English FA CUP
2013-02-18 - Manchester United vs Reading
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English FA Cup
Monday 18 February 2013 - Kick Off 8pm
This game is live on TV
Manchester United
There is no doubt that the FA Cup is the lowest priority for Manchester United out of the three competitions left, but don't think that means they believe it is a distraction from bigger prizes. Sir Alex Ferguson has been speaking about how important the FA Cup remains, particularly as it has been almost a decade since United, the team who have won this competition the most times, have last lifted this trophy.
Manchester United should be confident and taking this game seriously enough as they have built a very healthy lead in the Premier League over Manchester City, while they have a 1-1 draw from Spain against Real Madrid in the Champions League. The draw for the FA Cup also sees United having back to back home games to reach the Semi Finals and there is no doubt that this is a winnable competition for them. The side have already beaten West Ham United and Fulham here in the Cup this season.
Thanks to an inspired performance from David De Gea, Manchester United earned a draw at Real Madrid and now are unbeaten in their last 15 games in all competitions. United have been particularly tough to play at Old Trafford where they have won 8 in a row in all competitions and they will want to win their next 2 games here before the second leg against Real Madrid and keep their momentum.
Paul Scholes is missing, while there are clear suggestions that changes will be made to the team that played against Real Madrid. I expect the likes of Nemanja Vidic, Alexander Buttner, Chris Smalling, Tom Cleverley, Anderson, Nani, Ashley Young, Antonio Valencia and Javier Hernandez will be hoping for starts. Robin Van Persie has requested he is picked, but I'd be surprised if the Dutchman is given anything better than a spot on the substitutes bench.
Reading
Survival in the Premier League is the main goal for Reading this season and recent form has certainly suggested they are capable of doing so. However, the Cup run could be seen as something that has kick-started the Reading survival charge and so I doubt Brian McDermott will want his side to lie down and go out without putting up some sort of a fight.
The side do have a very important game at the weekend when they host Wigan Athletic as both Reading and the Latics are currently in the bottom three of the Premier League. While Manchester United had to beat Premier League opposition to reach the Fifth Round of the FA Cup, Reading won 1-3 at Crawley Town and then beat Sheffield United 4-0 at home.
Reading had been unbeaten in 6 games in all competitions to spark their run to the Fifth Round of this competition and also give them a chance to survive in the Premier League. However they were beaten 2-1 at Stoke City in their last game and have lost 7 of their last 9 away games in all competitions.
Jimmy Kebe and Mikele Leigertwood are both doubtful and may not be risked ahead of the big game with Wigan Athletic. Jason Roberts and Alex McCarthy are both absent, but Noel Hunt and Adam Le Fondre should be available.
Head to Head
Reading and Manchester United played out a crazy game at the Majedski Stadium earlier this season as United won that game 3-4 with all the goals being scored in the first half.
This will be the first time they have met at Old Trafford since the 2007/08 season when they played out a goalless draw.
That means the last two games at Old Trafford between these sides have ended in draws, including a 1-1 result at this stage of the 2007 FA Cup.
Prediction
Manchester United look very short considering they are expected to make a fair few changes to the first team that started in Spain last Wednesday night. However, it wouldn't be a huge surprise if Reading made a few changes themselves with a big game against Wigan Athletic next on deck for them.
The handicaps are tough to get a read on as you are likely going to need a 3 goal United win to get a full payout- a normal choice United team may have a chance to do so, but the changes to be made does make it tough to pick against the handicap with any confidence.
Even the over/under total goals in this match looks a little high and that leads me to the pick I'll make for this game. Changes to both sides could make this contest a little disjointed at times and that may make it tougher for either side to create a lot of chances and thus score a lot of goals.
The 2.45 being offered by Ladbrokes that United win this game and there are fewer than 3.5 goals looks reasonable to me as the 1-0, 2-0 and 2-1 score lines in favour of the home team are very much in play here.
My only concern would be a 2-1 scoreline late in the game and Reading being caught on the counter attack for the over in this one and judging by late goals against Cardiff City and Everton at the weekend means I'd definitely factor in for that happening.
The Pick :
Manchester United 2-0 Reading
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back Manchester United to win and under 3.5 goals to be scored (The Total Result) @ 2.45 (Ladbrokes)
