Premier League: Revived Rooney can banish Baggies once again
Published:
Lee Gormley | November 6, 2015
Manchester United v West Brom
- Premier League
- Saturday, November 7th
- Kick-off: 15:00 GMT
- Old Trafford, Manchester
Man Utd host Baggies at Old Trafford
Manchester United host West Bromwich Albion at Old Trafford after ending a dismal goal-drought in midweek, and Louis van Gaal’s Red Devils will be wary of the Baggies threat, having lost out on home soil in this fixture the last two seasons.
The Baggies earned a 1-0 triumph last term on their travels to Manchester, after a 2-1 victory the prior campaign, but the hosts will be boosted after ending almost seven hours of action without a goal.
Skipper Wayne Rooney ended a run of three goalless draws with a close-range header in the Champions League win over CSKA Moscow and, with seven career strike over West Brom in 14 outings, he is 6/5 with Coral to net again anytime.
Title hopes intact
It seems their hapless form in front of net in previous outings hasn’t dinted title ambitions, having kept within touching distance of their rivals, but a second successive home defeat to the Baggies could be a damaging blow. Such a result is 9/1.
Although, Tony Pulis’ side sit down in 12th, after a worrying home defeat to Leicester City, who are placed higher than their Old Trafford opponents at this early stage, and United are 29/10 to secure three points with both teams scoring.
Evans backs Rooney on return
West Brom will become only the second team ever in the Premier League to win at Old Trafford in three consecutive clashes if they are to pick up a victory, with Man City currently holding that record.
This latest encounter at Old Trafford will be a contest between the division’s two least creative sides, with United surprisingly having sparked fewer chances than any other team and the Baggies the second worst in that regard.
United captain Rooney has come in for plenty of criticism of late after suffering a decline in form, but former teammate Jonny Evans has backed the England all-time marksman to revive fortunes, ahead of the latter’s first clash with his old club.
“Over the years top players have to prove people wrong and I’m sure that’s what he’ll [Rooney] be trying to do. He’s a fighter and I have no doubts he’ll find his form again and start scoring goals,” declared Evans.
Smalling seeks improvements
Chris Smalling has been a key cog in Van Gaal’s defensive machine, which boasts the joint-best record in the top tier, but the England centre back wants his attacking teammates to prove themselves on home turf against a stubborn Baggies defence.
“Tony Pulis has made them very solid and they don’t concede many goals, so we’re going to have to break them down,” he stated. “If we can get an early goal, I think you may see the floodgates open.”
Saido Berahino will be the visitors’ main threat and is 11/4 to net anytime, while Evans is 12/1 to strike past his former employers and previous Anfield attacker Rickie Lambert is 9/1 to open proceedings.
West Ham v Everton
- Premier League
- Saturday, November 7th
- Kick-off: 15:00 GMT
- Upton Park, east London
In-form Hammers host Martinez’s Toffees
Two sides targeting European spots collide at Upton Park, as Everton travel to east London to tackle in-form West Ham United, but the Hammers are amazingly seeking their first fixture win since 2007.
Slaven Bilic’s Londoners are 6/4 to overcome Roberto Martinez’s Toffees on home soil and end a hapless fixture run, with West Ham’s winless streak in this clash stretching back an incredible 18 games in all competitions.
Toffees hold Hammers hope
The hosts come into the game on the back of a defeat to Watford, a result which ended their impressive seven-match unbeaten run, as they now sit level with Tottenham in fifth-place.
Although, their form at Upton Park has not matched that on their travels so far this campaign, with two of the three defeats this term coming in their own backyard, giving hope to a visiting Toffees outfit.
Everton are 15/8 to secure a victory on the road, with the travelling side currently sitting in ninth spot, five points adrift of a Champions League position and nine clear from the daunting bottom three.
Attacking talent
Arouna Kone led the recent rout over Sunderland, striking a hat-trick in a 6-2 demolition, and he is 9/1 for a brace or more this time out, while England playmaker Ross Barkley is 11/4 to strike anytime.
For the hosts, Andy Carroll recently returned to goal scoring form and the towering targetman is 6/1 to net the game’s last goal, while dynamic playmaker Dimitri Payet is 11/4 to add another to his growing tally anytime.
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