Burnley v Manchester United

Ardent followers of the Premier League will recall how newcomers Burnley managed to pull of incredible victories against seasoned teams like Chelsea and Arsenal last year. Their nascent Premier League ambitions were brutally cut short by Tottenham in the semi finals. Burnley returns to the Premier League this year, having signed up promising Scottish international Steven Fletcher, in the midst of much expectation. However, the team has more or less failed to live up to the hype and, to a large extent, been unable to replicate their previous year’s success. They have lost 5 of their 6 pre season encounters, having managed to notch up a victory only against Sheffield United. Overall, bookmakers predict that their odds of winning the Premier League on current form are pretty slim, about 10000:1. Bookmakers at Sky Sports predict that the team will most likely finish 20th on the points table.

The Burnley team is packed with some fine young players including Stephen Fletcher but their relative lack of experience has definitely been a cause for concern. Game analysts believe that Stephen Fletcher could be the highest scorer for the club this season. Another new entrant, the Ecuadorian Fernando Guerrero all of 19 years of age and the club’s sixth new signing this season, has spent an impressive season with Real Madrid. Club manager Owen Coyle believes that Guerrero has ‘unbelievable potential’ and the team will definitely benefit from the presence of this young talent. Guerrero joins other new signees like David Edgar, Stephen Fletcher, Richard Eckersley, Tyrone Mears and Brian Easton for Burnley’s Premier League outing this year. No doubt that Burnley has got some serious talent, but whether this talent will translate into a victory is what remains to be seen. Betsson has a 10% bet for home and 20% for a draw and 70% for Away.

Contrasted with that Premier League stalwart Manchester United is on a pre season high, having creamed the opposition in the past. However minus star performer Christiano Ronaldo, speculation has been rife as to whether last year’s winners will be able to hold on to their title. Manchester United won their third successive Premier League last year; they would definitely want to carry on the momentum this season too. Ronaldo has made way for ex-Wigan player Antonio Valencia. Valencia has definitely shown some promise in the preseason friendlies. However, it is widely believed that the exit of Ronaldo could have a positive effect on the game Wayne Rooney. Wayne Rooney looks like he is in top form and has capitalized in the central position, which he had often given up to Ronaldo. As such, even though at first sight Manchester United might seem depleted without Ronaldo the sheer depth of their playing side continues to remain their biggest strength. Bookmakers peg a 2/1 odds of Manchester United winning the title this year. New signing Michael Owen is 10/1 for being the League’s top scorer this season.

With the duo set to clash on the 19th of August there is little argument that the favorites to win the match are definitely Manchester United. According to experts at Statto.com current odds for Burnley winning are at 7.4/1 and for Manchester United are at 1.39/1. Odds for a draw stand at 3.95/1. Betbrain.com puts the advantage firmly in favor of Manchester United with a 70% probability of victory. Burnley has a 10% chance of victory and the possibility of a draw stands at 20% according to them. Burnley would definitely benefit from going in as underdogs with virtually zero burden of expectation to contend with.