Manchester United lucked out with a very favorable Champions League playoff draw. Then they were even more fortunate in their Champions League Group stages draw. There’s really no excuse for them not to advance to the knockout round, not with all their resources.
If they do fail here, then there needs to be some serious heat on Manager Louis van Gaal.
Soccer Power Index gives United a 68% chance of advancing, the highest of any four teams in Group B. Although Wolfsburg is right behind them with 67%. Bet365.com gives United 2-7 odds of reaching the knockout round, with Bet365.com giving Wolfsburg 8-15.
All the ESPN FC pundits picked Manchester United to reach the knockout stages, and the schedule opposition grants them a tremendous opportunity here. You can’t say the same about Arsenal and Manchester City, who are mired in really tough groupings.
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and writes The Sports Bank.net, which is part of the FOX Sports Engage Network. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times,currently contributes to the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition.He also appears regularly on numerous talk radio stations all across the country. Catch him Tuesdays on KOZN 1620 the Zone.
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