Born in the south east of Ireland, Simon put his life-long love of football to good use when he started a successful independent blog in 2010. That opened up an alternative route to a career in journalism, and having had work published across a number of sites and publications, Simon joined the staff at Spotlight Sports Group in 2018.
Following their promotion from the Championship last season, Wolves quickly established themselves as one of the most tactically robust and cohesive units in the division, eventually finishing in a hugely respectable 7th spot.
As part of their rapid rise, Wanderers developed a knack for making life tough for the league’s leading lights, and Wolves’ bite was felt by Manchester United more than most.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s men tore chunks out of United’s domestic campaign in 2018/19, taking 4 points from 6 against them in the league, and dumping them out of the FA Cup at the Quarter Final Stage.
On Monday evening, Wolves welcome United back to Molineux, keen to prolong the psychological hold they have over Ole Gunner Solskjaer’s outfit.
United will feel like they have a few scores to settle however, and that should ensure that Monday’s game is one of the most captivating contests of the week.
Check out our range of betting tips for Wolves meeting with Man United below.
Both Teams to Score – 10/11
Wolves got the better of United in the trio of encounters between the clubs in league and cup last season, though the games themselves were decided by narrow margins.
Man United and Wanderers drew 1-1 at Old Trafford in their first meeting in late September last year, while Wolves secured back-to-back 2-1 wins against United at Molineux in March and April respectively.
Chances were created and converted by both teams in the series of fixtures between Wolves and United in 2017/18, and we expect that pattern to continue on Monday.
Both teams scored in each of the skirmishes between Wolves and United since Wanderers’ promotion last summer, and we’re tipping that perfect BTTS record to be maintained this week.
We publish new both teams to score betting tips with fresh fixtures to choose from every day on our dedicated BTTS page. Make sure to check it out!
Diogo Jota to score anytime – 11/4
Diminutive Portuguese attacker Diogo Jota was constant thorn in Man Utd’s side last season. The 22-year old scored crucial goals in each of Wolves’ 2-1 victories over Solskjaer’s men at Molineux in 2018/19, and his electric movement and penetrative play proved a combination too hot to handle for United’s rearguard.
Jota had a poor day at the office in Wolves’ 0-0 draw at Leicester City last weekend, though his early form at Molineux this season has been much more promising.
Jota got on the scoresheet in each of Wolves’ Europa League qualification round home matches against Crusaders and Pyunik respectively, and we think his current form and recent record against United makes him well worth considering in the anytime goalscorer market.
Luke Shaw to get booked – 7/4
24-year old fullback Luke Shaw was Manchester United’s most prolific hatchet-man last season, amassing 11 Premier League yellow cards in total during a foul-laden campaign.
Like many of his United teammates, Shaw didn’t have the best of times in games against Wolves in 2018/19, and the former Southampton starlet found the going particularly tough at Molineux.
Two abject performances from Shaw at Wolves’ home were compounded by yellow cards in each of United’s 2-1 defeats there, and that pair of dismal displays will be weighing heavy on the defender’s mind ahead of his latest trip to the West Midlands.
It’s worth noting that 8 of the 11 yellow cards shown to Shaw in the Premier League last season were brandished in away games, and we think the England international looks great value to get booked again on Monday.
Over 4.0 Asian total cards – 19/20
Luke Shaw wasn’t the only player to have his name taken by an official in Man Utd’s scraps with Wolves last season.
After the relatively tepid first fixture between the teams at Old Trafford last September where only 2 players were booked, tensions between the sides threatened to reach boiling point in their brace of battles at Molineux in 2019.
8 players were carded in Wolves’ FA Cup triumph over United in March, while a combined 5 yellows and 1 red card were shown to the combatants in April’s Premier League fixture.
With battle lines already drawn between these teams, Monday’s latest face-off promises to be just as feisty.
Taking into account the factors at play, the prices available in the over 4.0 Asian total cards market look incredibly generous.
Under 11 total corners – 4/6
While Wolves’ games against United last season were high on action, they were relatively low on corner kicks.
A total of 9 corners were awarded in the teams’ 1-1 Premier League draw at Old Trafford, and just 8 corner kicks were taken in the return league fixture at Molineux.
And while the corner count of 16 from Wolves’ FA Cup meeting with United was certainly high, it was the outlier in a season where the corner per game averages for the teams for the entire season stood at 10.13 and 10.15 respectively.
Last weekend, in the opening round of Premier League fixtures, a combined 8 corners were won by United and Chelsea at Old Trafford, and even though 15 were awarded in Wolves’ draw at Leicester, Wanderers accounted for only 3 of them.
Based on the statistical evidence, we think there is value to be had in backing under 11 total corners to be racked up at Molineux on Monday.
Wolves’ match vs Manchester United will be screened live on Sky Sports on Monday. Check out our regularly guide to find more of the latest televised football fixtures and steams.
