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2010-11-30 - West Ham vs Manchester United
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football : English Carling Cup
Tuesday 30 November 2010 - Kickoff 7:45pm
This game is live on TV
West Ham United
West Ham United had a 'save our season' game on Saturday and came through with flying colours, but I think someone needs to inform them that 12 points makes them far from 'saved' this year. Avram Grant is still under pressure as the games keep coming thick and fast but this Carling Cup tie could be a welcome distraction for one night.
The Hammers have not made the most comfortable progress through this competition. It took a 90th minute goal from Scott Parker to take them through against Oxford United in the 2nd round and extra time to dispose of Stoke City in the last round. West Ham have also beaten Sunderland away from home on their way through.
The win over Wigan on Saturday was the first one for Avram Grant and his side since beating Stoke in the last round of this competition. It was also the first time they have won at home in 5 games (within 90 minutes) and improved their record at Upton Park to 2-3-3, scoring 10 goals and conceding 12.
Lars Jacobsen is out tonight as he is cup tied while Kieron Dyer is hoping he can make yet another return from injury. Scott Parker was ill during the game on Saturday and it is not clear if he will be risked tonight.
Manchester United
Manchester United had their most impressive performance of the season on Saturday as they blew Blackburn Rovers away at Old Trafford. This competition has also been good to United in recent season as they look to win it for the 3rd time in a row and they have won the Carling Cup in 3 of the last 5 seasons.
Sir Alex Ferguson continues to use the competition as a chance to give his fringe players a chance but, unlike other managers, he has chosen to use the members of his squad that need playing time rather than out and out youth players. United have beaten Scunthorpe United away from home and Wolves at home to reach this stage of the competition.
The Red Devils are 1-6-0 away from home this season in the Premier League, scoring 11 goals and conceding 10. However, United are 4-0-0 away in Cup competitions, scoring 10 goals and conceding 2.
It is clear that United will be making a number of changes to their side as the Premier League is still the priority. Wes Brown will be brought in as Captain while the likes of Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans and Federico Macheda likely to be given an opportunity.
Head to Head
Manchester United have won 6 in a row against West Ham, winning the last 5 games without conceding a goal.
United have won their last 2 trips to East London after losing back to back games there.
Prediction
Again I will begin this prediction by stating to keep stakes relatively low as it is hard to see what kind of teams the 2 managers are likely to put out.
The odds on a United away win have fallen as soon as the squad was announced, but I still expect changes to be made and quotes as low as 1.6 are not for me.
A much changed United side could struggle here to find the creativity to open West Ham up, even though the Hammers are struggling to keep teams from scoring against them. West Ham themselves may also feel they have an opportunity against a United defence that will be changed from the set back 4.
Neither team will want this game to go to extra time either, with the big Christmas period coming up, and both have seen late goals in their Carling Cup games this season. For that reason, I have decided to pick the time of the last goal to come after the 74th minute tonight.
The Pick :
West Ham United 1-2 Manchester United
