West Bromwich Albion versus Manchester United – Match Preview: English Premier League
Manchester United kick off their title defence by visiting the Hawthorns stadium on 14th of August, 2011. The Red Devils will look to gather all three points in their first away fixture of the new season but that is easier said than done as West Bromwich have always proved to be difficult opponents in the past. Thus let’s take a look at how both the teams will take the field at the Hawthorns stadium when they kick off their 2011-2012 English Premier League seasons...
West Bromwich Albion
West Brom were relegation candidates when http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Roberto-c31294 Di Matteo was sacked by the club last year it was a shocking dismissal that left everyone surprised. However the Baggies selected Roy Hodgson as the Italian’s replacement and from thereon in they have been impressive to say the least. Working on a limited budget with a limited squad of players, Hodgson has done his remarkably well as he has squeezed the best out of his players up till now. Last season whilst other teams were embroiled in the relegation battle, West Bromwich were vying for a place in the top half of the table.
At the end of the 2010-2011 Premier League season, the Baggies finished 11th which was quite a feat considering that the previous season was their comeback season in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Peter-Odemwingie-c29794 up front for the West midlands outfit.
Manchester United
Manchester United kick off their title defence with a trip to West midlands but Sir http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Paul-Scholes-c29394 and Edwin Van der Sar decided to retire from football altogether.
Ferguson acted quickly in the summer transfer window and replaced Van der Sar with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Federico-Macheda-c13475 so it will be interesting to see which line up Ferguson goes with for Manchester United’s first away tie of the season at West Bromwich Albion.
Team News
Reid is a sure shot absentee for West Bromwich as he is sidelined with a calf strain till the end of the August, 2011. Mulumbu, Odemwingie and Scharner are also doubts with their fitness issues but it is expected that most of them will recover in time to face off against Manchester United on Sunday afternoon.
Expected West Bromwich Albion line up: Foster, Jara, Tamas, Olsson, Shorey, Brunt, Mulumbu, Scharner, Dorrans, Tchoyi, Odemwingie
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Darren-Fletcher-c10361 is also an injury casualty as he is still making his comeback from a virus.
Expected Manchester United line up: De Gea, Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Anderson-c5565, Young, Rooney, Berbatov
Prediction
Manchester United are favourites to win this one despite the fact that West Bromwich Albion are playing on their home turf. Prediction: 1 – 2 to Manchester United.
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