ENGLISH FA CUP BETTING PICK - MIDDLESBROUGH V MANCHESTER UNITED FC

English FA CUP

2007-03-10 - Middlesbrough vs Manchester United FC

A Sports Betting Pick by Cruiser

Analysis:

Middlesbrough heads into this match having needed replays in each of the three previous rounds and penalties in the last two to defeat lower league sides but they come into this match with only one defeat from 14 games in all competitions. Interestingly they have not yet met a Premiership side until being paired with Manchester United. Boro made it past Hull in the third round and then progressed past Bristol City and West Brom on penalties.

However, last Saturday's goalless draw at Newcastle has left them lying in 12th in the Premiership, seven points adrift of a top six finish and the FA Cup in which they managed to reach the semi-finals last season looks to be their best chance of capturing a place in Europe once again.

Middlesbrough will be confident going into this match as since the 2-1 defeat to United back in December, they have not been beaten at The Riverside. Gareth Southgate will not start Roberth Huth for this match despite playing for the reserves in midweek. James Morrison is pushing Lee Cattermole for a place in the starting eleven.

As for Manchester United, they are chasing the treble this season and they currently hold a nine point lead over Chelsea in the Premiership. And in stark contrast to Middlesbrough, the Red Devils have to come past three Premiership sides in the form of Aston Villa, Portsmouth and Reading to reach the quarter-finals.

Henrik Larsson is set to play his last game for The Red Devils and just as he did against Lille in the Champions League, will hope to finish off with a goal considering that Louis Saha is out injured. Interestingly as United are short of striker with Ole Gunner Solsjkaer also out with injury, Chinese forward Dong Fangzhuo has been called into the side for the first time. Mikael Silvestre will definitely be sidelined after dislocating a shoulder against Lille.Gabriel Heinze in place of Patrick Evra who missed the midweek clash with injury.

I will go for Manchester United to win this match by most likely a goal and give the ½ ball here.

Cheers and good luck,
Cruiser

The Pick :

BEST BETTING TIP :

Take Manchester United to win this match.