Upcoming Match-ups

EPL Odds: Reinvigorated Man U Open Season Vs West Ham

Don Aguero

by Don Aguero in Soccer News

Updated Jan 17, 2018 · 9:38 AM PST

Joey O'brien at West Ham
Photo Credit: Josh JDSSCC License

Manchester United (-325) vs West Ham (+1200), Draw (+500)

After an incredibly interesting offseason, the 2017-18 Premier League calendar kicks off this week. Title hopefuls Manchester United start their slate by welcoming West Ham to Old Trafford on Sunday (August 13th).

After a disappointing 2016-17 season, Manchester United finished in sixth place but still managed to salvage a spot in the Champions League after winning the Europa League. That was all they really needed to set themselves up for this season. Offering a chance to play in the Champions League as well as a ridiculous amount of cash, Man U were able to clean up over the summer transfer period.

With Zlatan Ibrahimovic out with a serious knee injury, United recruited Everton star Romelu Lukaku for a whopping €84.7 million to replace their aging striker. They also poached Chelsea’s Nemanja Matić (€44.7 million) to man the midfield alongside Paul Pogba, and acquired the young Victor Lindelöf (€35 million) for some talent on the back-line.

 

 

Their recent match against Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup final gave the Red Devils a lot to be excited about. Despite losing 2-1, Man U put on a great display. Lukaku quickly found his groove within the United lineup and scored their only goal, and Matic outshined Pogba in midfield. Lindelöf had a relatively uneventful game, but he still has a lot of time to settle in. On the whole, the new Manchester United side looks more than ready to kick off the new season.

West Ham are coming off a disappointing 11th-place finish (12-9-17) and a concerning -17 goal differential. Like United, the Hammers signed some big-name players over the summer, but their new recruits skew a little on the older side — Chicharito (29), Marko Arnautovic (28), Pablo Zabaleta (32), Joe Hart (30).

Age shouldn’t be too big of an issue this season, but their new signings are a short-term solution to a long-term problem. With an average age of almost 28, West Ham are going to find themselves in trouble down the road.

While the Hammers lineup has improved since last season, especially compared to their post-Dimitri Payet squad, it pales in comparison to the squad United are fielding. The Red Devils broke the bank over the summer to improve on all three lines, and the new Man U attack — Lukaku, Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford — is already showing chemistry. It had some difficulty penetrating the Madrid defense, but against West Ham, they will have a much easier time. Take United to kick off the year with a win at home. 

Pick: Manchester United (-325)

Author Image