Premier League: Red Devils Top Four Charge Is On!

Manchester United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

Monday night football throws up a whopper when Premier League: Manchester United vs Wolves is the entertainment on offer as the Red Devils aim to continue their top four push under their new head coach.

The Manchester United vs Wolves betting odds reckon Ralf Rangnick will continue his strong start as boss at Old Trafford. He has overseen a solid unbeaten start which has taken his team up to sixth place and four points behind fourth placed Arsenal, with two games in hand, after the Gunners were beaten at home to Manchester City on New Years Day.

Both Manchester United and Wolves have lost fixtures due to player infections as Omicron swept through the UK; and both have had players sidelined, but the hosts are in better shape with the return of Bruno Fernandes from suspension, while Wolves’ situation will be assessed over the weekend. But speaking to my Manchester United supporting mates, the appointment of Mike Dean as the referee is not popular among the Old Trafford faithful so we could see a spicy Monday night affair.

Talking Points

Ralf seems to be getting it right

La Liga

Osasuna

Athletic Bilbao

CLICK HERE

TO SEE UPDATED ODDS

Since his arrival at the Theatre of Dreams Rangnick has made some decent progress; winning his first two league games, both by a 1-0 score line, against Norwich City and Crystal Palace. They threw in a poor performance in a 1-1 draw with Newcastle but then the Red Devils successfully navigated an awkward game at home to Burnley, winning 3-1 thanks to goals from Scott McTominay, a Ben Mee own goal and another for Cristiano Ronaldo, all before half time.

It was Ronaldo’s eighth goal of the campaign and he looked altogether happier than he had when he trooped off at St James Park after frustration against the Magpies. And the nous and skill of the world-class Edinson Cavani made space in a usually tight Burnley defence for the Red Devils to breach the Clarets three times in 35 minutes. McTominay was the biggest beneficiary, firing in from distance for the opener and it was his effort which hit the bar for Ronaldo to poke in the rebound.

But the return from suspension of midfield ace Bruno Fernandes will give Ronaldo a further boost, and Rangnick will decide whether to rest Cavani, Mason Greenwood or Jadon Sancho to make room.

Wolves short on numbers

Bruno Lage’s Wolves have a lengthy injury list and the boss will be anxiously waiting for a number of COVID test results to come in before he names his side. Wolves’ game against Arsenal on Tuesday was called off after an outbreak in the squad and the visitors will also be without the injured Jonny, Pedro, top scorer Hwang Hee-Chan and Will Boly.

Premier League: Conor Coady aims to help Wolverhampton Wanderers win against Manchester United — Conor Coady after Wolverhampton Wanderers’ match against Chelsea

The All Golds have had a tough run of fixtures, including 1-0 defeats to both Liverpool and Manchester City, and 0-0 draws with Burnley and Chelsea; the only recent victory being a single goal victory away to Brighton. They rely heavily on two big characters at either end of the pitch. The returned Raul Jimenez, with three goals and two assists, is leading the line with authority while Wolves centre back and skipper Conor Coady inspires his defence with his all-action and never-say-die displays. He’s been at the club for six seasons and reckons Lage has made the team more aggressive.

I expect the United fans to spend plenty of time howling at referee Dean!

History

The Red Devils have won 13 of the 21 head to head Manchester United vs Wolves results in the 21^st century, while the All Golds have won four and there have been four draws.

Manchester United have not lost to Wolves in any of the last ten encounters at Old Trafford; and in terms of recent form the Red Devils have the edge too; winning four and drawing two of their last six games, while Wolves have won just once in that period, drawing three and losing twice.

Betting Tip

	Manchester United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers	Over 2.50 @ 1.98
	January 4, 01:30 (GMT+8)

At a SBOTOP price of 1.55 to win, Manchester United will hope their top four challenge will gather momentum while Wolves, at 6.18 will aim to cement their won top eight position.

If you believe Manchester United can come out of the blocks as quickly as they did against Burnley then a First Half bet on the hosts at -0.50 is available at odds of 2.20. Under 2.50 goals at 1.90 has merit too; with only one of the last six fixtures between these two sides yielding over one goal, but I’m backing both attacks to be in the mood and the defences to have a kind New Year spirit!