Password protection removed 18.33 03/10

Manchester United take on Wolfsburg tonight in what should be an entertaining encounter. Wolfsburg have the prolific strikefore of Dzeko and Grafite and United have looked far from secure at the back so far this season. United’s home CL record is not to be underestimated (they have not lost since February 2005!) but Wolfsburg will be a threat. It’s a choice between both teams to score at evens (Coral) and over 2.5 goals at a best price 4/6. That second price is slightly skewed by United’s favouritism – so we’ll take value on Wolfsburg scoring.

Man Utd and Wolfsburg both sides to score @ Evens (Coral) – 2 points

Nottingham Forest v Scunthorpe

Forest have struggled at home this season, losing three times already, and will be desperate to turn this around. They have tightened up at the back (conceding only four goals in their last five games) and with Rob Earnshaw returning for this one will hope to start scoring at the other end. Scunthorpe are an unpredictable side but have doubts over influential striker Gary Hooper, whose absence will severely blunt them. This could be a tight encounter, with Scunthorpe playing for a draw – and under 2.5 goals looks the bet.

Forest v Scunthorpe under 2.5 goals @ 4/5 (widely available) – 2 points

Wolfsburg v Portsmouth

Wolfsburg are in good form (won 5 of 6 Bundesliga games, and two from two in the UEFA) – but as are Portsmouth, unbeaten in five including drawing with AC Milan.

Portsmouth need a win to have any chance of progressing, and I see them really going for it – with Crouch, Defoe et al they certainly have goals in them. Their last 3 games in all competitions have been 3-2, 2-2, 2-2, so they’re scoring but also conceding.

Wolfsburg’s two UEFA games have been 3-2 and 5-1 – and aside from their recent 0-0 draw with Dortmund, Bundesliga results have been 4-1, 2-3, -0 so there are lots of goals going into this one.

I see it as an open game, Portsmouth attacking as they really need a win, and Wolfsburg having the quality to hit them on the counter attack.

Over 2.5 Goals Wolfsburg v Portsmouth 1.91 (Betfair)

In the same game, I would be inclined to back a late goal – Portsmouth conceded 2 late to AC Milan in their last UEFA outing, and have also conceded late to Hull and Wigan recently – as well as scoring late to win at Blackurn last weekend.

Wolfsburg produced a stunning comeback to beat Braga in stoppage time in their last UEFA Cup game, and also scored late against Stuttgart in their penultimate Bundesliga game.

Its relatively difficult to find games where either of them haven’t scored or conceded late, in fact!

With this likely to be an open game, with Porstmouth pushing for a results, there is a good chance goals will come late – and its the form.

Portsmouth will be nervous, having conceded late to deny them victory at AC Milan, and likely to waver with victory in sight – conversely, if not winning, they’ll push for it which will leave them open.

Time of the last goal later than 74th minute: 5/6 (Paddy Power)