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It is not likely to be the easiest start to the season for Manchester United when they take on West Brom on the opening day, writes William Taylor.
There will be a lot of new faces on show in the game – both sides have invested wisely – so it should prove to be an exciting encounter.
The Baggies could be seen as easy takings for the big clubs, but with Roy Hodgson at the helm, easy they will not be.
When Hodgson took over the reins last season, his side’s weakness was without doubt in defence.
That will not be the case this campaign. The additions of Billy Jones and Gareth McAuley will have tightened up their defence, whilst there is no doubt that Hodgson’s arrival will have seen a change of attitude from the players already at the club.
Regardless, Manchester United, with the likes of Ashley Young and David de Gea will still go into the game as favourites.
Some bookmakers are even offering odds of 1/2 that United will come out of the game victorious.
At 6/1, West Brom will be outsiders by some distance, but a draw would be a good result for them, which is available at 3/1 with most betting shops.
Predicting the correct score in this game could turn out to be quite tricky though, and will probably depend more on United’s performance than West Brom’s.
With a more solid defence in place for the Baggies, it seems unlikely that they are going to be turned over by a huge score line.
A 0-0 draw would not be the most blistering start to a Premier League season, but that is available at 12/1 with several bookies.
Last time the two sides met at the Hawthornes, United ran out 2-1 winners, with a late goal from substitute, Javier Hernandez.
For a repeat of that result, you can get odds of 7/1 with most bookmakers.
Wayne Rooney took just three minutes to open the scoring in that game – the odds of that happening again, are 4/1.
West Brom’s new signing, Shane Long could well be the most likely first goal scorer for the home side – that is available at 9/1.
And finally, in 1969/70, United recorded their record result against West Brom, running out 7-0 winners.
It may seem unlikely, but the odds of that happening are a tasty 425/1 with some bookmakers.
Whatever happens, though, United will be looking for that all important first win, as they begin the defence of the title they won last season.
