Moyes odds-on to make winning start at United

By Mark Langdon 12:16PM 19 JUN 2013

DAVID MOYES faces a daunting task in his first five matches as Manchester United manager but he is at least odds-on to make a winning start as the Red Devils prepare for life after Sir Alex Ferguson.

First up for United is a trip to Swansea and Coral rate the champions 4-5 for maximum points, while the Welsh hosts can be backed at 9-2 to rock Moyes early doors.

The Scot would obviously love a fast start, but after the Liberty Stadium trip United face a number of difficult assignments which may harm the title favourites.

Chelsea are the first visitors to Old Trafford then United head to arch-enemies Liverpool before a cosy home contest with newly-promoted Crystal Palace and then comes the Manchester derby with Manuel Pellegrini’s City.

Bet365 make United 25-1 not to win any of their opening five contests and it’s 9-2 that Moyes’ first Premier League victory comes against Palace in their fourth match.

Chelsea are the shortest-priced team on the opening weekend with Jose Mourinho’s outfit 2-9 to beat Hull at Stamford Bridge and Ladbrokes are 7-4 that match is the first 2013-14 game shown by Match of the Day.

It’s a daunting return to the top flight for Hull and the other promoted clubs - Palace and Cardiff - also have difficult openers. Palace welcome Tottenham to Selhurst Park and Cardiff head to West Ham and Ladbrokes are 275-1 about all three winning.

Opening weekend fixtures with best prices: 2-5 Arsenal v 8 Aston Villa, 2-9 Chelsea v 16 Hull, 9-2 Crystal Palace v 4-5 Tottenham, 1-2 Liverpool v 8 Stoke, 4-11 Manchester City v 11 Newcastle, 5-2 Norwich v 13-10 Everton, 5-4 Sunderland v 23-10 Fulham, 9-2 Swansea v 4-5 Man Utd, 11-8 West Brom v 5-2 Southampton, Evs West Ham v 7-2 Cardiff.