Difficult to envisage anything other than wins for the top three in the Premier League on Wednesday night and two of them actually seem to represent value, even at odds on.
Manchester United’s surge to a twentieth English title has been relentless in the past two months and, having trailed rivals City by five points not so long ago, it is surely now when, not if, they are crowned champions again.
A routine win for United over QPR last time out cranked up the pressure on Roberto Mancini’s side and the Citizens stumbled once more when beaten at The Emirates by Arsenal just hours later. The gap is now eight points and it would be a surprise if the Red Devils slipped up at Wigan.
The Latics themselves are fighting for Premier League survival and, while recent improvement has seen them beat Liverpool and Stoke, before an unlucky loss at Stamford Bridge last time out, Wigan lack the quality to trouble the very best in the top flight.
United arrive at the DW Stadium riding high, it’s 34 points from a possible 36, and I’d have them no bigger than 1.30 to edge ever closer to yet more silverware under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Domestic triumph for Fergie in 2012 would rank among his greatest achievements and while long time adversary, Arsene Wenger, won’t be holding aloft any trophies come the end of the season the Frenchman deserves an enormous amount of credit, too.
Wenger, much criticised earlier in the campaign when the Gunners were languishing, has galvanised the club and third place is now very much Arsenal’s to lose.
A trip to Wolves on Wednesday should hold no fears and Arsenal, much like United, should be no bigger than 1.30 to claim all three points in my eyes.
The London club killed off Man City’s dwindling title hopes with an impressive display on Sunday, Mikel Arteta’s late strike proving the difference, and they could not have hand-picked better opponents in a bid to follow up.
It’s tight at the bottom of the Premier League but the exception is the men from Molineux who have become cut adrift on the back of five straight defeats and interim manager Terry Connor looks well out of his depth.
I’m not one for getting stuck into short priced favourites but the Man Utd/Arsenal double pays greater than 2.00 in a couple of places tonight and individually both clubs look value to continue their winning streaks.
3pts Back Man Utd/Arsenal Double (vs. Wigan/Wolves) @ 2.02 (Bet Victor, Paddy Power)