlash from the club’s already restless supporters.
Across town, Manchester City will host another London club in Arsenal in what promises to be a very explosive offensive showdown. Check out our preview of that eagerly anticipated showdown here, and read on to see whether the red half of Manchester will be celebrating a win this weekend.
[sc:Soccer ]
Manchester United vs. Queens Park Rangers Betting Preview and Prediction
Where: Old Trafford, Manchester
When: Sunday, September 14, 11:00 AM ET
Line: Queens Park Rangers +1,075 at Manchester United -575, tie +470; total 3.0 – view all EPL lines
What’s at Stake
[sc:Soccer240banner ]For Manchester United, a win would begin to ease the pressure on new boss van Gaal, but another shock defeat would be potentially catastrophic for the club.
As for Queens Park Rangers, gaining any sort of point away from home will be a plus as the newly-promoted club tries to remain in the Premier League.
Betting on Manchester United
If Manchester United aren’t in crisis mode just yet, they are no doubt perilously close to it. Louis van Gaal’s side has yet to register a win in three Premier League matches so far. They drew to newly-promoted Burnley, who are largely tipped to be relegated this season, in their most recent match.
But don’t count the Red Devils out just yet. Fullbacks Rafael and Luke Shaw, who picked up injuries in their U.S. preseason tour, are back in training, as is midfielder Ander Herrera, who’s missed the last two league games. All three could play against QPR.
Newly-acquired defenders Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind will be available for selection to beef up a struggling United defense, while big-money signings Angel di Maria and Radamel Falcao are set to join a star-studded United front line of Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, and Juan Mata.
However, it remains to be seen how Louis van Gaal will put all this attacking talent onto the same field. Even with the talents of Rooney, van Persie and Mata, United’s attack has looked disjointed so far this season, as evidenced by their meager three-goal return in three games.
Their defense could also suffer another blow if the injury Phil Jones suffered in international duty with England rules him out of action. Without arguably their best defender, Manchester United’s already poor home form may get even worse. After their opening day defeat to Swansea, United have now lost eight of their last 19 Premier League matches at Old Trafford.
Who would’ve thought that Rio Ferdinand, who left Manchester United for QPR in the summer, would actually be the first one to taste victory ahead of his former club this season? The Rangers managed that feat with a 1-0 home win against Sunderland behind their first goal scored in three matches this season.
Ferdinand and central defensive partner Steven Caulker will have some added steel ahead of them for their away trip to Manchester with the signing of defensive midfielder Sandro. Manager Harry Redknapp knows him well from their days at Tottenham, and the Brazilian midfielder will bring that much-needed stability to a shaky QPR defense that allowed five goals in their first two matches.
Redknapp also bought another one of his favorites in midfielder Niko Kranjcar. The Croatian can provide that little touch of quality to produce some good goalscoring opportunities.
The problem for Rangers will be who finishes them off. Star striker Loic Remy left for Chelsea during the transfer window, leaving Leroy Fer, Bobby Zamora, and Charlie Austin up front. To Austin’s credit, he did score the winner against Sunderland, and considering how United’s defense has played this season, it’s not exactly impossible that he – or any striker Redknapp opts to play – pops up with another.
Beating Manchester United would be a momentous achievement for QPR. Rangers are winless in 12 previous meetings against United in the Premier League era, with just two draws and 10 defeats.
Writer’s Prediction
With added reinforcements arriving, Manchester United (-575) will have too much for Ferdinand and QPR at home as United record their first win of the season.
