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Manchester United will look to keep the pressure up on Manchester City at the top of the table when they go up against a resurgent Wigan at Old Trafford on Boxing Day.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson had set his side the target of being top at Christmas in an attempt to ratchet up the pressure on their cross-city rivals, but will have to make do with trailing behind by two points in second place over the festive period.
They’ll hope to change all that when the action gets underway on Boxing Day against a Wigan side that have shown recently that they have something about them after losing eight straight games.
No team has ever lost that many games in a row in the Premier League and lived to tell the tale, but the Lactics are doing a good job of showing that records are there to be broken with a string of impressive performance recently.
Two draws against Chelsea and Liverpool have come off the back of wins against West Brom and Sunderland in recent weeks that have pushed Roberto Martinez’s side to within touching distance of moving out of the relegation zone.
Now they must face perhaps the toughest trial on offer in the Premier League, an away day in Manchester, and prove they have what it takes to avoid the drop for another year.
United go into the game after handing out the drubbing they have been threatening for some time in recent weeks, with Fulham the unlucky recipients on the receiving end of a 5-0 thrashing.
While Ferguson’s men have reacted wonderfully to their Champions League exit they go into the game somewhat destabilised by yet more injury blows.
Phil Jones and Ashley Young were both forced off against Fulham, with Jones on the receiving end of a flying Clint Dempsey that may have broken his jaw while Ashley Young, who came on to the pitch as a substitute for Jones, was soon hobbling off after a heavy challenge from Dickson Etuhu.
The absence of both English internationals adds to the growing injury list confronting Ferguson, and with Rio Ferdinand a doubt for the game against Wigan, the Scot will be forced to plumb the depths of his in order to name a competitive starting XI.
Match Winner
While Wigan may have been able to hold the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal to draws in recent weeks, the bookmakers are offering little chance of the relegation threatened minnows getting a result at Old Trafford.
Manchester United are the overwhelming favourites for the game and are placed at 1.118 (2/11) with Paddy Power, while Wigan are a long-shot at 21.00 (20/1) with Bet365 for the win.
The draw is placed at 8.00 (7/1) with VC Bet.
First Goalscorer
The fact that Manchester United sparked so dramatically into life against Fulham means a whole host of those in red shirts lead the first goal scorer market.
Wayne Rooney hit the back of the net with a thumping strike agaisnt the Cottagers and is the favourite to get proceedings underway on Boxing Day, with the England international placed at 3.75 (11/4) with Bet365.
Danny Welbeck got proceedings underway after just four minutes against Fulham and is well placed at 4.50 (9/2) with BWIN, while Wigan’s best hopes of opening the scoring comes courtesy of Connor Salmon, who is 19.00 (18/1) with Bet365.
Recommended bets
First Goalscorer: Danny Welbeck, 5.50 (9/2) BWIN
Over 4.5 goals: 9/4, VC Bet
