David John has a couple of big-priced suggestions as Man United take on Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup.
Recommended bets: Super Cup
1pt Manchester United to win 1-0 at 12/1
1pt Real Madrid to win 1-0 at 8/1
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Manchester United v Real Madrid (1945BST, BT Sport 2)
Jose Mourinho is probably in a bit of a quandary.
Tuesday’s UEFA Super Cup in sizzling Skopje means Manchester United’s last two meaningful matches have had the potential of a trophy at the end of them.
The Portuguese will be keen to quickly follow-up their Europa League triumph on the one hand but an energy-sapping clash against arguably the best team in the world five days before their Premier League opener against West Ham is probably less than ideal.
The weather conditions certainly cannot be underplayed with the southern part of Europe experiencing a spell of extreme heat and temperatures at kick-off could still be in mid-90s.
That will trigger extended drinks breaks while 20kg of crushed ice will be available to both benches – this would be a punishing assignment for a team at the peak of their powers in the heart of the campaign rather than still trying to find their fitness in pre-season.
In a strange twist, the pair have already met towards the end of last month on another very hot day at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California as part of their friendly schedule where it is fair to assume neither gave very much away ahead of the main event.
Wholesale changes were the order of the day on a draining afternoon on that occasion and if the weary penalty shootout won 2-1 by United is anything to go by, expect to see some highly-paid athletes out on their feet in the Macedonian capital by the final whistle.
Mourinho is going to have to manage his personnel very carefully as they attempt to upset the odds and Champions League winners while at the same time not leaving their Old Trafford opener in the scorching Balkans.
He will also hope a depleted defence currently missing Eric Bailly, Phil Jones and Luke Shaw can emerge without any more issues to deal with as well.
Chris Smalling and summer arrival Victor Lindelof are on the brink of being the last duo standing in that department so expect an important role from another new boy Nemanja Matic at the base of midfield to help protect the back line.
Balanced against all that, the Super Cup is the one major trophy to elude Mourinho and despite playing a very straight bat when it came to discussing Madrid, it would be crazy to think he would not derive a good deal of satisfaction getting one over a previous employer.
Real report that Cristiano Ronaldo has been included in the squad as he potentially returns to the fray following an extended break after his involvement in the Confederations Cup.
Now 32, his game has adapted beautifully over the last couple of years to help extend a stellar career but I doubt head coach Zinedine Zidane will be in too much of a hurry to give him a serious workout in the conditions.
There is certainly a bit of educated guesswork when it comes down to selecting a bet but it is tough to imagine both sides tearing into one another.
Cancelling each other out in pedestrian fashion for 90 minutes is not much of an option either with the unwanted prospect of extra-time looming on the horizon.
I totally get the money coming in the build-up for under 2.5 total goals but I might just try and nick some profit with a small investment on victory going either way by a 1-0 margin in a bid to reach a successful conclusion for one participant before the need to go beyond regulation play.
Posted at 1747BST on 07/08/17.
Team news
Eric Bailly and Phil Jones are suspended for Manchester United's UEFA Super Cup clash with Real Madrid.
Bailly was hit with an extended UEFA ban following his sending off in the Europa League semi-final against Celta Vigo, while fellow defender Jones is ruled out after his behaviour towards doping control following the final.
Luke Shaw, Ashley Young and Marcos Rojo are recovering from long-term injuries, while Timothy Fosu-Mensah has not travelled ahead of a loan move away from the club.
Man United (from): De Gea, Romero, J Pereira, Valencia, Darmian, Blind, Smalling, Lindelof, Tuanzebe, Matic, Carrick, Fellaini, Herrera, McTominay, Pogba, Lingard, Mkhitaryan, Mata, A Pereira, Martial, Rashford, Lukaku.
Manager quotes
Jose Mourinho (Manchester United)
On facing the Champions League winners: "We are going to try (to win). That's obvious, but also obvious is the difference between the Champions League winner and Europa League winner. I keep saying that. The Europa League is very difficult to win because it's hard. You know, lots of matches, you travel, the motivation is not so high because the Europa League is not the El Dorado for the football players.
"But the top quality is obviously in the Champions League. When you get into the Champions League semi-finals, you have four of the best, I would say, five or six teams in Europe. There is a difference of quality. But, you know, it's possible. We believe that it is possible.
On availability of players: "Phil Jones, as I was expecting, the appeal would be negative. The only thing I hope is that tomorrow the team that wins, if some player wants to celebrate, if some player wants to get his medal, if some player wants to get his cup.
"If some player wants to enjoy with his team-mates, I just expect that doping committee sends somebody with him and doesn't close him in a room and doesn't forbid the guy to enjoy a special moment.
"No Phil Jones, no Eric Bailly. No Timo Fosu-Mensah because in this moment he is probably going on loan to another club, so we made the decision of not to travel. The injuries are the long-term injuries that you all know: Luke Shaw, Ashley Young, Marcos Rojo. And apart from that, everybody is available. Obviously (Nemanja) Matic is available but not available like the others."
Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid)
On Cristiano Ronaldo: "There has been a lot of noise, a lot of things happening, but he is relaxed. He is relaxed and what impresses me the most is that physically he is as fit as the day of the (Champions League) final. So how long is that? Two months ago already.
"Really what interests me in the long run, what interests me, him, and everyone else is that - that he is fit. As to the rest, there's not really much we can do about it. The fact that he is with us, this means a lot because after three days if he is with us, it is because he is ready to play. And then, well, we'll see if whether he plays or not, but the important thing is he is here with us."
Ronaldo was key in June's Champions League triumph against Juventus - victory that gives them the chance to become the first side since AC Milan in 1990 to retain the Super Cup.
When asked about Mourinho's Real Madrid side compared to the current one: "I think there is no difference. Everyone has his own way of training, coaching and doing things, but I think there is no difference between one team and another team.
"The only thing here at Real Madrid is that you have to give 100 per cent on the field, on the pitch. We know the obligations each and every one of us had.
"I think Mourinho has done excellent work in Madrid and I think I am doing good work as well. I think everyone tries to do their job well. But that doesn't really mean anything. I've won two Champions Leagues which is fantastic, but in the long run it doesn't really mean anything.
"Someone said before that I'm a genius as a trainer, but I think that's all silliness. I try to do the most I can, I like to do what I like. I think every coach does more or less the same in their own style. In Madrid, all the coaches have fantastic players available to them. Always, that has been the history of that club. It has always been that way and it will always be that way."
