Manchester United vs Newcastle United
Monday | 16 August 2010 | KO:20:00 | Old Trafford

Manchester United start their English Premier League season on Monday night. Newcastle are the visitors to Old Trafford and if previous visits are anything to go by then we can look forward to a high scoring game.

United are 5/2 second favourites in the title race. They missed out by a single point last season as their race with Chelsea went right down to the wire and it looks like it could well be tight at the top again this time around. Whilst new faces are few and far between so far, the arrival of the exciting Javier Hernandez could take some of the pressure of Rooney in terms of goal scoring and unlike Chelsea, there have been no high profile departures from the United squad so far. With the transfer window open until the end of August, there may well be some more activity very soon.

United lost just twice at home in the league last season, Chelsea and Aston Villa took maximum points and Sunderland were the only side to escape with a draw. United won 11 of 19 home games by at least 2 clear goals and 16 league matches at Old Trafford delivered over 2.5 goals. The 3-1 over Chelsea in the Community Shield confirmed their well being after a decent pre season where they scored plenty of goals.

Newcastle return to the Premier League after winning the Championship in some style last season. Sol Campbell, Dan Gosling and James Perch have been brought in by Chris Hughton but they still look a bit short of strength in depth to me. The Geordies are a 28/10 shot to go straight back down, they ought to finish ahead of the other promoted clubs West Brom and Blackpool but their chances of challenging for a top half finish look pretty limited and they need a decent start to keep an over expectant crowd off the unpopular Chairman’s back. Injury to key defender Steven Taylor who could be out for 3 months does not help matters.

United have won 13 and drawn 3 of the last 16 head to heads though Newcastle did take a point (0-0) from their last visit to Old Trafford which ironically came on the opening day of the 2008/09 season.

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