Premier League 
/ Lee Dixon / 17 March 2012 / Leave a Comment 
The hero Rooney and the unsung hero Carrick
"We could try to make a case for Wolves getting something from this game but we won’t."
Wolves are a side in a slump and Manchester United very much a team on the up. Sometimes the obvious outcome leads to obvious bets and that's probably the case here, says Lee Dixon.
If Manchester United win the Premier League his season - and they're now clear favourites to at 1.64 - then expect to hear plenty of "typical United to win without playing that well", "it was City's to lose and they did" and other such comments. But that of course is just the point. Maybe over the past few seasons Fergie's men have indeed benefited from other contenders imploding and have won matches from almost impossible positions. But if others have lost their heads, it's credit to United that they've kept theirs and managed to win ugly when they've needed to. Isn't that what being a champion is all about?
Match Odds
There are so many stories involving United players this campaign. Wayne Rooney is on track to have his most prolific season ever, Paul Scholes came out of retirement to save the day, Ryan Giggs told Father Time just what he thought of him once again, David de Gea went from laughing stock to the one who laughed both last and longest.
But let's not forget the unsung heroes. Jonny Evans has had a great season after losing his senior partner Nemanja Vidic and, that Manchester City game aside, has looked confident and composed. Michael Carrick has also been very reliable without ever doing anything too spectacular but that's just his way. Both will be key players from now until the end of the season.
We could try to make a case for Wolves getting something from this game but we won't. Opta tell us they have won just one of their last 14 Premier League games (W1 D5 L8), a run which started with a 1-4 defeat to Manchester United. Just as the hosts appear to be going through a real slump, so United seem to be at their very best at the moment. Not only do I think United will win, I think they'll so comfortably. 3-0 is my idea of the sort of scoreline we'll get here.
Manchester United clean sheet?
I've tipped 3-0 as a final score but it could easily be 2-0 or 4-0. Either way, I don't fancy Wolves to score here simply because they're not playing well enough against a team who is confident at the back and defending as a unit. A United clean sheet looks good value at [2.2].
First Goalscorer
No prizes for originality but Wayne Rooney is going through one of those runs where every time he takes a shot, it seems to go in. Only Robin van Persie looks hotter than him at the moment in this league and Rooney will be eyeing up the chance to finish as the Premier League's top scorer http://sports.betfair.com/Index.do?mi=102873735&ex=1&origin=MRL with the easier run-in. Opta tell us he's scored seven goals in his last four Premier League matches and it's worth backing him to get the opener here.
2 pts Back Manchester United to win @ [1.35]
1 pt Back Manchester United to win 3-0 @ [12.0]
2 pts Back a Manchester United clean sheet @ [2.2]
2 pts Back Wayne Rooney to be first goalscorer @ [4.5]
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