Manchester United did not show Jose Mourinho any Christmas spirit with their decision to sack him on Tuesday. Most considered Mourinho safe from the axe until January after piloting the Red Devils to the Champions League Round of 16 and moving them up the Premier League table, but the board decided that enough was enough. Interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will take over while the club looks for a permanent replacement, and he will lead them into their tilt with Cardiff City this Saturday.
Don't miss the English Premier League action from Cardiff City Stadium in Cardiff, Wales at 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 22, 2018. Catch every moment of the match live on NBC.
English Premier League Betting at BookMaker.eu
Cardiff City +519
Manchester United -191
Draw +316
Over/Under 2.5
Odds Analysis
At the start of the year, Cardiff City were one of the teams that many were calling to be relegated. The Bluebirds had arguably the least talent in the Premier League, but they have managed to pick up some key results, and they are two points out of the relegation zone near the halfway point of the season. Cardiff have won two of their last four games, knocking off both Southampton and Wolverhampton at home, while losing on the road to West Ham and Watford.
The Red Devils should have fired Mourinho two months ago. The international break would have given Manchester United enough time to find a quality replacement, but now they will be looking for a new manager over the holidays. Yes, the club has lost two matches in a row, but those losses were somewhat expected as they were on the road against Valencia and Liverpool. Draws to Crystal Palace and Southampton didn’t help his case, yet those were three weeks ago at this point.
Key Injuries
Only one player has been ruled definitively out for Cardiff City. Jazz Richards has been dealing with a hamstring issue, and he will miss the match. Joe Bennett and Danny Ward are doubtful to play here, while Greg Cunningham is listed as questionable for the Bluebirds.
Alexis Sanchez has been declared out for Manchester United. He is expected to miss another month as he recovers from a thigh injury, and the Red Devils are anticipating his return. Luke Shaw is probable to return though and that will be a boost, while Chris Smalling and Scott McTominay are unlikely to be available.
Player to Watch
Paul Pogba has been waiting for this day. No matter what lip service Pogba tries to pay, he made his feelings known on Twitter shortly after the news broke before thinking better of his reaction and deleting it. Pogba and Mourinho clashed often over the last four months, and it led to Pogba noticeably dogging it on the pitch. He was unhappy in his role as a holding midfielder and wanted to be part of the attack. With Mourinho gone, he is likely to get his wish and be more involved in the offense.
Prop Bet of the Game – Manchester United Over 1.5 Goals -158
Now that Mourinho is gone, the players are going to want to show any prospective new manager what they can do. That should mean a more fluid offense with Pogba being on the ball more, and that is likely to lead to more goals. Look for Manchester United to net at least twice.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
United’s attacking will bite them at least once, but they will be able to pack enough of a punch to grab three points. This team has been dying to play a more fluid style, and the Red Devils are now healthy enough to take advantage of their talent too. I don’t like this spot for Cardiff City at all.
English Premier League Odds: Manchester United 3, Cardiff City 1
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