Richard Walker / 22 November 2008 Free Bet

What a game we've got here.

I must explain, I'm not running my life around every single live football match - but there's ones which jump out at you as must-views and Martin O'Neill's ever-emerging Villa make this an unmissable proposition.

First things first, this surely, surely, surely has to have goals about it. If you're account's not enhanced come half-seven this Saturday evening - having got involved at [1.92] in backing Over 2.5 goals - then we will have watched an unusually defensive game between these two up-and-at-em types.

Unders is [2.02] but I'll be against that scenario, with the only tiny crumb of doubt the particularly negative set-up O'Neill employed when Liverpool were frustrated into a goalless draw in the Second City.

As always, both sides are hoping their internationals return reporting a bill of health cleaner than Theo Walcott calling up Arsene Wenger to say: "Sorry boss, just put my shoulder out, should be back in a few months". I don't have much pity left for the greedy Premier League giants in general - but compensation has to await in cases like this, no?

My eye keeps getting drawn to the [1.8] Match Odds to back a United victory. While not absolutely convinced of this outcome, I'm a confirmed 'value-seeker' and I reckon they ought to be a good few ticks down from there - at something under [1.50].

So make hay here, since this inflated price also sees things like United/United in the Half-Time/Full-Time market rock up at [2.9] to back. If [1.8] isn't your cup of tea, my suggestion is that Sir Alex's side will be ahead at the break.

The Draw is at [3.9] and the hosts - well capable of springing a surprise with pace to trouble the division's third-meanest rear-guard - at something like [5.2]. If I could convince myself that Villa would concede less than United, I'd play both of these...but, crucially, I can't.

And for all that they're fifth, the Villains have only beaten the likes of Blackburn, Sunderland and the melancholy Man City at home thus far. A Liverpool draw was decent, but failing to beat Portsmouth or Middlesbrough doesn't convince me their home form's good enough.

There's also the Cristiano Ronaldo factor. He seems to be somewhat more settled than in previous weeks, with six goals in his last four Premier League appearances testifying to a player enjoying his football again. Take him at around [3.0] in the To Score (at any time) market. He's in good form - I expect it to continue.

I wouldn't put you off a few Villa names, mind. Set-piece specialist Ashley Young will be around [5.5] in the same list, well worth consideration. While heading maestro, centre-half Martin Laursen, might exploit Edwin van der Sar's less than convincing aerial prowess at a corner or something. He'll be roughly [10.0] to feature on the scoresheet at some point.

Having nailed the Correct Score last Saturday tea-time when Chelsea won 3-0 at West Brom, I'm in buoyant mood about this market. The [17.0] about 3-1 United looks nice, with a 3-2 cover at the more rewarding [30.0].

I'm banking on goals, goals, goals. Now Mr O'Neill, don't go all defensive on us!