Manchester United v CFR Cluj: United to ensure Gala night in Braga

Goals are expected here on Wednesday night

Mike Norman expects United to get at least a point against Cluj, which will likely see Galatasaray join the Manchester club in the knock-out stages, but what does our man believe is the best bet of the game?

It seems an age since Manchester United qualified for the knock-out stages of this season's Champions League - it was actually just four weeks ago - yet here they are still meddling in the 'who will join them' battle between CFR Cluj and Galatasaray.

Sir Alex Ferguson fielded a fringe team against the Turkish champions a fortnight ago and is expected to do so again when the Romanian side visit Old Trafford on Wednesday evening.

The task for Cluj is clear; because of inferior head-to-head results against Galatasaray in Group H they must better whatever Gala do against SC Braga in Portugal. And that means Paul Sergio's men must get at least a draw against United (and hope Gala lose) or win if the Turkish side draw in Braga.

All of this concerns United little however. Sir Alex has said he will respect the battle for second by fielding a competitive side, but don't be surprised at all if the Red Devils' midfield and attack - at least come the end of the game - is more third-string than second-string.

Star defender Nemanja Vidic is expected to play however as his return to full fitness following a knee injury gathers pace. The Serbian could form part of a strong back four with Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, and Alexander Buttner alongside. But the main focus for Sir Alex is undoubtedly Sunday's top-of-the-table Manchester derby, and therefore none of the players likely to be involved in that game are expected to be risked against Cluj.

But with the benefit of seeing United's 'fringe' team play very well in Turkey it's hard to oppose them at Old Trafford against a Cluj side struggling domestically.

Last season's Romanian champions are way off the pace this season, fully 15 points off leaders Steaua Bucharest having lost four of their last 10 league fixtures. They'll give it a go at Old Trafford - they have to - and that could pave the way for an entertaining fixture with goals at each end.

Ultimately I expect Man Utd to be too strong, but odds of just 1.684/6 in the Match Odds market for a side containing squad players and defenders returning from injury, don't appeal. Cluj can be backed at 5.85/1 with the Draw available to back at 4.216/5.

The best bet of the game is by far the Yes option in the Both teams to Score market - available to back at 1.824/5.

The thought of United not scoring at Old Trafford, especially against a relatively out-of-form and much weaker European side, is not worth entertaining so you're effectively getting odds of 1.824/5 that Cluj find the back of the net.

And when you consider that the Romanian side has netted in all nine of their Champions League fixtures this season then those odds start to look appealing.

Factor in United's much talked about defensive woes this term, and the fact that they've kept just one clean sheet in two months of football (13 league and cup games) and perhaps you can start to understand my way of thinking.

To be honest I can see Cluj scoring more than one, but at the other end they'll concede at least as many. It may be worth dutching some juicy Correct Score odds such as 2-2 (19.018/1), 3-2 (28.027/1), 3-3 (75.074/1), and 4-2 (55.054/1)

But the safest option is simply to back the Over 3.5 Goals and Over 4.5 Goals options at 2.962/1 and 5.59/2 respectively.

Don't forget to keep yourself updated on the score in Portugal because the longer that game goes with Galatasaray in with a chance of taking a point, the more Cluj will have to go for the win in Manchester, and that just increases that chances of a goal-filled game.

Recommended Bets

Back Both teams to Score @ 1.824/5
Back Over 3.5 Goals @ 2.962/1
Back Over 4.5 Goals @ 5.59/2