Manchester United are long odds-on at 1.25 to beat Wigan at Old Trafford, and if the stats are anything to go by they should have little difficulty in doing so in what is likely to be a wide margin success.

The Red Devils had won all 14 meetings in all competitions with the Latics prior to their defeat in April last season, and the visitors have also failed to score in 8 of their last 10 league games against Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.

Throw in the fact United have won 36 and lost just two of their last 41 Premier League games at Old Trafford and have dropped just two of the last 30 points available on home soil and you can see why they are worthy favourites to get the job done.

The best bet in this game though surely has to Robin van Persie to score first at 4.33 with bet365 if he makes the starting XI having limped off after 45 minutes for Holland on Tuesday.

The Dutchman has scored four times from just six shots for United, and has really looked at home since his move from Arsenal.

He has now netted 52 times in his last 28 Premier League games, and he managed to score a hat-trick for Arsenal against Wigan in January 2011.

bet365 and Betfred go a 13 about him repeating that feat, and you can also get 1.73 about him netting anytime with bet365which looks tremendous value given that he is as short as 1.33 in a place.

Also, given that Wigan have failed to score in their last 10 games against United the 2.1 on offer with Paddy Power about Sir Alex’s side winning to nil also looks well worth a punt.

I think United will win this with the minimum of fuss, and 4-0 and 5-0 appeal at 13 and 23 with bet365.