English FA CUP
2009-04-19 - Manchester United vs Everton
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Manchester United
Manchester United are still in line to win all 5 trophies that they entered at the beginning of the season after their mini blip at the end of last month. They are top of the Premier League, in the Semi Final of the Champions League, the Semi Final of the FA Cup and have already placed 2 more trophies in their cabinet in the Carling Cup and the World Club Championship.
United lead the Premier League by 1 point from Liverpool although they also have an extra game to play than their rivals. United have a 22-5-4 record in the League this season, and they are 9-4-3 away from home where they have scored 20 goals and conceded 10. Only Chelsea have managed a better away defensive record than Manchester United.
The Red Devils lost back to back League games to Liverpool and Fulham but have since won 3 of 4 games to progress to the Semi Final of the Champions League and to retain their lead of the Premier League. United have won 4 of their last 5 games in all competitions away from Old Trafford,
Gary Neville and Rafael da Silva have both been passed fit but I dont think both will start the game. Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick came back from Porto with knocks but both are expected to start the game. Sir Alex Ferguson has made it clear that he will rotate his squad as United have many matches coming up this month so the likes of Carlos Tevez, Paul Scholes and Ji Sung Park should return to the side after missing Porto.
Everton
David Moyes has already done an excellent job at Everton, but he would dearly love to add a trophy to all the success they have had. They will have to do it the hard way as they have already beaten Liverpool, play United and will face the winner of Arsenal or Chelsea.
Everton's small hopes of crashing the top 4 this season were effectively ended last season when they drew 3-3 at Aston Villa but they will make the Europa Cup next season. Everton are 6th with their 14-10-8 record and they are 7-5-4 away from home where they have scored 20 goals and conceded 17. Only the top 3 and Fulham have conceded less away goals than Everton away from home this season.
The Toffees have only lost 1 of their last 11 games in all competitions and they have actually won 7 of those games. Everton have only had 1 clean sheet in their last 5 games but they havent failed to score in any of those games.
Louis Saha has a stomach virus but may be risked as Jo is cup tied. Joseph Yobo and James Vaughan have both recovered from injuries and are in the squad for this game.
Head to Head
Everton have a terrible recent record against Manchester United with only 1 win in 29 meetings between the sides since Everton beat United in the 1995 FA Cup Final.
United have won 5 of their last 6 against Everton but the last 3 victories have come by 1 goal.
The 2 sides have already met twice before this season. United won the game at Old Trafford 1-0 but it finished 1-1 at Goodison Park.
In the last 13 meetings between the sides, United have won 9 but only 3 of these have been by 2 goals or more.
Prediction
Manchester United will look to move forward in their search for history but Everton is a tough assignment for them. I think United looked sound defensively in their last match against Porto and they would be expected to deal with an Everton side that may start without a recognised striker.
Everton have impressed me with their performances this season but I feel they still lack a little bit of belief when they come up against the top 4 sides in the country. This is a big ask of them without the likes of Arteta and Jo but I think they will be set out to be hard to beat.
I think this is a going to be one of those close Semi Finals that the FA Cup seems to produce more often that not and for that reason I will play the under 2.5 goals and also a correct score on Manchester United to win 1-0.
The Pick :
Manchester United 1-0 Everton
BEST BETTING TIP :
UNDER 2.5 GOALS as the main betManchester United win 1-0 as a small punt
