Man United vs Wolves prediction, odds, betting tips and best bets for Premier League opener at Old Trafford
Manchester United begin a season of high hopes against an opponent just looking to stay afloat as the Red Devils host Wolves at Old Trafford.
Erik ten Hag plugged expensive holes in the squad this summer and now looks to guide United towards what they hope to be a challenge for trophies this season. With rivals Manchester City holding a firm grip on the Premier League title over the past few years, United will look to be a top competitor to that mantle atop the table.
It starts with these 90 minutes as the Old Trafford crowd can welcome the new campaign in earnest. There were signs of concern through a patchy preseason, but they can put that firmly in the rear-view mirror with three points here.
Wolves, meanwhile, are hoping to retain their Premier League status for another season. After finishing 13th last term, they are a popular pick to go down after losing a number of key players this summer. They suffered further upheaval with manager Julien Lopetegui departing just days before the season began, and Gary O'Neil had to be signed in a hurry to establish some leadership as the fixtures arrived.
Man United vs Wolves match facts
- Date: Monday, August 14
- Kickoff Time: 3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. BST / 5 a.m. AEST (Tue, Aug. 15)
- Location: Old Trafford (Manchester, England)
- Official: Simon Hooper
- Last meeting: Man United 2-0 Wolves (May 13, 2023 | Premier League)
Man United vs Wolves prediction, odds
- Moneyline lean: Man United (-350)
- Handicap lean: Man United -1.5 (-130)
- Score prediction: Man United 3-1 Wolves
Manchester United are understandably heavy favourites as they begin their 2023/24 season at home against a team largely expected to be in the upcoming relegation scrap.
The Red Devils open their Premier League campaign at home for the third straight season. They fell to Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford last year, after having beaten Leeds United and Burnley the two previous years. Wolves began 2022/23 with defeat at Leeds, winning just one of their opening 10 league fixtures.
Man United vs Wolves: best bet
- Pick: Over 3.5 total goals
- Odds: +140 (BetMGM)
Manchester United should get this season going with a bang, and they could hit this admittedly very high bar themselves, but there's also reason to believe Wolves will contribute here, even in consolatory fashion.
The Red Devils showed some defensive frailties in preseason, with even Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez making uncharacteristic mistakes. Preseason is where those errors can be worked out, but if they bleed into the new campaign, it's possible that United will have to outscore their opponent.
Man United vs Wolves prop bet
- Pick: Bruno Fernandes anytime assist
- Odds: +180 (FanDuel)
Bruno Fernandes, quite simply, was robbed last season. He created more chances than anyone in the Premier League (more than Kevin De Bruyne), and picked up more expected assists (xA) than anyone in the Premier League (more than Kevin De Bruyne), but finished with just eight assists as the Manchester United forwards floundered in front of net.
United do not yet have new striker Rasmus Hojlund to deploy up front, which means those same wasteful players will again take the field, but it's a new season and 2022/23's underperformance in front of net can be chalked off as good players coming up short. Finishing is a fickle thing, and the likes of Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho should prove a threat — and if electric young winger Alejandro Garnacho plays, even better.
Wolves lost Ruben Neves, and his replacements in the No. 6 position are not of the same caliber. While Mario Lemina can do a job, it'll be tough to keep Fernandes at bay here, and he should cook up some delicious meals.
