Manchester United tackle Tottenham in Premier League season opener
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The Premier League returns for the 2015/16 campaign, and kicking off the new season are title hopefuls Manchester United, who welcome Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham to Old Trafford.
After another summer spending spree, Red Devils boss Louis van Gaal will be aiming to mount a serious assault on the domestic title, and are 11/4 with Coral to start off victorious with both teams scoring.
Although, Spurs will be targeting a successful start to their campaign, as competition for European positions this term could prove to be extremely tough.
Harry Kane was the main man last season and is 10/1 to fire his side to success on their travels, having become the first Tottenham frontman to score 30 or more goals since Gary Lineker in 1991/92.
United boss Van Gaal dropped a major hint that his number one stopper David de Gea will depart soon, having declared that the Spaniard will not be considered for selection against Spurs, stating: “David shall not play so I don’t have any concerns [about him not being ready].
“I think about the human being more than the player and I don’t think he can handle that.”
The Spain international could be replaced by new signing Serio Romero, with the Argentina stopper having arrived from Sampdoria this summer.
Wayne Rooney is set to skipper the Red Devils on the top flight’s return this year, having ended last term on a great run of goalscoring form, and he is 9/4 to strike anytime during a home victory, having netted in the last meeting in March.
Van Gaal’s stalwart skipper has struck more goals in the opening weekend than any other current Premier League player, proving that Spurs’ possible all-Belgian central defensive pairing of Jan Vertonghen and new signing Toby Alderweireld will have to be on red alert. They are 11/2 to help keep a clean sheet.
The travelling outfit have lost 18 of their 23 trips to Old Trafford since 1992, but managed to triumph at the venue in two of the previous three campaigns. Pochettino’s men are 5/1 to stun the title hopefuls, with the Red Devils’ defeat to Swansea City last term their first on the opening day since 1973.
Plenty of Van Gaal’s other new acquisitions are expected to start, but the Dutchman is unpredictable with his line-ups, though he possesses almost a fully fit squad to choose from, as Anders Lindegaard and Javier Hernandez are his only absentees.
Deadly Dutchman Memphis Depay is almost a certain starter and could potentially become the next Old Trafford hero, filling the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009, and he is 5/1 to open proceedings.
Pochettino will be without injured shot stopper Hugo Lloris, as he is suffering from a fractured wrist, while Andros Townsend is a doubt after missing pre-season.
Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger are set to feature in the midfield, with the latter German World Cup winner a 5/1 chance to get his first United goal on a potential debut.
Despite appearing to have plenty more funds to spend, Van Gaal has opted to refrain from signing a new centre back, with Daley Blind set to partner Chris Smalling in the rearguard, as Marcos Rojo appears to be in the dark over his future.
This could be music to Kane’s ears, as he aims to pick up where he left off last season and fire Tottenham to further success.
Coral’s best bet:
