Expert Jury: United signing Ronaldo can still perform at the highest level

We asked our top team of writers and a leading odds-compiler for their thoughts on this week's big talking points and this is how they answered...

What is your best football bet this weekend?

Racing Post's Aaron Ashley: Exeter draw no bet at Scunthorpe. The Grecians have shared the spoils in four of their opening six games but draws with Harrogate, Forest Green and Bradford - League Two’s top three - read well in the context of this fixture.

Scunny lack a cutting edge with just four goals scored in six games and their defence, which is their strongest asset, has been hit with Emmanuel Onariase suspended and George Taft an injury doubt.

Racing Post's Liam Flin: Bayern Munich to beat Leipzig. The Red Bulls lost manager Julian Nagelsmann and key players Dayot Upamecano and Marcel Sabitzer to Bayern this summer and have made a disappointing start with two defeats in three games.

The Bavarians, meanwhile, obliterated Hertha 5-0 last time out and will again be the team to beat in Germany this season.

Racing Post's Ian Wilkerson: West Ham are showing no evidence of resting on their laurels after their excellent campaign last season and they look a good bet to win at Southampton.

The Hammers crushed Leicester, while the Saints have been struggling for a while. Just three wins from their last 11 league games at St Mary’s doesn’t bode well.

Betfair's Brian McDonnell: Fulham minus one against Blackpool. Fulham have covered the handicap in three of their last five fixtures and newly-promoted Blackpool have struggled to adjust back to life in the Championship with just two points from their opening five matches.

Who are the most vulnerable favourites?

Racing Post's Aaron Ashley: Lyon are finding life tough without Dutch hero Memphis Depay and make little appeal at odds-on hosting Strasbourg on Sunday.

Les Gones have won only one of their opening four games and their first two fixtures at the Groupama Stadium have seen them held to score draws with Brest and Clermont. Strasbourg pack a punch in the final third and can stifle the favourites.

Racing Post's Liam Flin: Peterborough have not made a great start to their Championship return but they have performed better than Sheffield United, who are too short at odds-on this weekend.

The Posh took four points from their opening two games and only narrowly lost to West Brom and Preston, while the Blades are winless from their first five fixtures and look uncertain of their best side with 21 players already used this term.

Racing Post's Ian Wilkerson: Sheffield United have scored one goal in five games since they fell into the Championship and it takes a huge leap of faith to back them at short odds these days.

They face Peterborough at Bramall Lane and West Brom needed a 94th-minute goal to see them off in their last outing. Darren Ferguson’s side could be stubborn enough to get something as the pressure grows in South Yorkshire.

Betfair's Brian McDonnell: Liverpool away to Leeds. There are doubts about the participation of the Brazilian trio of Allisson, Fabinho, Firmino so Jurgen Klopp's team could be vulnerable.

Leeds look set to be missing Raphina, but the same fixture last season finished 1-1 and I’d be wary throwing the Reds into accas this weekend.

How will Cristiano Ronaldo do at Manchester United this season?

Racing Post's Aaron Ashley: Ronaldo is 36 but I see no reason why he won’t continue to defy all logic. The Portuguese talisman has tweaked his game the older he has got and as the focal point for Manchester United should get plenty of opportunities.

He was top scorer in Serie A last season with 29 goals - five more than Romelu Lukaku managed with title winners Inter - and will be backed by a strong supporting cast at Old Trafford.

Racing Post's Liam Flin: His role will be different to when he was a zippy winger under Sir Alex Ferguson but that does not mean he will be any less effective.

He remains one of the most lethal goalscorers on the planet and with the likes of Jadon Sancho, Bruno Fernandes and Luke Shaw around him, he will cause opponents plenty of problems in more of a target-man position.

Racing Post's Ian Wilkerson: It is a signing that tells you everything you need to know about what is valued more at Old Trafford - commercial success or trophies.

Of course, he has been a brilliant player but Juventus didn’t exactly bust a gut to keep him, his inclusion could hold back the development of younger players and he’s a huge personality for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to deal with. And you’re a hero as long as you stay away. I don’t think he will turn them into title winners.

Betfair's Brian McDonnell: I'm sure he'll do more than any other 36-year-old could do. I expect him to be rested regularly. I’d imagine he’ll get 15-20 goals in all competitions with nearly half of them being penalties.

He might not hit more than 25, but he’ll score some important match winners.

Is it time for the UK 3pm TV blackout to go?

Racing Post's Aaron Ashley: No. Times may have changed but I still think this would be damaging for clubs further down the footballing pyramid.

The most loyal Football League supporters are unlikely to ditch their own clubs’ matches to watch Ronaldo on Sky but casual observers certainly would. If a big-six side were televised during Saturday’s 3pm slot, it would hit attendances hard, particularly away support.

Racing Post's Liam Flin: After the 18 months or so lower-league clubs have had, everything must be done to protect them but I don't feel ditching the 3pm UK TV blackout would impact them as much as expected.

Non-league and EFL fans would surely attend their team's matches regardless of any live Premier League fixtures, especially given how easy it is to keep on top of it all now.

Racing Post's Ian Wilkerson: Just because Cristiano Ronaldo is making his return for United on a Saturday afternoon? No.

If broadcasters thought there was a demand for live 3pm Saturday Premier League football, why was the slot used for the lowest-profile matches during the pandemic?

There is live football available morning, noon and night. If you want live football at 3pm on a Saturday, pop down to your local non-league club and watch them. They’d love to see you.

Betfair's Brian McDonnell: No. It would lead to slight decreases in lower league attendances each week, but the cumulative effect of this over time could be detrimental to the income of lower-league clubs.

Give us a winner on the midweek coupon

Racing Post's Aaron Ashley: Bayern Munich look a good bet to win at Barcelona on Tuesday. The Bavarians thrashed Barca 8-2 in the Champions League quarter-final two seasons ago and should have little to fear now with Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann having both left for pastures new.

Sergio Aguero and Ousmane Dembele remain sidelined, which leaves the Catalan giants relying heavily on the impact of Memphis Depay. Bayern are more settled and have a much deeper squad at present.

Racing Post's Liam Flin: I really like the look of Wolfsburg in Group G of the Champions League and they could pull off a big away win at Lille.

Wolfsburg have started the Bundesliga season with three straight wins - including a victory over Leipzig. Lille have looked lost since manager Christophe Galtier departed for Nice and also parted ways with key players Mike Maignan and Boubakary Soumare over the summer.

Racing Post's Ian Wilkerson: Lincoln defied the odds to reach the League One playoff final last season but the Imps seem to be suffering a hangover.

They have lost their last three matches and while Rotherham have fallen to Wigan and Sheffield Wednesday recently, their opponents at Sincil Bank on Tuesday don’t look up to that standard.

Betfair's Brian McDonnell: I’d be happy to back Bayern Munich at odds against at Camp Nou on Tuesday night. They are better in all areas of the pitch than Barcelona.

It’ll be Barca’s first game back since the international break and Munich might have a tough game against Leipzig on Saturday, but the extra match sharpness might be beneficial to the Germans.

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